Reading is hard work in the beginning; it takes a lot of patience and determination. Finishing a chapter
book is a huge milestone in the eyes of the emergent
reader. Finding one with a simple sentence structure, easy-to-read language, and interesting characters and storyline is a great tool to push the new reader along. KEEKER AND THE SNEAKY
PONY is such a book and will appeal to many young
readers, particularly those who dream of owning a pony.
Author Hadley Higginson, who grew up on farm, clearly understands young girls like 8-year-old Keeker who desperately
wants a pony. She also gets animal behavior and in giving the pony Plum a voice she cleverly shows her as mischievous and a bit full of herself. Plum wants to be free, run, eat blackberries --
kids can understand this perspective, too. So readers will root for both Keeker and Plum to get want they want. It''s a great lure to keep readers wanting to know what happens next.
Six short chapters are illustrated with delightful curly-cue, thin-lined drawings on every page, helping the reader follow the plot and learn even more about the characters. And for kids who finish this book asking for their own ponies, there are also a few pages of pony facts describing the time-intensive responsibilities involved.
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