This pony version of the traditional Cinderella story is bound to appeal to horse lovers. The unfortunate Ponyella loves her farm and jumping more than anything else. But her life changes dramatically when the farm is sold and Bun Bun and Plumpkin arrive. Suddenly, her stall is minuscule and she spends her days pulling a coal cart. Her hopes rise with talk of Princess Penelope and the Tippington 25th Annual Grand Royal Pony Championship, but the two newcomers soon dash them. Leave it to Ponyella’s fairy godmare to save the day, diamond horseshoes and all. Happy endings abound…and Bun Bun and Plumpkin even get their comeuppance in a satisfying ending. Munsinger’s softly colored watercolor illustrations portray Ponyella as a gorgeous white pony, while Bun Bun and Plumpkin are the epitome of “horse-faced.” There is very little to surprise anybody here, the lockstep translation of the fairy tale entirely predictable and festooned with horsey details. That doesn’t mean it won’t have readers: Horse lovers and libraries who serve them won’t want to miss this one. (Picture book. 4-8)
