Pony Island

Ransom, Candice F.

ISBN 10: 080278089X ISBN 13: 9780802780898

Publisher: Walker Childrens, 2009

Synopsis

The famous wild ponies of Assateague and Chincoteague Island, presented in stunning technicolor.

Centuries ago, a Spanish shipwreck left dozens of horses stranded on Assateague Island, off the coast of Virginia. For years they were free to roam on their new island home without human contact, until the neighboring island, Chincoteague, suffered a series of fires that devastated the town. The volunteer firefighters held a special event to raise money for a new fire truck, and so began the Wild Pony Swim that continues to this day. This unique American tradition recounted in pitch-perfect rhyme will engage the youngest of readers. These world-famous ponies captured in bright, dynamic colors will sure appeal to any horse lover.

About this title

About the Author

CANDICE F. RANSOM has written over 100 books, including Tractor Day. She received her M.F.A. in writing for children from Vermont College and lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with her husband. www.candiceransom.com

WADE ZAHARES has illustrated several children's books, including Liberty Rising and Window Music, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. He graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and has been commissioned by HBO, Cinemax, The L.A. Times magazine, Family Circle, and Sesame Street magazine. He lives in Lyman, Maine. www.zahares.com

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—The mere bones of the Chincoteague ponies' story is related in brief rhymes. The text touches only slightly on their arrival on the island; without the concluding author's note, readers will be bewildered. Zahares's glowing oil pastels extend and explain through images what Ransom only hints at. Full spreads present a detailed and exciting background for the sometimes-forced rhymes. It is hard to pinpoint the audience for this book, as the text seems suited for preschoolers while it will take older and more astute readers to decipher the meaning of the poetry. Fans of Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague (S & S, 2006) will pick this up, and it would make a nice unit filler paired with Jim Arnosky's Wild Ponies (National Geographic, 2002) and Susan Jeffers's My Chincoteague Pony (Hyperion, 2008), but it doesn't stand on its own.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada
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About this edition

• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 080278089X
• ISBN 13: 9780802780898
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Zahares Wade