My Chincoteague Pony

by Susan Jeffers

On the farm where Julie lives there are cows and chickens, but no ponies. With her whole heart, Julie longs for a pony of her own. And she has a plan. Every summer on Chincoteague Island, there is an auction of ponies who have swum across the channel from Assateague, where ponies run free. If Julie works hard and saves her money all year, perhaps she can win the pony of her dreams--her very own Chincoteague pony.

Genres: Picture Books, Horses, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Juvenile, Realistic Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 17, 2008

About the author

There is more than one author with this name.

Biography:

Graduate of Pratt Institute 1964
Worked in the publishing field for three years
Began freelance career in 1968
Published first children's book in 1970

Awards:

Caldecott Honor
Golden Apple Biennial Bratislava
The ABBY American Booksellers Best Book award
Society of Illustrators Awards of Merit
Golden Kite Society of Children's Books Author Illustrators

Reviews

[Julie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just figured something out tonight. . . if you feel the sudden urge to clear your throat or swallow a lump of emotion on the final page of a children's book. . . it's a keeper.

This Susan Jeffers book was inspired by Marguerite Henry's book, Misty of Chincoteague, and apparently there's an entire generation of horse-obsessed girls who grew up loving this book. How could it have eluded me?

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Marguerite Henry’s 1946 novel Misty of Chincoteague most definitely is an all-time personal favourite, as an adult rereading Misty of Chincoteague I do tend to now consider the Pony Penning tradition of Chincoteague Island as more than likely really and horribly stressful for the wild ponies of Assateague Island (which does of course not take all that much away from my enjoyment of Misty’s story, but it gives me cause to think and not to just consider how Paul and Maureen Beebe become the owners of Misty and her dam The Phantom as something to just accept absolutely uncritically). And therefore, I at this time of my reading life rather do want more modern, more recent penned novels and/or picture books about Assateague and Chincoteague to at least point out that the Pony Penning holiday and rodeo (where the wild horses of Assateague Island are rounded up en masse, swum across the channel to Chincoteague Island, with weanlings and yearlings being separated from the herd and auctioned off) are not without some controversy, and that Pony Penning should in my opinion not simply be accepted and unilaterally celebrated.

And very much unfortunately, while Susan Jeffers does present in her 2008 picture book My Chincoteague Pony a sweet enough little story about how a young girl manages to buy for herself a Chincoteague pony at the Pony Penning auction (and yes, I do love how she is financially helped out during the auction by complete strangers), Jeffers’ lack of any even some remote criticism of Pony Penning and no acknowledgment that this event does definitely and indeed tend to stress out the herded and captured Assateague ponies (and with both her text and her accompanying illustrations, I might add), yes, this definitely bothers me more than a trifle. For I just do not think that in 2008 Susan Jeffers should be writing about Pony Penning as something totally and utterly non problematic, as something that is in every way somehow equine friendly. And therefore, only a very grudging three stars for My Chincoteague Pony, as for me personally, the complete and uncritical feting and acceptance by author and illustrator Susan Jeffers (both narrationally and pictorially) of Pony Penning as an event and that the illustrations also seem to pretty look strangely dated for 2008 (often giving a look and feel that seems not contemporary at all but more of the 1960s, and equally with NONE of the wild ponies ever being drawn, being depicted as even somewhat stressed whilst being herded and rounded up like livestock), this all does kind of make me shake my head.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the true story behind this book, about the generosity and kindness of strangers in making a little girl's dream of owning a pony come true and how she pays it forward. And Jeffers' love of horses is so clear from her gorgeous, sensitive illustrations. I'm not sure the storytelling had the emotional impact I was expecting, given that the true story its based on is so sweet and heartwarming. I preferred Jeffers' My Pony but this one is still worth checking out if you or your child is a horse/pony fan and/or Jeffers fan.

Also, fans of Marguerite Henry will want to check out this book for the letter from Henry reprinted in the beginning!

[smetchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually almost cried when I got to the part where everyone starts handing Julie money so she can buy her pony! And then when Julie saves all her money for a year so she can come back to the auction and give it to another girl so she can get her pony? Forget about it! I'm a complete sucker for stories like this. (Pay It Forward)Otherwise the book is a little bit cheesy but so what? The message is just so sweet!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that the author tells what inspired her to write this story at the beginning of the book. I like that's it's based on true stories. A child works hard for a dream, is helped to achieve it, and then wants to help others obtain their dream. Nice.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are beautiful, and I'm still a sucker for a good horse or pony story, especially if it's about the Chincoteague ponies.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since we spend a week every summer on Chincoteague (and would stay all summer if it weren't for pesky things like work and money), I have a few quibbles with this relating to the illustrations:

The crossing over Chincoteague Channel and the surround marshes is spectacular. But it looks nothing as it is pictured here. There is a several mile long causeway stretching across the marshes and channels, and then right before you reach the island, you go over a small bumpy drawbridge--now being replaced.

There is no beach like shore--rather you see the town with its houses and businesses. And you CAN'T see Assateague Island--it is to the east of Chincoteague and blocked from view, except for the lighthouse--and you can only see that at night!

And why oh why or WHY are all the girls and women (except Julie) wearing dresses, and in the ladies' case, HATS of a style my mom might have worn in the early 60s? Is this supposed to be set a long time ago.

This will be nice for the stores to sell on Chincoteague, and perhaps it will inspire even more little girls to read "Misty". But it's slight, and I expect a lot more from Jeffers.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming (and true!) story of how generous and kind people can be, allowing a little girl to achieve her dream and then seeing how she pays it forward in the future. I loved the correspondence in the beginning of the book from Marguerite Henry, the author of Misty of Chincoteague and the inspiration for this tale.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to like about this story. It's a history lesson, and a story about a girl with a goal. It's about compassion and generosity, and the story is nicely paced. I also liked the connection with Marguerite Henry, which will mean more to older children than it will to young readers.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and great story.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

The introduction is far better than the story, which is just the retelling of a local legend in Chincoteague. The introduction includes a handwritten letter from Marguerite Henry herself, author of the Misty books that made Chincoteague a household name ... for households that have horse lovers, that is. Henry notes that after her longtime illustrator Wesley Dennis died in 1966, writing books no longer were any fun.

Man, that explained a LOT. Henry had not one but THREE illustrators die on her (the others were Robert Lougheed and Rich Rudish.)

As to the story itself, it's so-so. The legend is that some secret someone paid for a kid to buy a pony at the annual Pony Penning auction. Whether that really happened ... who knows, but people have actually done this, based on this legend.

I much prefer the reality where people bid on foals that will be returned to Assateague.

Auctions are actually the WORST places to buy a pony or any other animal. It's too high pressure. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. You're buying based on looks and that's it.

The illustrations are much better than the text.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on true events, this story tells of the wild ponies from Assateague Island who are sold at a yearly auction on Chincoteague island. A little girl wants to buy one of the ponies, but keeps getting outbid. In the end, people pitch in money so she can buy one. I had never heard of these ponies before, but this story made me want to learn more about them.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My adult mind was thinking no no that would never happen. I was happy anyway, what little girl doesn't want a pony.

Then the ending when decides she will go back next year put such a smile in my heart!

[Michaela Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually mark when I read picture books, but I read this in the stacks at work and cried real tears.

[Dorothy Vandezande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story based on true accounts of generosity. Heart melting and I can't read it aloud without crying. Beautiful illustrations.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

PSA: If your child already wants a pony and you cannot have a pony, this may not be the book for you.

[Felicity The Magnificent · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, there was a girl who loved ponies. Her name was Julia [The book says the girl's name is Julie, but Felicity noted that on her bed it says "Julia"]. She had a friend that had a horse, and his name was Shanti. But she wanted a pony of her own. She knew that every July there was a pony auction on Chincoteague island. Every year Julia tried to make her parents say yes to got the pony auction, but every year they said no. Finally one year they said yes. When they got there one pony walked forward to Julia. She kept raising her hand to make a bid, but every time the price climbed too high. Strangers gave her the money. Then, after she got all her money, she noticed that all of the ponies were already gone. Then someone said that a pony had returned back. Then he said that it belonged to Julia. Then someone helped them carry the pony into the carriage. Then her mom asked her what she was going to do now that she had her pony. She said that she would give her money to another girl so she could get her own pony. I liked this book because there are ponies in it. -by Felicity

[Mhm Storytelling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a little girl who dreams of having her own pony. She saves up all year in hopes of making her dream come true- in the end, a community effort helps make her dream come true.

