Book Review: Ponyella by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans, with illustrations by Lynn Munsinger

Ponyella
by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans, with illustrations by Lynn Munsinger (jP Numeroff)

This is a terrific re-telling of Cinderella using ponies as the characters.

 

We meet Ponyella who is a beautiful pony who is happy on her small farm with the pastures and the barn and she loves jumping. Then the farm is sold and as the new owners move in they bring along two ponies as well. And as we know the Cinderella story these ponies pick on Ponyella who ends up being moved out of her clean stall and into a small, dirty stall. Ponyella does all the work pulling the coal carts and her coat becomes dirty. She is so unhappy.

 

Then, we see the Princess driven by who will be selecting the winner of the Annual Grand Royal Pony Championship! Everyone wants to attend but Ponyella is forced to remain at home. Until…her Fairy Godmare arrives.

 

The drawings by Lynn Munsinger are excellent, you feel so sorry for Ponyella. I love the fabulous trailer she rides in to the championship (as opposed to a coach). And her horseshoes are embedded with diamonds. Sadly, the clock struck Noon and Ponyella had to dash for home, leaving behind a horseshoe.

 

The story was so creative at inserting horse-themed items yet remaining close to the original story. Adults will get a kick out of this story as much as the kids. The illustrations pull you into the emotions of Ponyella – but she gets her Happy Ending.

 

I highly recommend this clever remix of Cinderella.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez, or It’s Not Little Red Riding Hood (It’s Not a Fairy Tale) by Josh Funk.)

 

( official Nate Evans author web site ) | ( official Laura Numeroff author web site )

 

Recommended by Charlotte M.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

Have you read or listened to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

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