The Painted Pony (Magical Adventures \u0026 Pony Tales #1) by Angharad Thompson Rees

The Painted Pony (Magical Adventures \u0026 Pony Tales #1) Reviews

• 
  Clare O'Beara

  Short and sweet, a fantasy set in France about a carousel horse and a boy. The boy has seen wild horses on the Camargue and he tells the carousel horse about the kind of life it could lead. The wooden horse had been quite happy, or thought it had, but faced with the possibilities of a real horse's wild life, it decides to try to change.
  
  The tale is clearly an allegory and can be used as a teaching aid, helping young children to see that they can do more and be more than the life others plan for them; but the change must come from themselves, not any outside force. I like the use of vocabulary and description and I would rate the tale better if it was longer or showed a final adventure. Children from six up to ten should be fine with it. The author plans a series of short pony tales.
  
  I downloaded an ARC from StoryCartel. This is an unbiased review.
  
  Nina Warner Hooke wrote The Moon In The Water about a set of carousel horses coming to life; I read it many years ago and it is excellent, sad and happy and highly memorable.
• 
  J

  This morning I was looking for a nice and quick read for my morning ritual just before bed and to ensure the light would stay off I was skimming my chosen unread Kindle books when this one my eye. The title is ambiguous enough not to give away the story and the cover artwork is itself beautiful.
  
  I must be still influenced by my stereotyped horsy-girl phase that I was charmed enough to be captured by the promise of not only a horse but one that also promise magic. Who can truly resist?
  
  The writing and reading are both simple enough to enjoy for young readers who will also appreciate the story's shortness. Added the author's ability of beautiful description and although the book may be a bit corny it definitely works.
  
  All in all this will be a great quick read for horse lovers who like to add a bit more magic into their lives and for those young readers who are interested by types of tales. As for me I can't wait to read some more books from the series and see whether the magic continues in the other books of the series as well
  
  
• 
  Elsbeth

  Magical short story, filled with colours, friendship and happiness!
• 
  Rosie

  Stargazer is a pony which lives on a carousel. He feels excitement during the day, as children scramble to score a ride on Stargazer’s saddle, with lights, music and colors ablaze surrounding him. But at night, when the music and the colors stop, all Stargazer can think about is the excitement that the following day brings when the crowds return. It isn’t until one child, Sebastian, climbs into Stargazer’s saddle, that a telepathic conversation between the two ensues, with Sebastian suggesting that life on a carousel is boring, before telling Stargazer of the wild ponies and stallions that run free and experience the magnificence of nature. Suddenly feeling restricted, Stargazer imagines himself stretching, running, jumping and enjoying the wind in his mane. He wants it so much that it comes to be. After witnessing the magnificent transformation of a wooden pony into a living being, all of the other ponies on the carousel follow suit, leaving behind their world of mundane repetitiveness in order to explore what the world has to offer.
  
  Angharad Thompson Rees’ tale had me emotionally conflicted initially. At first, I saw Sebastian as possibly a nasty boy who was trying to tease the carousel pony, sending him into depression, but the more the child told the wooden pony about the playfulness and excitement of horses and ponies running free in the wild, excitement and determination to be one of those ponies started taking over from Stargazer’s depression. The Painted Pony shows that if you live in a box and only know a simple and sheltered life, the only thing you have to look forward to is existing the next day, but once you discover what is outside that box – the excitement and the magnificence that you are missing out on, the more you want it. By the time I had finished reading The Painted Pony, I was filled with an excitement I had not felt since I was a child. The desire to spread one’s wings is a natural thing, and Stargazer’s life began anew when he saw what was potentially waiting for him. It simply took a nudge in the right direction for him to attain freedom, which is the perfect beginning to an adventure series for children. I applaud the author on such a well-written tale and look forward to the next book in the Magical Adventures & Pony Tales series. I recommend The Painted Pony to young readers from 5-8 who are not afraid to delve into the imaginary world of magic and adventure.
  
  - Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
  
• 
  E.C. Kraeft

  This story is about a wooden horse, Stargazer, who lives on a carousel. Stargazer is very happy making children happy as a carousel horse until he meets a boy named, Sebastian. Sebastian makes Stargazer believe in his potential and the two become friends.
  This very descriptive book is a great read aloud for parents and kids. The length of the book is good for one or two sittings, or for revisiting a cute tale. This story will get the imagination flowing for any young reader who loves horses.
  
• 
  Gabby

  A wonderful story that teaches people that if you believe and work hard you can get what you dream of. Also that sometimes you dream of things you didn't even know about to begin with. Beautifully written and fun.
• 
  Lady The Owls

  Dream a Little Dream
  
  What a darling story for any big or girl. To dream and fantasize. This would be great to share or read at bedtime together for any child and parent.
• 
  Susan

  This short story was written so well that it was refreshing to read. Recommended.
• 
  Jennifer Schlicher Ebert

  It was a really good book.
  
  I loved the book it was really nice. I just wish it was a little longer, or they made a second one.
• 
  Aleisha Rose

  It was good and I enjoyed the short story. I couldn’t really get into it as it was so short but it was still enjoyable
• 
  HDS

  A charming short story.
• 
  K-BRC

  Great for middle grade readers who love animal stories.
• 
  Gigi Sedlmayer

  A great little story for the young, even I enjoyed it, not being a young anymore. Magical, indeed.
• 
  Cyndy

  A short and sweet read about a boy and a pony. The boy tells the pony about the wild horses he watches. Can you be whatever you want to be, if you believe you can?
• 
  Crimson Books

  A very sweet and very short story I plan to read the rest
• 
  Patricia

  
  
        This story is about Stargazer a carousal horse who loves his job. Until the day he meets Sebastion a young boy who can hear his thoughts . This is a special relationship and opens up a world to Stargazer and the wildlings .
      This was a sweet story of the world of a carousal horse and the imagination of one young boy . The author paints such a sweet wonderful story. Full of wonder and awe , it truly is a magical book .  The way the author writes is poetic . You are sent to a magical place where anything is possible . This story is meant to be read with your child or even by your child .  What would make this book even better would be illistrations of Stargazer and Seb.
     I would say that a child in the fourth grade and up would love this story . Even adults who read this story to a child would love it . So if you love horses and magic . Check out The painted pony stores .
    I received this book from netgalley and this is my honest review .
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Rachel

  To much magic and imagination
  
  Because it is fair and I disliked all the magic and I hope in the books to come there is less magic
  M girl
• 
  Christine Meunier

  Review to follow!
• 
  Elena Paige

  What a gorgeous book, that any girl or boy would love to read. Full of amazing imagery and very imaginative. I hope the author writes more!!! Extremely inspiring and uplifting.
• 
  Ann

  A really cute story about a carousel horse. A childrens story , but I read it because I like horses. Ride free in the wind and enjoy your life.
• 
  Emmy

  Short and sweet. But not one of Angharad's best works.
• 
  Gay

  A cute tale of a carousel pony and the little boy who helped him believe he could be free. This story helps children to believe if you believe hard enough anything is possible. Great for imaginative children.