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Molly the Pony: A True Story
Molly the pony waits. She waits in her stall. She waits during the storm. She waits for her owner to return.So begins the true story of a patient pony who is rescued from a south Louisiana barn after Hurricane Katrina and finds a new life on a farm with new animal friends. But Molly's tale of courage does not end here.When a dog on the farm attacks Molly, her front leg is badly injured. For a pony, a damaged leg is life threatening. To the amazement of veterinarians, though, Molly rises to her new challenge. She undergoes a rare surgery for horses: amputation of her front leg. Now fitted with a prosthetic limb, Molly relearns how to walk and embarks again on a new mission in life: making new people friends.This plucky pony's story of survival and friendship will win the hearts of readers young and old. All who have had to start over after displacement, abandonment, injury, or amputation will find a friend in Molly as they follow her story of bringing a smile to everyone she meets.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 10, 2023
The genre for "Molly the Pony: A True Story" by Pam Kaster is nonfiction and the intended age group is 4-8. Award won: ASPCA Henry Bergh children’s book award for nonfiction Humane Heroes (2008).
Summary: "Molly the Pony: A True Story" is a heartwarming story about a pony named Molly who survived Hurricane Katrina. She faced severe injuries, including the loss of a hoof. Thanks to a caring veterinarian and a prosthetic specialist, Molly's story becomes one of healing and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
Evaluation: This heartfelt true story is of resilience and compassion. Kaster's storytelling captures the emotional depth of Molly's experiences from her survival in the storm and the challenges of her recovery. The illustrations placed throughout the book add depth to the critical moments in Molly's story. This touching story is a testament to the perseverance of both animals and humans in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
11/08/23
Summary: "Molly the Pony: A True Story" is a heartwarming story about a pony named Molly who survived Hurricane Katrina. She faced severe injuries, including the loss of a hoof. Thanks to a caring veterinarian and a prosthetic specialist, Molly's story becomes one of healing and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
Evaluation: This heartfelt true story is of resilience and compassion. Kaster's storytelling captures the emotional depth of Molly's experiences from her survival in the storm and the challenges of her recovery. The illustrations placed throughout the book add depth to the critical moments in Molly's story. This touching story is a testament to the perseverance of both animals and humans in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
11/08/23
April 28, 2019
Molly the Pony: A True Story is about a pony who was left in a barn all alone during Hurricane Katrina. She was trapped in the barn by a tree that had fallen. She was rescued from the barn and brought to a safe place. At this new place she was bitten by a dog causing her to hurt her leg. She had her leg remove and she was given a prosthetic leg so that she could walk again. After a while of have her new leg she was taken to children's hospitals and retirement homes and everyone loved seeing her and petting her. I gave this book 5 stars because it is an easy read with text that is very simple short sentences. It is a great book for lower elementary students. The pictures are detailed and show what the text is saying.
May 12, 2021
The story of “Molly the Pony,” by Pam Kaster, talks about a pony left during hurricane Katrina. For two weeks the pony was left to survive the storm with little food and water from the rain. This resilient pony was rescued and taken to a new farm to stay on where she got bit by a dog. Even after losing a leg to a dog bite, she was still strong and proud. She managed to walk with a prosthetic front leg to help balance the weight. I enjoyed the fact that Molly never stopped trying. They brought her to visit children’s hospitals and retirement homes, where many enjoyed the company. I feel that it made everyone happy to see a pony like Molly, who been through rough times, because it may encourage them to keep going too.
April 15, 2019
This book is based on a true story and features a character with a disability. I believe this book will draw children in because of the animals. The illustrations are more of a picture but still follow the storyline. This book shows perseverance and bravery when Molly gets a life-threatening injury. This book can show that even though someone or something is different they are still the same and shouldn't be treated differently. I gave this book 4 stars out of 5 stars because of the message that it gives, and the warming of the heart that it gives.
