Category: Children Publisher: Willow Bend Publishing
ISBN-10: 0983113807
Type: Fiction
Pages: 122
Copyright: Sept. 2011
ISBN-13: 9780983113805
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Pidgy's Surprise is the story of Cindy Sawyer and her adorable pony Pidgy. Early reader chapter book/ages 7-8, paperback edition includes over 80 original drawings.
Pidgy's Surprise is the story of Cindy Sawyer and her plucky little Shetland pony named Pidgy. Cindy is always dreaming of the beautiful horse she hopes to own. Ponies are nice, but a horse would be wonderful. Cindy's dream soon becomes an obsession and her parents realize that she is becoming a very unhappy girl. After a summer full of fun and riding, a morning comes when Pidgy goes missing. Not until she looks into the empty stall does Cindy realize how much she really loves her pony.
Excerpt
At the far end of Randall’s Pond grew rushes and reeds and lily pads. And FROGS! Some sudden splashing announced that, their sunning interrupted, a few of these long-legged jumping jacks had made a swift departure to the pond’s cool depths. When Cindy and Pete arrived, three round ripples, growing wider, were the only indication that there had been any action among the lily pads.
“Well, go ahead my little hoss-lovin’ water fairy, let’s see how Pidgy makes out as a sea horse,—or should I say ‘pond pony’?” laughed Pete.
Cindy giggled. Never was anyone more fun than Pete. She thought the world of him.
Pidgy wasn’t too sure she wanted to be a “pond pony” however, so she stood at the water’s edge with her ears turned back and shook her heavy forelock in a negative manner.
“Use your heels!” called Pete.
Cindy did. And Pidgy sprang into action. Impatiently she thrashed the water with flying hoofs, sending it in a fine spray in all directions. Cindy used her heels again. This time the pony, finding this water business might be rather fun, gathered all four legs together and gave a mighty leap. KER-SPLASH! She did a perfect “belly-flop” right into the lily pads. Miraculously Cindy stayed with her. She was soaking wet again as was Pidgy, but neither thought about that.
The water at this end of the pond was clear enough but full of all kinds of sub-surface greenery. At least it had been clear until Pidgy’s launching. Now everything was churned into a brown-green murkiness. Cindy’s strong young legs clung to her pony’s sodden sides as with little leaps resembling those of a carousel horse, Pidgy swam gaily amid the rushes and lily pads.
The pony had lifted the tip of her muzzle and all her front teeth showed. Watching all this, Pete roared with laughter. It struck him as the funniest sight he had ever seen. There were Cindy and Pidgy floating about in the towering rushes with a whole convoy of lily pads behind them. Their long stems had tangled in the pony’s ample tail. And when Pidgy looked up with that ridiculous smile on her pony face, Pete laughed till his sides ached and he had to get off Old Lew before he fell off. As for Cindy, she was having the time of her young life.
Just then a frog...
Professional Reviews
A Fun Read!
"...a fun read for all ages. This is a great book to read to your two-year-old or read it yourself in between the mysteries, romances, adventures or science fiction books that are normally on your reading list. In addition to the captivating story line, all of the detailed illustrations throughout the book, expertly done by the author and world renown equine artist, help your imagination bring the story to life." - Vermont Morgan Horse Association
Fantastically Illustrated
"Written and fantastically illustrated by famed equine artist Jeanne Mellin, this re-release of a popular story from the 1950's offers a heartfelt story of a young girl and her discovery of the path of her dreams. Whether a horse enthusiast or not, this book is a loving, kind story with a huge amount of heart. Not to mention the gorgeous illustrations are something that both children and adults will absolutely love. Enjoy!" - Amy Lignor, BookPleasures.com
A Sweet Tale for Children
"Pidgy's Surprise addresses a situation that plays out in most homes, whether the object of the child's longing is a horse or not. Kids will immediately identify with Cindy, knowing how it feels to want something so badly and to have parents who just don't seem to understand. Author Jeanne Mellin allows young readers to think more deeply about the issues involved as they follow the story of Cindy and Pidgy, her Shetland pony. Quill says: Animal-lovers will enjoy the close relationship between a girl and her pony while learning to appreciate what they already have." - Eloise Michael, Feathered Quill Book Reviews
