From School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-In this charming story, Radish, a pony, teaches his bossy little girl lots of important things, including the fact that "if she asked nicely, he would almost always do what she wanted." Then Judy grows too tall for Radish and gets a new horse, and her pony is sent to Nina, his second young rider. Although Radish misses Judy, he teaches Nina all the lessons he taught Judy, but the cycle repeats itself, and when Nina gets a new horse, Radish runs away to find his previous owner. Finally, Nina and Judy catch up with him, and Judy gets the animal a permanent job teaching young riders at the camp where she works. For years, Radish teaches young campers all his lessons, until finally Judy's own daughter begins her summer with him. The story is written in easy, direct prose that will help children make the transition from beginning readers to chapter books. The engaging tale is greatly enhanced by Apple's delightful pencil illustrations, reminiscent of Wesley Dennis's work in Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague (Macmillan, 1990) and other titles. The story is simply written, yet it has a truthful ring for anyone who knows or has owned a small pony, and Radish has loads of horse personality.-Lisa Falk, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 2-4. Judy is a small girl when Radish, a spunky red pony, comes to live with her. Judy learns to ride and care for the horse, and Radish has a loving companion--until Judy outgrows the pony. Luckily, Judy's family finds a new home for Radish, and the cycle of learning, teaching, and fun starts again with a new girl, Nina. When Nina gets too big for the pony, she and Judy find their old friend a lasting home--a riding camp, where feisty Radish helps new generations of youngsters learn about riding. With basic language, short sentences, and plenty of details about horse care and riding technique, this beginning chapter book is a sure bet for children with horse fever. Margot Apple's handsome, nostalgic illustrations of horses in action enliven nearly every page.
Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
