Ponies and princesses! In this retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale, a pony plays the part of Cinderella who captures the heart of a princess. “Once upon a time there was a beautiful horse named Ponyella. Her coat was white as marshmallow, and her mane was long and silky.” It doesn’t take much imagination to know where this story is going, but if you are a little girl between the ages of four and eight, you probably won’t care! A new owner of the farm takes the part of the wicked step-mother, and new arrivals Bun Bun and Plumpkin are the vain, self-centered step-sisters. Poor Ponyella is relegated to the back of the barnyard and made to pull carts of coal.
Princess Penelope’s Tippington 25th Annual Grand Royal Pony Championship has Bun Bun and Plumpkin all excited. Ponyella’s chance to attend is provided by her fairy godmare, who warns her of the importance of returning from the championships before the stroke of noon. Glass slippers are now diamond-studded horseshoes that only fit the sweet-hearted and pure Ponyella. Pretty, pastel-hued watercolor illustrations gently lead the reader through the story to its happy–ever-after ending. Ages 4-8 32 pages
Recommended by Katherine Stehman, Librarian
