Wendy’s Perfect Pony

Dream Pony Riders, Wendy's Perfect Pony, Book 4 cover, a middle-grade novel revealing the Wendy's tender heart when she helps a neglected pony find new purpose.
Part of the Dream Pony Riders series:
Editions:Hardcover: $ 17.99
ISBN: 9781952371158
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 181
Paperback: $ 9.99
ISBN: • 9781952371141
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 181
Kindle: $ 3.99
ISBN: 9781952371134
Pages: 149

Wendy’s Perfect Pony

A talented young rider envisions her perfect horse as she shops for a jumper. With every horse she tries, she clings to the hope that it will be the one. But her dreams are dashed by disappointments, and her heart is drawn to a neglected pony.
If she gives in to her magnetic attraction to a sad, skinny gelding, she’d have to give up her show-jumping dreams.

Published:
Imprint: Hastings Creations Group
Editors:
Deirdre Lockhart—Brilliant Cut Editing

Genres:
Grade level: ‎3-7, Juvenile Fiction, Reading age: 8-12 years

Tags:
author, book series, dream pony riders, horse books, susan count

Excerpt:

Wendy barged into Grandma’s house and threw her shoulder against the door arguing with the March winds. “I’m here!”

She chuckled at the Chinese checkers challenge already set up on a small oak table. Canary yellow marbles for her and bright blue for Grandma. She headed to the rattle of the teakettle whistle and turned off the stove.

“Grandma? I’m here.” She poured hot water into the waiting cups.

Grandma whisked in the back door with the cat cuddled under her neck, and both of them wrapped in a scarf. “Bad, bad kitty. Never letting you go outside ever again if you bother my birds.” Grandma kissed Wendy’s cheek. “Hello, dear. Game on!”

Following Grandma into the living room, Wendy carried the tea tray. “Ready for me to beat you today?”

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Grandma tugged her bulky hand-knitted sweater onto her shoulder. Her silver-white hair skimmed along the teal yarn collar. “Who knows, this may be your day.” She settled into a gliding rocker and snuggled the white Persian in her lap. “You can even go first.”

For several minutes, the low rumble of the purring cat was the only sound as Wendy and Grandma made move after move.

“Every game, I learn one more of your tricks, and someday soon, it will be me saying ‘I win.’” Wendy poised her fingers over the board as she considered her best move.

“I’m happy to teach you my tricks.” Grandma fluttered her eyelashes behind her wire-rimmed glasses as she smiled over her teacup. “You are my favorite granddaughter.”

“I’m your only.”

“True. Doesn’t make you less special.” Grandma double jumped a marble into her triangle end zone.

The wall-mounted mailbox on the porch rattled.

“I’ll get it.” Wendy leaped to her feet and hurried across the room. “Thank you, Mr. George.” She reached into the box and picked out a couple envelopes and a small package.

“You’re welcome. You beat your grandma at that game yet?”

“No, sir. Not yet. I’m working on it. You got any tips?”

“Not me.” He waved as he continued on his path.
She closed the door with her hip, laid the mail beside Grandma’s teacup, and took up her position opposite the game board.

Grandma moved a marble and handed her the package. “It’s for you.”

Wendy shot her hands forward to take it. “What is it?”

“A thank you for being here. I love having you around.” At a loss for words, Wendy stared into Grandma’s eyes, knowing words between them weren’t necessary. She picked at the flap on the package until she grabbed a corner, then ripped it away, and slid out a book. “Selah’s Stolen Dream! This has been on my wish list for a year. It’s the last book in the series, so the title makes you afraid she doesn’t get her beautiful Dream back.” Wendy hugged the book. “If you are trying to win by distracting me—it’s working.”

COLLAPSE

THEME

Wendy’s Perfect Pony  by Susan Count is a coming-of-age, middle-grade novel that is book four in the Dream Pony Riders Series about riding ponies. Parents of readers, age 8 -12, appreciate the life lessons teaching the importance of family, living with purpose, perseverance in dealing with challenges, second chances, and lasting friendships. The story promotes self-reliance in a page turning, joyful narrative.

  • Friendship,
  • Second chances,
  • Overcoming challenges,
  • Kindness,
  • Living with purpose,
  • Pursuit of dreams,
  • Good deeds,

 

Other Sales Links

https://www.target.com/p/wendy-s-perfect-pony-by-susan-count-paperback/-/A-90769845

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wendy-s-Perfect-Pony-Paperback-9781952371141/5141557442

Wendy's Perfect Pony (Dream Pony Riders Book #4)

KEYWORDS

  • Faith-spiritual,
  • Animals, Horses,
  • Life Lessons,
  • Great for Gifting,
  • For Elementary School Readers,
  • For Middle School Readers, Middle Grade,
  • Chapter Book,
  • Part of a Series,
  • Horse Books for Girls 8-12,
  • Horse Riding
  • Coming of Age.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023903866

  • Identifiers: LCCN 2023903866 | ISBN 9781952371158 (hardcover) | ISBN
  • 9781952371141 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781952371134 (ebook)
  • Subjects: LCSH: Ponies — Juvenile fiction. | Empathy — Juvenile fiction. |
  • Friendship — Juvenile fiction. | Perseverance (Ethics) — Juvenile fiction. |
  • BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Horses. | JUVENILE FICTION /
  • Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes /
  • Friendship.
  • Classification: LCC PZ7.1 C68 W46 2023 | DDC [Fic]—

Preach It, Grace: A Girl’s Testimony of Faith

Dream Pony Riders, Book 5, Preach It, Grace - A Child's Testimony of Faith cover show a buckskin Welsh pony and a girl riding barefack and forming a heart with her hands around the pony's neck.
Part of the Dream Pony Riders series:
Editions:Hardcover: $ 18.99
ISBN: 9781952371189
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 173
Paperback: $ 9.99
ISBN: 9781952371172
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 173
Kindle: $ 3.99
ISBN: 9781952371165

Preach It, Grace: A Girl’s Testimony of Faith

The pony share Grace worked out with her elderly neighbor was ideal—she thought. Mr. Harvey bought the buckskin gelding’s food and Grace fed him. The pony was important to both of them so it made no sense when the elderly man sent him away. And why won’t he tell her where?

Published:
Imprint: Hastings Creations Group
Editors:
Deirdre Lockhart—Brilliant Cut Editing

Genres:
Grade level: ‎3-7, Juvenile Fiction, Reading age: 8-12 years

Tags:
author, book series, dream pony riders, horse books, susan count

Excerpt:

The door opened, and Mr. Harvey waved her in. She set the plate on his kitchen table and sat down across from it.

“Planning to stay, are you?”

“Thought you’d like some company while you eat.”

“You’re not bad company.”

“Thank you. Neither are you.” She sighed as the small talk helped her relax,
Mr. Harvey removed the foil and bent to smell the roast.

“Gravy and lots of it.”

“Mom knows how you like it. I fixed the salad.”

He nodded and dug into his meal.
When his mouth was full, Grace brought the conversation around to what was important. “I took my first riding lesson today. I learned everything about how to tack up and mount. I practiced turning and stopping. I rode a sweet mare named China, but all I could think about was how much more fun it will be when I can ride Preacher.”

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but put in another bite of roast instead.

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“I got horse feed for Preacher today, and I was thinking I could just take over making sure he has feed. Would that be good?”

Mr. Harvey chewed and didn’t give her any idea of what he was thinking.

“And I could take over paying for his hoof trims. It seems silly for you to have to do it when Preacher’s kinda my pet.” She looked for a clue to his reaction, but a stone wall doesn’t reveal anything.

Then he started shaking his head, so she better get the reason she was here on the table before she lost her chance and her nerve.

“What would you think about selling Preacher to me? You wouldn’t have any more pony expenses, and he’d have a good home forever.” Grace searched her brain for what she was leaving out, then added what she was sure would convince him. “Your wife would’ve wanted that for him.”

“I have a plan for that pony.”“You do? What?”“I’ll tell you when it’s worked out and not before.”Grace bit into the insides of her cheeks before she could argue that he should talk to her about what he was planning to do with her pony. The truth was he could do anything he wanted and she couldn’t stop him.

COLLAPSE

THEME

Preach It, Grace by Susan Count is a coming-of-age, middle-grade novel that is book five in the Dream Pony Riders Series about riding and caring for ponies. Parents of readers, age 8 -12, appreciate the life lessons teaching the importance of faith and family, living with purpose, pursuit of dreams, care of the elderly, and lasting friendships. The story promotes kindness in a page turning, joyful narrative.

  • Horse Care,
  • Dementia
  • Care for elderly neighbor
  • Plan of salvation
  • Respect for parents and elders
  • Longing for a pony

EDITORIAL REVIEW

  • Faith-spiritual,
  • In Count's middle-grade novel, a young girl bonds with her elderly neighbor's pony and is distraught when he sends him away.
    Twelve-year-old Grace has fallen in love with the pony next door, a buckskin gelding she names Preacher (because his whinnying and pacing remind her of her dad's sermons at church). Preacher belongs to Mr. Harvey, an irascible old widower for whom Grace's mother prepares food and whom Grace has adopted as her "grump-pa" ("Thank you, Grace. You're very kind to a grumpy old man"). When Mr. Harvey hurts his foot, Grace leaps at the chance to help him feed Preacher. Soon, she's grooming the pony and preparing him to have his hooves clipped. When she tries to ride him, however, the ensuing accident only serves to convince Mr. Harvey and Grace's mother that Preacher is dangerous. Desperate to show otherwise, Grace signs up for summer horse camp and riding lessons. She's sure that if she learns the ropes herself, she'll be able to train Preacher—and maybe even buy him from Mr. Harvey. Her hopes are dashed when she comes home from camp to find Preacher gone; Mr. Harvey, who is suffering from dementia, has sent him away and can't remember where. Will Grace ever be reunited with her beloved horse? Count crafts a straightforward narrative with easy, cantering prose. Grace is an endearing protagonist, full of love, optimism and excitement—but, on the flip side, she also exhibits a debilitating urgency and a flurry of "what if?" doubts. The relationship she forms with Mr. Harvey is a heartfelt bond that, when revealed, proves unexpectedly touching. Mr. Harvey himself is a well-drawn character, both his dementia and his affectionate nature hidden beneath a gruff exterior, an aversion to religion, and lingering grief over his wife's death. The story is full of horse-talk and equine adoration sufficient to warm the hearts of all those who love ponies (in real life or on the page).
    Sweet pony fiction that ticks all the boxes and delivers depth beyond genre. Kirkus Reviews

 

  • Preach It, Grace is a Christian horse story about faith, friendship, and how both are tested when the effort of sharing a pony goes awry. But, this isn't the usual band of girls who do the sharing. It's Grace and her elderly neighbor, which enhances the plot by surveying intergenerational differences and conflicts when Mr. Harvey suddenly sends Preacher away ... and won't tell Grace where and why he's gone.
    Mr. Harvey has been talking about Preacher's behavior issues and handling. Grace's efforts to tame Preacher and demonstrate that he is, indeed, a good horse creates an aura of kindness and understanding that surrounds her with faith and well-being, but events also introduce challenges that lead her to question her own motivations and heart:
    "Why wouldn't Mr. Harvey think about what she said? She talked to herself as she collected the eggs. 'Get over it, Grace! So you didn't get what you wanted. Were you only helping him because you're selfish?' ­That question niggled her heart. That would make me a terrible person. I help him because I want to. Because it's the right thing to do. Because I love that cranky old man like my own grandpa."
    Where other stories about horse-crazy girls focus on horses pretty much to the exclusion of interpersonal relationships, Susan Count 's focus on the evolving, changing dynamics of faith and friendship adds value to Grace's horse-centric experiences and focus. It also creates opportunities for Christian young reader group discussions.
    The insights on friendship, motivation, perception, and conflict resolution rest on a series of interactions that will not only entertain girls who love horses, but gently leads them to consider accompanying issues of sharing jobs, friendship, faith, and the interactions and contrasting perceptions of old age and youth.
    All these facets make Preach It, Grace of exceptional and special interest to Christian young readers. This audience will receive all the passion and lively experiences of horses, tempered by the equal passion for God, family and friends, and growth. All these elements make Grace a realistic, compelling character who learns invaluable lessons about interacting with the world around her. D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

 

  • Honorable Mention - Angel Book Awards
    This was a very emotional touching story. It was beautifully resolved in a way I didn't expect. It felt slow to start and I really didn't care for Grace's sense of entitlement to Preacher throughout the book...over all a strong story that I'm pleased to add to my daughter's shelf.
    Most youth are not around horses or may have never thought this in depth about horses. That being said, it is an opportunity for their minds to wonder and be curious, to learn something new. This opportunity to learn about horses and being an equestrian will spark and keep the youth's interest while reading the book. I believe the horse anatomy and tack diagrams make it even more engaging.
    Yolonda Tonette Sanders, Ph.D., and Cindy Thomson, FFBF Directors
    Scott Brown, Julie Dearyan, and Sandra Merville Hart, Jason Karpf, FFBF CommitteePreach It, Grace is the fifth book in Susan Count's Dream Pony Riders series for older elementary children. I have not read the other books in the series. While I did at times feel I might be missing information, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.
    Older elementary children are often interested in horse/pony stories making this a great title for the age group. Grace is like many of the girls who will read this title. She is willing to do what she needs to in order to spend time with the pony she loves. She also exhibits love, caring and understanding for her elderly neighbor. Grace is a preacher's daughter and her faith plays a heavy role in the story, even when others ridicule her for her faith.
    Preach It, Grace would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for older elementary-aged children as well as some middle schoolers. Library Lady's Kid Lit"Preach It Grace" by Susan Count is a great read for young girls who likes horses. It is a great story about what love and faith can do. This book is book number 5 of 6. I haven't read any of the others, but I didn't have trouble following the story so I believe that maybe they could be stand alones . But I can tell you that after reading this book, I definitely want to read the others. I really like Grace's determination to do the right thing even when it seemed like all odds were against her. I love the relationship between Grace and her elderly neighbor. I definitely recommend this book. Debbie's Dusty Deliberations'Preach It, Grace: A Girl's Testimony of Faith is the fifth installment from the Dream Pony Riders series by Susan Count. Even though it is part of a series and since I have not read the other books in it, I believe it can easily be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed this story of faith with lessons to be learned by the reader. I loved it.
    I am going to give Preach It, Grace: A Girl's Testimony of Faith five stars. I recommend it for readers between the ages of seven and twelve years old, as well as, those who are horse lovers. I would love to read the other books from the Dream Pony Riders series to see what happened previously. Locks, Hooks and Books
  • "Where other stories about horse-crazy girls focus on horses pretty much to the exclusion of interpersonal relationships, Susan Count 's focus on the evolving, changing dynamics of faith and friendship adds value to Grace's horse-centric experiences and focus." D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Honorable Mention - Angel Book Awards

 

Other Sales Links

Book Review–Preach It, Grace

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/susan-count/preach-it-grace/

https://www.target.com/p/preach-it-grace-dream-pony-riders-by-susan-count-hardcover/-/A-91655583

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1129802592144506&set=a.468679438256828

Preach It, Grace

https://books.google.com/books/about/Preach_It_Grace.html?id=AsVw0AEACAAJ

 

 

KEYWORDS

  • Faith-spiritual,
  • Animals, Horses,
  • Life Lessons,
  • Great for Gifting,
  • For Elementary School Readers,
  • For Middle School Readers, Middle Grade,
  • Chapter Book,
  • Part of a Series,
  • Horse Books for Girls 8-12,
  • Horse Riding,
  • Coming of Age.

 

THEME

Preach It, Grace by Susan Count is a coming-of-age, middle-grade novel that is book five in the Dream Pony Riders Series about riding and caring for ponies. Parents of readers, age 8 -12, appreciate the life lessons teaching the importance of faith and family, living with purpose, pursuit of dreams, care of the elderly, and lasting friendships. The story promotes kindness in a page turning, joyful narrative.

  • Horse Care,
  • Dementia
  • Care for elderly neighbor
  • Plan of salvation
  • Respect for parents and elders
  • Longing for a pony

 

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023903923

  • Identifiers: LCCN 2023903923 | ISBN 9781952371189 (hardcover) | ISBN
  • 9781952371172 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781952371165 (ebook)
  • Subjects: LCSH: Ponies — Juvenile fiction. | Faith — Juvenile fiction. | Friendship —
  • Juvenile fiction. | Kindness — Juvenile fiction. | Perseverance (Ethics) — Juvenile
  • fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Horses. | JUVENILE
  • FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Th emes
  • / Religion & Faith
  • Classification: LCC PZ7.1 C68 P74 2023 | DDC [Fic]—dc22
  • LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023903923