Clever Beatrice and the Best Little Pony

Clever Beatrice

by Margaret Willey, Heather M. Solomon (Illustrator)

Everyone knows that Beatrice of the north woods is clever. But did you know that she's also mighty brave? In this disarming companion to the award-winning Clever Beatrice, our heroine proves that she's a pint-sized force to be reckoned with when she discovers that someone has been sneaking into the barn at night to ride her beloved pony. But who?
The village bread maker, who specializes in solving "things not easily explained," claims he can help Beatrice, given enough time. But Beatrice doesn't have time, so starts thinking herself...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 24, 2004

About the author

I am the author of 9 Young Adult novels, 6 picture books & more on the way in both genres. I have also published reviews, essays and poetry. My best known books are the CLEVER BEATRICE picture books, for which I received many awards and prizes, including the CCBC Charlotte Zolotow award for best writing in a picture book. Recently, I was given the Gwen Frostic Award by the Michigan Reading Association for my contributions to literacy in my home state of Michigan. I have two grown children and live in Grand Haven with my husband Richard Joanisse.

I am the author of FOUR SECRETS,a book about the aftermath of a school bullying incident with graphic novel-inspired illustrations by Bill Hauser.
I am currently promoting my new title with Carolrhoda Lab, BEETLE BOY, about a different kind of bullying, the parental kind, and one boy's long journey out of childhood to escape it. Kirkus called the book "Disturbing and riveting" in a starred review. Starred review Publishers Weekly. Cited as a book of week for Sept 1 from PW.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever Beatrice returns for her second adventure, this time confronting a mischievous lutin - a hobgoblin of the French folkloric tradition - who is riding her pony Treffle ragged every night. Determined to put an end to this, Beatrice consults Monsieur Le Pain, the local bread-maker and expert on "All Things Not Easily Explained." But it is Beatrice herself (not surprisingly) who comes up with a plan...

Margaret Willey's Clever Beatrice tales, of which there are three, are inspired by the French Canadian traditions of northern Michigan, and feature an intelligent, likable young heroine. Accompanied by Heather M. Solomon's engaging, collage-like illustrations, any one of them would make for an excellent story-hour selection.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I both enjoyed this book and its actually a pretty good story about a little girl who has to save her pony from a mythical creature who keeps stealing it. It goes on about what Beatrice does to find out who/what is stealing her pony every night and what she can do to stop it/or catch it.

As far as stories go, its pretty good. Not to short, not to long. Just the right elemants to make it a good story.

The illustrations are different and at first I didn't like them but they kind of grow on you after awhile.

Nice examples of problem solving skills for young kids.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

"clever beatrice and the mansplaining baker who's gonna take credit for fixing the problem because he took a nap while the little girl took care of things and was thus awake when they returned home"

I still really like Beatrice, though. I just HAVE to take off a star for the creepy illustrations, and then that baker is so awful he stole another star.

[Diana C. Kobylak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story about a little girl named Beatrice who with a slight help of the baker solves the mystery of the Lutin who was stealing her horse at night.

[Cherina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: Beatrice finds her pony a mess one morning. The baker tells Beatrice that a lutin must have come during the night and rode her horse. Beatrice sprinkles flour on the floor of the stable. Sure enough, in the morning, Beatrice sees little footprints in the flour. She goes to the baker for advice. That night, Beatrice hides her pony in the cellar. The following morning, Beatrice's whole house is a mess, but her pony is safe. Beatrice goes to the baker for a third time. The baker pretends to be Beatrice's horse in the stable. When the lutin comes, Beatrice captures the creature. It never bothers her pony again.

Uses: independent reading for transitional readers, recommend to children who like horses, who like reading mysteries, or those young girl who need exposure to a clever female character

Literary Devices: onomatopoeia, simile

Social issues: being brave, problem solving

Other: Illustrations are a little odd, but overall, the text is okay. The main character is a strong, clever female, something rarely seen in children's literature.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story in the Clever Beatrice series by Margaret Willey and Heather M. Solomon. It shows how Beatrice uses her wits to protect her pony and drive a mischievous lutin away.

The narrative is fun to read aloud and the distinctive illustrations complement the story nicely. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story actually surprised me, mainly because I thought the real culprit was somebody rather mundane. But clever Beatrice is told the truth and nabs the bad guy all on her own. The heroine is spunky, bright, full of ideas and fiercely loyal, all qualities that make her very likeable. The illustrations are flat, broad daubs of warm colors with aspects that jut into the white pages holding the print or are bound with representations of wooden planks. They give the story a homey, autumnal feel of a peasant life where humans and the otherworldly would intersect in each other’s lives, if not always to everyone’s advantage.

[Tiauna Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a folklore book. This book is from the series Clever Beatrice. This book has a few the awards such as the Parent’s Choice Award, Los Angeles Time Best Book Award, and the Horn Book Fanfare Award. This book is about a spunky little who is out to bust somebody for riding her pony late at night. She cannot wait for help so she goes about it herself. I gave the book four stars because I love the illustrations with their warm inviting colors but I wish they were brighter to attract more children. The book is fully of adventure from Beatrice and how she finally takes down the bad guy.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Beatrice book where Beatrice is truly clever instead of just sneaky. I liked this book better than the other two in that respect and of course, as usual, I really like Heather Solomon's illustrations. 3.5 stars.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a fun read aloud, and the repetition of structure as each new problem arises is great for helping kids predict what the bread maker will do, the mother will say, and how Beatrice will solve the problem.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can clever Beatrice save her pony from a mysterious night time visitor? You bet she can! With or without help from the town baker! Such a clever girl!

[Cya]

This is a great problem solving book. I will use for examples of problem solving using the resources available to you. Students can see how Beatrice comes up with ideas to solve her dilemma.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

You enjoyed this one. It may have made more sense if we'd started at the beginning of the series, though.

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clever Beatrice is back and catches a lutin to save her pony.