The Ugly Pony by Angharad Thompson Rees

The Ugly Pony Reviews

• 
  Zain

  The Ugly What?
  
  Bella is born to a show pony, but she looks nothing like her mother. She is called an ugly duckling by the other ponies who are lively and beautiful.
  
  One day, tired of all the mean spirited jokes and jabs and nasty comments and horrendous name calling, Bella decides to run away.
  
  During her travels, far away from her home, Bella undergoes changes. And yes, the story is like that popular story.
  
  Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
• 
  La Coccinelle

  A few days ago, my router decided to have a brain fart. Stuck with only what was downloaded onto my computer for reading material, I decided to give this freebie a try. Let's just say that I was glad when I had access to the internet again.
  
  Now, The Ugly Pony isn't terrible. It's a basic retelling of "The Ugly Duckling" but with ponies and unicorns taking the place of ducks and swans. Unfortunately, the creativity doesn't extend much further than that. The story unfolds in pretty much the same way as the original, but without the logic. At least I can understand how an egg might end up in the wrong nest. How does a pony end up giving birth to a unicorn (unless Bella's mother got frisky with a magical visitor)?
  
  The illustrations are underwhelming. I get that this is an illustrated chapter book and not a picture book. But the black-and-white drawings didn't excite me at all. I think colour illustrations (similar to what's on the cover) would've made this a more appealing book, at least aesthetically. The writing itself has a few problems that an editor should've caught, and it's not all that engaging.
  
  If I were to recommend this, I'd probably only recommend it to kids who haven't read too many versions of the original story before. When you're retelling a classic tale, you either need to have spectacular illustrations or you need to add a twist that makes people sit up and take notice. This book has neither, unfortunately, so I can't really recommend it.
• 
  J

  This was one of those books that was offered as a free offer after having access to another of the author's books. One of the things that I like about Angharad Thompson Rees' books are the beautiful yet magical cover designs that seems to decorate each and every book I have seen. They are the type that although not quite realistic they hold enough of a surreal element to provide a magical taste to them.
  
  The stories are quite short and would be a crowd-pleaser for those who enjoy horse and pony stories since of the main characters found within the story. In this particular one, "The Ugly Pony" is a basic re-telling of the story that has the very similar name although replacing the duck with the pony itself. As such the story isn't as creative as one can get and due to some of the elements of the descriptions the story was an easy give-away as towards what the end would turn out to be.
  
  The author does keep to the lesson that is found within the original fable and so as a result the reader will get their moral on what it takes to know as well as recognize beauty in oneself. I do have to say the lesson given is a much deeper yet more recognized need message than the basic self-lesson from the original.
  
  All in all it was a sweet and good little story but one that would be more attractive to younger readers rather than older ones who want just a bit more mystery and meat on the bones.
• 
  Zully Luly

  Un libro corto ilustrado y con trama cute. Es ideal para niños de 4 a 7 años . Se lee rápido y el mensaje va directo al grano. Trata del bullying, la comparación con otros , de las diferencias y la aceptación de la
  belleza de uno mismo.
  
  No le di la calificación perfecta porque termina rápidamente y creo que hubiera sido interesante saber más de Bella, la unicornio.
• 
  Christine

  A horse version of the Ugly Duckling. Not bad, but not great. At times it is is a bit too heavy handed.
• 
  Meg Shufran

  Cute story
• 
  Maria Logan-Montgomery

  This little book warmed my heart. The Ugly Pony, by Angharad Thompson Rees, is a modern rendition of The Ugly Duckling, written for International Children's Book Day. It reminds us that we are perfect, just the way we are. Rees, remembers feeling "less than" as a child, and hopes the story gives us the courage to love and nourish our inner selves.
  
  It shows bullies for what they really are: children and adults who are so insecure, they believe the only way they can affirm their "goodness" is to make those around them, and those less fortunate, feel badly about themselves. Sound familiar? It reassures all of us, but especially children, that no matter what other say or do, we will soar if we are true to ourselves and our own uniqueness. Do you know anyone who could use this adorable little book?
  