Themes/topics: perseverance, community, dreams, animals, horses

Great features: The illustrations in this book are gorgeous.

Red flags: Even the word "Chincoteague" is hard to pronounce. When reading to such a young age group, this could probably be eliminated without taking meaning from the story.

Opportunities for interactions: Ask kids, what are some things you've saved up money to buy? What would your dream pet be?

[Kris Irvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's cool that this is based on a true story, but...


Are you kidding? The little girl wants a pony soooooooooooooooooooooo much and magically the people around her give her money to buy one? Seriously? Talk about not teaching kids how to work, save, work, save, work, work, work some more. hey, let's go to an auction and maybe everyone will see how sad I am and give me money!

Actually this is exactly how my brain worked as a child, so I don't feel bad criticizing the book. I am glad I checked it out from the library because I would NEVER want my son to internalize the lesson this one teaches. Yikes.

I still love Jeffers' artwork though. A LOT.

[Juliej · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved this book. I've visited the Assateague/Chincoteague area of Delaware and am familiar with the wild horses. That's why I picked up the book. It's a true story of people coming together to make a little girl's dream come true. The author was inspired to write this after witnessing the event years ago where an audience pooled money at an auction to help a little girl get the horse she had saved and saved for. There's also an explanation in the book on how the wild ponies came to be at Assateague. This book was a gem.

[Scott Roark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to incorporate true history about Chincoteague ponies into a children's book. Book can be platform for lesson on money (math) and how to save it up to make a purchase. High interest book for students with love of horses (like my 2nd daughter). Susan Jeffers has several books that incorporate a great story with amazing art, she is one artist where I can pick out her work. Use this book to have students pick a subject that they are very interested in and research about it enough until they can write a short story about a unique fact about that high interest subject.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up with fond memories of Marguerite Henry books in my head. My kids are still too young for those, but they loved this one. It's nice, because while the author mentions Ms. Henry and Misty in her note, the story itself focuses on the young protagonist's quest to buy a pony, not on horse story history. Another neat point is that Ms. Jeffers was inspired by true stories in writing this, so while it has a fairy tale feel, it's nice to hear it's based in truth.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, we got it because it was about horses, but I absolutely loved the message - others helped the little girl get a pony, but even better, the little girl was planning on returning the next year to help another little girl get her own pony. Not enough books with messages like this one. Really great.

[Laura]

Wonderful children's story. I feel like the book was based off of my experience in 1995. I got a pony due to the generosity of the Volunteer Fire Department and a few people in the crowd! Love it so much I married a man from the island, and I'm proud to call this place home. Places like this do still exist! Great book.

[Alfajirikali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cliched little girl wants a pony story until the ending. After working for an entire summer she saves money for the pony auction, but doesn't have enough. Folks standing near her give her money so she can buy a pony. Next year she works all summer to help someone else buy a pony.

[T Crockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for a horse lover. The fact that it was based on a true story and that maps were included just made it even better. I read it with a preschooler who immediately wanted to hear it again, but her older siblings (4th, 5th grade) were clearly listening from the other side of the room.

[Tori Davenport]

This book was super cute and sweet. It was about a little girl who wanted a pony and worked really hard to be able to afford her own. She eventually got the pony of her dreams. I would read this to kids so they can see that doing hard work pays off, also to teach them about these types of ponies.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story by Susan Jeffers, enhanced by her always beautiful illustrations of horses.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Older daughter really dug this, and now is interested in reading Misty. Can't wait.

[aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a sweet, sweet book. i got choked up at the end while reading it to the kids. i liked it even better after reading that it is based on true stories that happen every year.