• Book: “Belle” by Elizabeth Mills

    Both of our girls LOVE horses!  Their grandparents gave them several horse books which have quickly become some of their favorites.  One of the ones they enjoy is Belle by Elizabeth Mills.  The book is about a girl named Emmy who moved from the country into the big city.  Emmy loves horses and misses her home in the country but soon finds a stable were she can go riding in the park.  The horse she rides is named Belle who helps her adjust to living in the city.  If your child is starting to read independently and enjoys animals (especially horses) they will probably like this book.

  • Book & Pony Set: “Misty of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry

    Book Misty of Chincoteague (couldn’t find a picture of “Misty” and “Phantom” that came with the girls set)

    Book & Pony Set – Misty of Chincoteague  (with “Misty” and “Stormy” similar to the one we got, but couldn’t find a picture of the first book with the ponies)

    My girls are very different in many ways, even though they are twins, but they do have two things in common that they both love…….books and horses / ponies.  While I was in India my Mom came to stay with the girls and she brought their birthday gifts.  She gave the girls the book and “Misty” & “Phantom” ponies.  They were so excited when I got home to show me their book and ponies that went with it.  After we finished reading the current book they were going through they both agreed that the next book should be Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry.  Every time I would read the book the girls would get out the ponies and each of them hold one while I read.  They loved this story about a little boy and girl who worked hard to buy and raise these ponies.  It was a cute story that our family enjoyed.

    All the incidents in this story are real.  They did not happen in just the order they are recorded, but they all happened at one time or another on the little island of Chincoteague.  All the characters in the book Misty of Chincoteague really lived on Chincoteague Island.  – Marguerite Henry

    The part that was really neat about the story is it was based off a real family and event “Pony Penning Day”.   After getting into the book you quickly grow to love the Beebe family.  The grandparents dialogue is a little choppy to read but otherwise it was a wonderful story to share with your kids especially if they love horses or ponies!

  • Book: “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell

    The girls are super excited to read their new book with Daddy “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell.  The book is part of the “Treasury of Illustrated Classics”  book set which we are reading to the girls.  They recently started this book and are already hooked.  On one of our recent road trips they watched a mini series DVD on “Black Beauty” so they have been very excited to read the book.  One chapter at night is not enough for them, they keep begging Daddy to read more!  This book is about a spirited horse named “Beauty” who has had a challenging life as a horse.  The book teaches about empathy and kindness towards animals.