  I obtained this book from InstaFreebie. Unfortunately it is not available on Amazon, but you can get your own free copy at
  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vb4oaptjc0
• 
  Tony Parsons

  In the stable the mother horse looked down on her newborn foal Bella.
  The horse in the next stall asked what is that?
  The retired mare in the other stall couldn’t believe the daughter belonged to the prize-winning stock mother.
  Bella (aka Ugly Duckling) began to grow.
  1 day the squirrel even made a snide comment to/about Bella.
  The seasons came/went not much change in Bella.
  Later tired of the rude comments Bella ran away.
  Out in the real-world Bella discovered everyone/everything looked different.
  What did Bella find out when a squirrel took her into the forest?
  
  I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
  
  An awesome book cover, great hand-drawn colored pictures & proper font & writing style. A very professionally written children’s (MS age) educational friendship storybook. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters, settings, etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great children’s friendship movie, a classroom presentation, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
  
  Thank you for the free author(s); FreeBooksy; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
  Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
  
• 
  Jane

  The Ugly Pony is full of "beautiful light and happy" pictures to quote a friends five year old daughter that I shared it with on my Kindle Fire when they came for a visit. She loved the stoy and we talked about when you feel different it is a good thing because we are all different in many ways.
  
  I loved how easy it was to use the book to encourage vocabulary, positive attitudes and give a big smile to this little girl and have her ask her Dad to download it on her new Kindle when they went home.
• 
  Ariza Zubia

  Uplifting inspiring story retold
  
  This story, like the ugly duckling, teaches us accept who we truly are--our beautiful selves. It teaches us to accept and therefore believe in ourselves rather than the sometimes hurtful words of others in the world. One person may think you are ugly, but another may call you beautiful. Never stop believing in yourself though and value your own worth.
• 
  Elizabeth

  The Ugly Pony by Angharad Thompson Rees – This was a freebie. FOA what a name on this lady! It’s an ugly duckling retelling with horses which no little girl is ever going to turn down! Its super cute! Happy Reading!
• 
  Dorothy Scott

  Ugly Duckling Resdo
  
  This is a redo of the Ugly Duckling, except this is about a unicorn. The story is basically the same. The drawings are beautifully done, and the story is well written.
• 
  Rayjan Koehler

  Cute book
  
  Nice children's book, and has a fine moral for kids to read/learn. Definitely a good read as far as children's books.
• 
  Patricia Kaniasty

  Fantastic. This is a gem that is great for all ages. Makes you feel good about yourself. Beautiful drawings also. Read it to your kids and they will ask for it again and again.
• 
  Edie Walls

  This was a sweet little Ugly Duckling retelling! If I was a horse girl, I would like this even more I bet.
• 
  Cyndy

  This story is a take on The Ugly Duckling, but with ponies. It is a fun short read.
• 
  JMo

  very sweet
  
  Appropriate for early readers k-3. A sound retelling of the Ugly Duckling with a mystical touch. There’s a series of pony books by the author.
• 
  Barbara Ann

  This beginning chapter follows the theme of the ugly ducking. A pony is born in a thoroughbred stable. Named Bella by her mother, this pony is teased by all the only ponies. She is small and thin. Bella has a distinctive lump on her head.
  
  When her fourth year arrives and it is time for the ponies to be broken and trained, Bella realizes she will never fill their qualifications. She decides to run off and in doing so discovers something wonderful that changes her life and self-image.
  
  I would recommend the book as an early chapter book for new readers. The lessons Bella learns will inspire her young readers.
• 
  Clare O'Beara

  This Ugly Ducking retelling shows what happens to a pony that's born into even the nicest show yard if it doesn't suit the stereotype.
  At the end we may get a message about another kind of difference, if we choose to see it, but kids will enjoy the obvious message that they are better off to be themselves than to hang around with others not like them and hope to fit.
  I like the drawings and the fable is simple and sweet, ideal for readers 4 - 10 years old or horse lovers of any age.
  I downloaded an ARC. This is an unbiased review.
• 
  Christine Meunier

  The Ugly Pony is a wonderful retelling of the children’s tale the Ugly Duckling. Except this time the animal in question is a pony instead of a swan. This young pony grows up on a stud farm where ponies are bred for the show ring. They are recognised for their beautiful coats, rich colour, high stepping trot and pleasant conformation. These are all things that this particular pony seems to be lacking.
  
  Read more at
  http://equus-blog.com/ugly-pony-angha...
• 
  Margaret

  Similar to the story about the Ugly Duckling, this short story brings home the same lesson. It is a lovely little story. I received this book and volunteered to review it. The Ugly Pony is written by Angharad Thompson Rees. As a child totally in love with horses and ponies, I would have been thrilled to read this book.