Kids into books - The Paradise Pony

This weeks title - The Paradise Pony

Author: K.M. Peyton

Illustrator: Robin Lawrie

Publisher: Random house, $12.95

Age group: 8-10 years


Lauren shouted, "Bad luck, Tashy," in a sporting way. But they both knew it had nothing to do with luck. It was just Monkey.

Lauren went in on her pony Humpfrey and he refused three times at the first, and she rode out again, red-faced.

She was really miserable. Humpfrey never seemed very eager to jump. Lauren tried to make excuses for him. He was old, after all, about eighteen, and was far from being a thoroughbred like Lunar. He was a sort of Welsh pony, white (or usually off-white), thirteen-two hands high, and very kind. Lauren loved him dearly. But at shows he always made her really unhappy.

"I don't know why I bother to enter!"

Tashy made her, that's why. After all, it was fun to ride to the show together -- it was only in the local village -- and stand around nattering with their friends.

There were several more clear rounds so Lauren knew that Tashy wasn't going to get a rosette.


Tomorrow: Being shouted at by Horrid Hector