August 9, 2020
A Touching Story
As someone who watched horses being rescued after Hurricane Katrina, I really appreciate how the author relates Molly’s story in a way appropriate to young horse lovers. It was a very difficult time and the heroics of the rescuers and veterinarians is very underrated. Well done and thanks for this story.
As someone who watched horses being rescued after Hurricane Katrina, I really appreciate how the author relates Molly’s story in a way appropriate to young horse lovers. It was a very difficult time and the heroics of the rescuers and veterinarians is very underrated. Well done and thanks for this story.
September 14, 2018
She survived Hurricane Katrina!
October 8, 2023
Normal true story, an easy reader. Recommend for kids in grades 2 to 4
January 14, 2013
Molly the Pony is a wonderful humane education book presented in an easy reader format. It should prompt interesting discussions about animal rescue, disability, overcoming handicaps, and therapy animals.
Molly is an 18-year-old pony who, like so many animals, was left behind when her owners fled Hurricane Katrina. Surviving on a small amount of hay in a corner of a partially-collapsed barn, Molly was discovered by rescuers weeks after the disaster. Molly was sent to an animal sanctuary, where she was recuperating nicely, but then her leg was severely injured in a dog attack. Vets could not save the leg, and in a move that is highly unusual in the equine world, Molly was given another chance with an artificial limb. She took to it beautifully, and began a new career visiting injured children and other hospitalized people as a therapy animal. What a truly lucky pony.
Like its equine star, Molly the Pony is a brave little book in another way. The dog who attacked Molly, necessitating her amputation, was a pit bull terrier. The dog's breed is not mentioned in the text, but a photo of the animal is shown, and there is no mistaking it. The pit bull ownership and breeding lobby has not hesitated to extend its arguments into children's books, with nary a word of these dogs' propensity to cause grievous harm to other animals. Bred to battle other animals to the death in a fighting ring, pit bulls are uniquely equipped to cause tremendous damage to even large animals like horses and ponies. Hopefully Molly's story will help balance the propaganda a little bit, and will convince would-be animal rescuers to rethink leaving other animals unsupervised with pit bull-type dogs.
Molly is an 18-year-old pony who, like so many animals, was left behind when her owners fled Hurricane Katrina. Surviving on a small amount of hay in a corner of a partially-collapsed barn, Molly was discovered by rescuers weeks after the disaster. Molly was sent to an animal sanctuary, where she was recuperating nicely, but then her leg was severely injured in a dog attack. Vets could not save the leg, and in a move that is highly unusual in the equine world, Molly was given another chance with an artificial limb. She took to it beautifully, and began a new career visiting injured children and other hospitalized people as a therapy animal. What a truly lucky pony.
Like its equine star, Molly the Pony is a brave little book in another way. The dog who attacked Molly, necessitating her amputation, was a pit bull terrier. The dog's breed is not mentioned in the text, but a photo of the animal is shown, and there is no mistaking it. The pit bull ownership and breeding lobby has not hesitated to extend its arguments into children's books, with nary a word of these dogs' propensity to cause grievous harm to other animals. Bred to battle other animals to the death in a fighting ring, pit bulls are uniquely equipped to cause tremendous damage to even large animals like horses and ponies. Hopefully Molly's story will help balance the propaganda a little bit, and will convince would-be animal rescuers to rethink leaving other animals unsupervised with pit bull-type dogs.
July 13, 2012
Young horse lovers will snap up “Molly the Pony,” an inspiring story of a courageous horse based on actual events. Beginning readers are not too young to respond to the themes of displacement, abandonment, injury, or amputation. Molly will win the hearts of readers of all ages.
Molly is abandoned during Hurricane Katrina, then attacked by a dog. Most ponies are euthanized when they have damaged limbs. Instead, Molly’s caretakers to agree to a rare surgery for horses: amputation of the front leg. Fitted with a prosthetic limb, Molly must relearn how to walk before embarking on a new career as a therapy horse. To the amazement of veterinarians, Molly rises to the challenge. Strong-willed Molly shows determination and grit as she strives to conquer her disability.
