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My Little Pony Makes a Wish
Paperback
First published April 12, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 9, 2019
Ordered this from eBay on a whim—I really just wanted the Strawberry Shortcake book that came in the same lot.
I had quite a few My Little Pony toys as a kid, but I was never that excited about them. I mostly had them because my best friend loved them and we’d play My Little Pony, which I think mostly involved brushing and braiding a pastel assortment of tails. The ponies have limited distinction beyond coloring, occasional wings or a horn, and symbols that correspond to a one-dimensional character attribute. This is one of the rare instances where the current reboot of the franchise is far superior to the original. I read one of the modern My Little Pony chapter books and thought it was quite good, with a developed character and plot, and it wasn’t a recap of a TV episode but an original story.
I’m not sure when children’s books solely designed to sell toys began. The concept seems to have thrived in the 1980s, but earlier children’s books like the Raggedy Ann series, the Oz books, Winnie the Pooh and the books by Beatrix Potter certainly capitalized on merchandizing. So perhaps it began around 1900-1910s when those series debuted. The difference is the stories were strong first, then came the toys. At some point, toy companies saw the profitable possibilities and the result is books like this, created to sell toys and extend the franchise.
The plot of this book features a lot of characters based on toys you could buy, which wouldn’t be bad except there is almost no character distinction beyond appearance. The premise is that the queen unicorn pony is having magically grant wishes day. But on stepping up to her outdoor throne, she sprains her ankle and must be put down—just kidding, she must go sit inside her palace to rest, because sitting on her throne outside apparently requires four healthy ankles. Spike the dragon (I forgot he was in the original series) decides to grant wishes with her wand in her place. Why she needs a wand when she can do magic with her horn is a mystery, but I suppose Spike couldn’t very well use her horn when it’s attached to her head. I’m not sure how she uses the wand, as we never see her use it. I suppose she holds it in her teeth and mumbles the magic words around it? But I digress.
Though the ponies could wish for anything, the three ponies who get their wishes granted before things go haywire all wish for a different season. I could identify with Posey’s wish for spring to see her garden bloom. I always liked Posey. Everything works out in the end, and they have a party. For some reason, 1980s toy-based franchise books always end with a party.
I had quite a few My Little Pony toys as a kid, but I was never that excited about them. I mostly had them because my best friend loved them and we’d play My Little Pony, which I think mostly involved brushing and braiding a pastel assortment of tails. The ponies have limited distinction beyond coloring, occasional wings or a horn, and symbols that correspond to a one-dimensional character attribute. This is one of the rare instances where the current reboot of the franchise is far superior to the original. I read one of the modern My Little Pony chapter books and thought it was quite good, with a developed character and plot, and it wasn’t a recap of a TV episode but an original story.
I’m not sure when children’s books solely designed to sell toys began. The concept seems to have thrived in the 1980s, but earlier children’s books like the Raggedy Ann series, the Oz books, Winnie the Pooh and the books by Beatrix Potter certainly capitalized on merchandizing. So perhaps it began around 1900-1910s when those series debuted. The difference is the stories were strong first, then came the toys. At some point, toy companies saw the profitable possibilities and the result is books like this, created to sell toys and extend the franchise.
The plot of this book features a lot of characters based on toys you could buy, which wouldn’t be bad except there is almost no character distinction beyond appearance. The premise is that the queen unicorn pony is having magically grant wishes day. But on stepping up to her outdoor throne, she sprains her ankle and must be put down—just kidding, she must go sit inside her palace to rest, because sitting on her throne outside apparently requires four healthy ankles. Spike the dragon (I forgot he was in the original series) decides to grant wishes with her wand in her place. Why she needs a wand when she can do magic with her horn is a mystery, but I suppose Spike couldn’t very well use her horn when it’s attached to her head. I’m not sure how she uses the wand, as we never see her use it. I suppose she holds it in her teeth and mumbles the magic words around it? But I digress.
Though the ponies could wish for anything, the three ponies who get their wishes granted before things go haywire all wish for a different season. I could identify with Posey’s wish for spring to see her garden bloom. I always liked Posey. Everything works out in the end, and they have a party. For some reason, 1980s toy-based franchise books always end with a party.
September 7, 2016
super cheesy. I'm sure my nephew will enjoy this book, but I did not. the characters are cliche and selfish. they basically all wish for different seasons so one pony s wish undoes the prior pony's wish. rude.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews