Runaway Pony [Hardcover]

Krista Ruepp (Author), Ulrike Heyne (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Prince, a little Icelandic pony, is growing up. He is Anna's pony. She's raised him from a foal, and loves him dearly. Whenever Anna calls, Prince comes running right to her and nuzzles her neck. Prince is still too young to be ridden, but it's time to start training him to walk with a halter and lead line. On his very first lesson, Anna accidentally walks him past a noisy tractor. Terrified, Prince rears and runs away. With her wise grandmother's help, Anna manages to find her runaway pony and, with patience and love, win back his trust.

Lush paintings of the beautiful Icelandic landscape illustrate this heartwarming story about the special bonds that can exist between horses and young riders. Fans fo the first book featuring Anna and Prince, Winter Pony, [which School Library Journal called, "a pleasant horse story with lovely illustrations that capture the rugged beauty of the Icelandic countryside,"] won’t want to miss this affecting sequel.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-In this sequel to Winter Pony (North-South, 2002), Anna is once again challenged by her headstrong horse. Although Prince is too young to be ridden, the girl is teaching him to walk with a halter and lead rope. When a tractor suddenly appears, the noise terrifies the pony and he bolts. Anna and her grandmother set off to find him, riding through lava fields and past geysers. Grandmother has cleverly brought along apples and carrots and soon has the animal calmed down and ready to return home. Having learned that training a horse requires patience and care, Anna regains Prince's trust, and this time they pass by the tractor without a problem. The panoramic watercolor illustrations featuring muted golden tones against the gray mountains, soft blue skies, and green pastures bring the beauty of the Icelandic countryside to life. The characters' facial expressions are easy to interpret and reveal the warm relationship between Anna and her grandmother and the playful one between the girl and Prince. The ponies, with their unkempt manes, are wonderfully sturdy and totally lifelike. A good choice for horse enthusiasts.-Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Set in Iceland, The Winter Pony (2002) told of Anna's pony, Prince, who left her care to join the herd for a time. In this sequel, he returns to the family farm. Anna is training Prince to walk with a halter when a loud tractor frightens him, and he bolts. Fearful for his safety, she asks Grandmother for help, and together they track the skittish pony past hot springs and across lava fields until they find him. Heeding her grandmother's advice, Anna learns to control her emotions and regains Prince's trust. Heyne makes full use of the large, double-page spreads to evoke the fresh, wild landscape of hills, rivers, geysers, and an enormous expanse of sky. Although translated from the German, this story's focus on Anna's emotions gives it universal appeal, while its setting offers a glimpse of a different part of the world. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: North-South Books (March 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735819858
• ISBN-13: 978-0735819856
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,807,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars realistically beautiful artwork, touching story!, February 8, 2010

By 

Jane F. Pedler "writer and dreamer" (new york city area) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Runaway Pony (Hardcover)

This children's book, bought as a gift for my six year old niece, is a touching, clearly and well written story of a little Islandic girl and the friendship she cultivates with her pony, who is skittish at first, and then, little by little, she wins his trust. The artwork is realistic, soothing in its scope and coloration, and evokes a true sense of place, (Iceland.) It is, I think, one of those books you read in childhood, keep for many years because you cherish it, go back to when you are older, (and too old for children's books,) and, because it is a true classic, pass it down to your own children. Highly recommended!