Page layout enhances the liberal use of colorful photographs of the brave pony. Children will be delighted by the smiley face imprinted on the bottom of Molly’s prosthetic rubber hoof!
Pam Kaster is the author of “Molly the Pony: A True Story,” a book for older children on the same topic, as well as “Zydeco Goes to Horse Camp.” Her previous volume on Molly earned the ASPCA’s 2008 True Story Winner. Kaster has worked with an equestrian riding program for disabled riders and has been a Red Cross disaster-preparedness volunteer for twenty years. During Hurricane Katrina, Kaster managed a Red Cross shelter.
Molly is abandoned during Hurricane Katrina, then attacked by a dog. Most ponies are euthanized when they have damaged limbs. Instead, Molly’s caretakers to agree to a rare surgery for horses: amputation of the front leg. Fitted with a prosthetic limb, Molly must relearn how to walk before embarking on a new career as a therapy horse. To the amazement of veterinarians, Molly rises to the challenge. Strong-willed Molly shows determination and grit as she strives to conquer her disability.
Page layout enhances the liberal use of colorful photographs of the brave pony. Children will be delighted by the smiley face imprinted on the bottom of Molly’s prosthetic rubber hoof!
Pam Kaster is the author of “Molly the Pony: A True Story,” a book for older children on the same topic, as well as “Zydeco Goes to Horse Camp.” Her previous volume on Molly earned the ASPCA’s 2008 True Story Winner. Kaster has worked with an equestrian riding program for disabled riders and has been a Red Cross disaster-preparedness volunteer for twenty years. During Hurricane Katrina, Kaster managed a Red Cross shelter.
December 28, 2013
"Molly the Pony: A True Story", is a story of survival and perseverance. Molly was left in a stable for two weeks after hurricane Katrina. She survived until someone realized she was there. Molly was rescued and enjoyed living on a farm with other rescued animals until one day a pit bull attacked and maimed one of her front legs. The vets watched Molly and noticed how intelligently she reacted to her injury. They saw that Molly was a true survivor and would be an excellent candidate for a prosthetic. Molly now nurtures other adults and children in hospitals when her owners take her to visit patients and relate her story.
October 17, 2012
This book was about a pony that was rescued after hurricane Katrina. She was later attacked and lost her front leg. She now has a prosthetic leg and it brought to hospitals to cheer up children who are sick or injured. I think this a great book for children who are sick or are struggling with an injury. This book could be used for any age. I would use this book in my classroom when we talk about medical injuries!
January 12, 2013
This is a new nonfiction Easy Reader book to our library. Many of the photographs are poor quality, but the writing is very accessible for middle-to-strong beginning readers. I can think of several first and second graders who would enjoy this book. Molly's is a great story.
December 13, 2008
True story of a pony that survives Hurricane Katrina and a dog attack. Loved it but then I am a sucker for true stories about animals with happy endings.
April 18, 2011
Oh! What a wonderful book! A photo-story of a pony that was fitted with an artificial leg. You will love it, kids will love it, and I cannot recommend it enough!
April 26, 2013
Normal true story, an easy reader. Recommend for kids in grades 2 to 4
August 9, 2013
very adorable horse!
December 6, 2016
Molly is a pony who loses her leg. The true story is about how she over comes
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January 16, 2017An awesome book. It is about a pony that gets left behind in hurricane katrina.
January 16, 2010
Sorry, couldn't resist. My sister's mother-in-law wrote this book!
April 5, 2017
Molly The Pony is a great story of change. The book is about a pony named Molly who withstands hurricane Katrina. After surviving the storm Molly is attacked by a dog on the same farm and is forced to have her leg amputated. She is then fit with a prosthetic leg and learns to walk again. Molly goes through this unfortunate event with a bright attitude, that is why I ranked it so high.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews