He's My Pony (Pony Pals No. 32)
#32 in Pony pals Series
What’s inside...
After the Pony Pals teach Christine, who has cerebral palsy, to ride, Anna becomes jealous when she starts to think that her pony likes Christine better and when Christine comes up with better face-painting designs. Anna feels jealous when her neighbor's niece, Christine, arrives for a visit. Christine loves ponies, but she hasn't had a chance to ride because of her cerebral palsy. The Pony pals convince her to try lessons, but she is terrified of every horse, except Anna's Acorn. Soon Christine and Acorn develop a special bond, and Anna feels threatened.
Character compass
Lulu Sanders
Pam Crandal
Anna Harley
Discussion points
How did the characters show kindness and teamwork throughout their adventures?
What challenges did the Pony Pals face, and how did they overcome them together?
Which character did you relate to the most, and why?
If you were part of the Pony Pals, what role would you play when solving a problem?
What did you learn about caring for ponies from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts by sharing your own reflections on the book.
Ask your child to imagine different endings or scenarios, enhancing their creative thinking skills.
Relate the story’s themes to your child’s daily experiences to make the conversation more relevant.
Praise your child for their insights and contributions to the discussion to foster a positive reading environment.
Suggest role-playing a favorite scene together, which can help deepen their understanding and enjoyment of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'He's My Pony,' a main character is tasked with taking care of a pony, demonstrating the importance of daily responsibilities like feeding, grooming, and exercising the pony.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on age-appropriate chores at home, such as cleaning their room or caring for a pet, learning the value of consistency and accountability.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The story portrays characters understanding and sharing feelings with the animals they care for, emphasizing the importance of empathy towards animals.
Real-World Application: Kids can utilize this lesson by recognizing and respecting the feelings and needs of their pets or other animals they interact with, fostering a nurturing attitude.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The characters face challenges in caring for the pony that require creative solutions, promoting problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children can implement problem-solving skills learned from this book when they face obstacles in schoolwork or social interactions, encouraging them to think critically and develop solutions.
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: Working together to take care of the pony, characters in the book illustrate the benefits of cooperation with others.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in a child's life during group projects or team sports, where cooperation is essential for achieving common goals and building harmonious relationships.