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A Pony for the Winter
"Keeping a pony for the winter was a lot of work. But Deborah didn't mind the work-she loved Mollie. Now the man from Playland Park was coming to take Millie back. Deborah threw her arms around the ppony, and a tear rolled down her cheek. Would she ever see Mollie again?
63 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 5, 2022
A sweet story about a girl who desperately wants a pony bit cannot afford it. She finds out that she can care for a pony during the year before it returns to giving pony rides for the summer. She bonds of course and the thought of having to give her back is difficult.
The illustrations are wonderful, a beautiful match for the story.
The illustrations are wonderful, a beautiful match for the story.
December 31, 2019
This was my first book purchase ever from Scholastic Book Services at the ripe old age of 6 years old (1968), so it will always have great sentimental value to me personally. I have such fond memories of reading it over and over and over again, looking at the captivating illustrations for hours on end, and imagining different scenarios had it been me in the story.
Beyond all that though, it's still a great story and the pictures are still fun to look at through the eyes of a child. I tested it on my grandchildren, and they loved it almost as much as I did. (And still do).
Timeless book. Highly recommend!
Beyond all that though, it's still a great story and the pictures are still fun to look at through the eyes of a child. I tested it on my grandchildren, and they loved it almost as much as I did. (And still do).
Timeless book. Highly recommend!
July 29, 2025
"I like this book because I think a pony would be fun to have. Sharing it is okay if you can't care for it in all the seasons, just share it with someone who can and you'll both be happy." -Cadee, age 9
January 15, 2020
This is a review of the Scholastic paperback edition.
There are few stories I loved as a little kid and still love as a wrinkly old adult. Usually, books I love as a kid tend to fall short when I read them as an adult. This story has most of the elements needed for a great horse or pony story:
* a young protagonist easy to identify with
* lots of true pony-filled moments, including a chapter called "Ponies are Hard Work"
* a great pony like Molly with just a few bad habits like a real pony would have
* a happy ending
The illustrations are also part of the fun. If this was published without the illustrations, I'm not sure I'd be so fond of the book, good story that it is.
There are few stories I loved as a little kid and still love as a wrinkly old adult. Usually, books I love as a kid tend to fall short when I read them as an adult. This story has most of the elements needed for a great horse or pony story:
* a young protagonist easy to identify with
* lots of true pony-filled moments, including a chapter called "Ponies are Hard Work"
* a great pony like Molly with just a few bad habits like a real pony would have
* a happy ending
The illustrations are also part of the fun. If this was published without the illustrations, I'm not sure I'd be so fond of the book, good story that it is.
February 17, 2024
This is the book which got me into trouble as an adult. I read this first back in the 1970s, probably not long after it came out. The idea of having a pony of one's own was something I wanted fiercely then, and very much sympathized with the girl in the book. What I ignored was how hard it was to take care of the pony. The author details just how complicated it is to take care of one horse through winter.
Of course this meant as an adult I finally had to get some ponies of my own - and take care of them through the winter. Um...yeah. It's hard work. Really hard work.
But in the book, Deborah can't help but love her pony and feel like it was worth it. Was it? Yeah...I had horses and ponies for years. Still a lot of work.
Excellent book for telling it like it is.
Of course this meant as an adult I finally had to get some ponies of my own - and take care of them through the winter. Um...yeah. It's hard work. Really hard work.
But in the book, Deborah can't help but love her pony and feel like it was worth it. Was it? Yeah...I had horses and ponies for years. Still a lot of work.
Excellent book for telling it like it is.
January 30, 2010
It's been well over 30 years since I last read this book, but I remember it being one of my favorites as a young girl. In particular, I remember one Christmas eve when I read it several times in succession because I was so excited I couldn't sleep.
October 12, 2010
it is happy in the beggining but a little sad in the end
May 1, 2016
An old favorite of mine. Still just as good.
February 21, 2024
Loved this book. The first book that made me fall in love with reading. I had a Shetland pony, Princess. A great read for a young heart.
April 22, 2020
This story really does not convey very good care for a pony! A boy riding a pony that is so small in comparison that his feet are almost touching the ground? I know I’m no expert on ponies and horses, but that is wrong! The pictures are gorgeous and the general story outline is good, but the end result really isn’t what it’s supposed to be in my opinion:
October 17, 2020
I was first introduced to this one as a bedtime story, before I could even read. As I gained reading skills, I noticed a discrepancy or two between the printed words and the story my father/mother read to me. In the edition I still have in my possession, on page 12 I noticed the phrase "But it was understood that Dad would have the last word." My parents skipped over that phrase until I could read it for myself and we could discuss it. For anyone concerned about dated phrases in books for young children, you have been warned, and I suggest you consider doing what my parents did.
The explanation my parents used when I was old enough, since I was already familiar with the story went something like this: "Do you remember how hard everybody had to work to care for Mollie the pony?"
Yes.
"Well it wouldn't be very fair to her father to ask everybody else if they're willing to work to care for the pony and not ask Deborah's dad and expect him to work hard to care for Mollie too, would it?"
No.
"Well, he wasn't there and didn't know about the pony, so they had to wait and ask him. That meant he was the last person asked, the last one to say yes, so his vote of yes or no was the final one."
Oh. OK.
This is a charming story with beautiful illustrations. This is a story that should continue to be shared.
The explanation my parents used when I was old enough, since I was already familiar with the story went something like this: "Do you remember how hard everybody had to work to care for Mollie the pony?"
Yes.
"Well it wouldn't be very fair to her father to ask everybody else if they're willing to work to care for the pony and not ask Deborah's dad and expect him to work hard to care for Mollie too, would it?"
No.
"Well, he wasn't there and didn't know about the pony, so they had to wait and ask him. That meant he was the last person asked, the last one to say yes, so his vote of yes or no was the final one."
Oh. OK.
This is a charming story with beautiful illustrations. This is a story that should continue to be shared.
January 4, 2016
Written for the elementary school set, A Pony for the Winter tells the story of Deborah's wish for a pony. When her wish comes true and she has a pony to care for, she soon learns the meaning of hard work. It's a wonderful tale that shows just what you can accomplish, no matter how young, when you put your mind to it.
September 12, 2015
Eight year old Deborah is desperate for a pony. Her desire is fuelled each day as she hops on the school bus and sees ponies in a nearby field; her return from school rewards her with the same sight.
Her parents have told her ponies are hard work and although she knows they could be, she is desperate.
Read more at http://equus-blog.com/a-pony-for-the-...
Her parents have told her ponies are hard work and although she knows they could be, she is desperate.
Read more at http://equus-blog.com/a-pony-for-the-...
May 21, 2012
I was absolutely ga-ga over horses as a kid. The Charleston Chew candy bar had a contest where you could win a horse - I schemed and dreamed of keeping it in our very suburban garage! A Pony for the Winter fed that dream big time! I never won the contest though. :-(
March 17, 2009
This was one of my all time favorite kids books. Out of print now, but I have heard it is in or going to be in controlled re-release? Absolutely charming!
January 31, 2011
This was one of my favorite books as a child and my battered copy proves how much it was loved and frequently read. Lovely illustrations and a touching story for horselovers.
February 28, 2012
This is a cute story. Great for horse-loving kids everywhere.
June 5, 2013
This was probably the first book that I absolutely loved. I can't believe it was published in the 60's! I thought I had discovered a new best seller in 1996. Better 32 years late than never!
October 7, 2013
It was fun to read this "chapter book" to a grandson who is learning to read (and to picture settings and characters in his mind) and a granddaughter who loves horses. :)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews