From Publishers Weekly
Partisans of ponydom will welcome this characteristically zany picture book by Cole ( Tarzanna ; Supermoo ), as usual replete with abrupt plot twists. Winni, pressured by her vegetarian parents to eat greens at the school cafeteria, gets a brainstorm when a cafeteria worker remarks, "You'll turn into a horse if you keep eating so many carrots." Winni, who loves ponies and has been forbidden to keep one of her own, determinedly devours all her vegetables--and then some. "Very . . . slowly . . . things . . . started . . . to . . . happen," writes Cole as small watercolors portray Winni's transformation: she sprouts ears, a muzzle, shiny hooves and a tail until she's a dapple-gray pony--with blonde braids in her mane. Naturally, she's no average steed--as a racer she's unbeatable, and her name couldn't be more appropriate. Why Winni uncomplainingly allows herself to be kidnapped by a crooked racehorse trainer goes unexplained, and Cole's narrative is often choppy, but the spreads communicate the necessary elements and the perky ponies have a plump, cuddly charm. Winni's ultimate refusal to turn back into a girl (despite her mother's promise to buy her a pony) will trouble only hardened neigh-sayers. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Winni wants a pony, and when her parents refuse, she eats so many vegetables that she turns into one. She goes to live with the other ponies until she is taken to Kentucky to train as a racehorse. One night, she is stolen by a horse dealer, but escapes and drives (yes, the horse) to the racetrack. Winni recruits her father as a jockey and they beat the world record. Her parents promise to give her hamburgers and French fries so she can change back into a little girl. But Winni says "No thanks," she's having too much fun. This zany fantasy with Cole's typical tongue-in-cheek humor and lighthearted cartoons is for sophisticated youngsters, but even they may find it only vaguely humorous and not particularly memorable.
Blair Christolon, Prince William Library, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Blair Christolon, Prince William Library, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
