PARTY PONY
by Claire Wrenn Bobrow ; illustrated by Ross Burach
A pony’s celebrations don’t quite go as expected.
Pony is really excited to attend a party! He’s got a party balloon! He’s got his party-ready polka-dot shoes on! He’s got a pearly-white party smile! He seems to be a genuinely sweet and eager friend. So imagine his disappointment when he arrives at Mouse’s party to find everyone in line, holding fast to their tickets for a promised pony ride. He obliges, begrudgingly, feeling more than a little bit left out. Pony regroups and prepares for Raccoon’s bright-pink Royal Birthday. He even has a cake fork. He even has a cake fork belt! But Raccoon just wants to brush and braid Pony’s hair. Pony’s frustration deepens till he’s ready to put a prohibition on parties altogether. Little does he know, his friends have a sweet, confetti-filled surprise in store. Bobrow’s omniscient narrator adopts a winking, chatty tone (“Aww, don’t cry, Pony! You have been a very good sport. Well, sort of a good sport. Okay, maybe not the best sport”), while Burach’s goofy drawings zestfully capture Pony’s broad emotions. Pony’s massive, fuzzy face easily registers disappointment, skepticism, defeat, and delight. Fans of Bob Shea’s richly comedic, strongly sympathetic work will find similar vibes here.
A high-energy, humorous read-aloud for party-loving kids.
(Picture book. 3-7)