Winni Allfours

by Babette Cole

Winni Allfours wants a pony more than anything else in the world, but her parents don't approve, until Winni gets a brilliant idea

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Babette Cole was a British children's author and illustrator. Born on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands in 1949, she attended the Canterbury College of Art (now the University for the Creative Arts) and received first-class BA Honors. She worked on such children's programmes as Bagpuss (working with Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin) and Jackanory for BBC television.

As a children's writer, Cole created more than 150 picture books. Her best-seller Doctor Dog has been adapted as a successful children's cartoon series. Much of her work is earthy comedy, having titles like The Smelly Book, The Hairy Book, The Slimy Book and The Silly Book.

She spent her time writing, visiting schools and traveling. After a short illness she died on 15 January 2017, aged 66.

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a few years, I picked a children's book to give my family at Xmas. This is one of those books. I think subconsciously I was trying to explain myself to my family, but nobody paid attention. I wanted to be a horse. Not being a horse made me kinda sad and grumpy. Still does, truth be told.

This is a very happy book where I wish I could live. The goofy artwork perfectly matches the text.

I got the paperback version.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is, quite possibly, my favorite Babette Cole book. Winni loves horses but her parents, who are strict and vegetarian, do not approve. Winni turns to eating carrots and pretty soon...Winni can whinny herself!

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcos and I have read this book several times. Winni loves hamburgers and french fries but her parents are vegetarians and won't allow her to have a pony. Winni eats so many vegetables that she turns into a pony. Not only is she a pony, but she is a swift pony and agents are noticing her prowess on the race track. Her parents are horrified that she is a pony, but when she asks her Dad to help her race and they win, he is elated. However, they also realize that they person and they ask her to turn back into a child so she can eat as many hamburgers and fries as she wants. She decides that isn't a good deal, because if she turns back into a girl, she will have to go to school and she doesn't like school!

[Divia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winni wants a pony and ends up becoming a pony! They say if you eat vegetables you will turn into a pony. Be mindful of what you say to children and they just might surprise you.

Being a pony does sound like a lot of fun and she no longer has to go to school.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A whimsical tale of a girl who loved horses, and wanted one badly. Her parents were against it, and only wanted her to eat her vegetables. Taking a hint from the lunchroom lady, Winni Allfours comes up with a plan, and that's when the high jinks begins.

[Fae Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly this more fun than I remember as a kid!

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winni wants a pony. Her parents tell her no. They also don't want her eating hamburgers at school anymore because they are vegetarians. She eats so many carrots that the lunch lady tells her she will turn into a horse. Winni starts eating more and more vegetables and sure enough she turns into a fine race horse. Her parents want her to turn back into a girl but she refuses because she doesn't want to go to school.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally adore Ms. Cole's books because they're so quirky and she has such an interesting illustrative style, but this one was just bizarre. The prose felt really disjointed and I wasn't attached to any of the characters.

[Raini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I recently retread it and still love it. My daughter is four and she thought it was "amazing".

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voisin vaikka vannoa, että tämä kirja on luettu minulle lapsuudessani useampaan kertaan. Silti en muistanut juonesta mitään, vaikka se omia lapsia nauratti todella paljon !