The Princess and the Pony

I was thrilled to find this book by the author/illustrator of Ducks at the library and borrowed it immediately. It's a hilarious story of a feisty princess, her nearly spherical birthday-gift pony (whose picture appears on the narrator's sketch pad in Ducks! Nice touch!), and the most unexpected Warrior Battle ever. (Actually a tournament mêlée, I guess, since it occurs on schedule in some sort of arena and scores are kept.) There are just enough pony farts (two) to keep little boys happily chuckling without unduly annoying parents. Kate Beaton is a genius. Is it too soon to declare this a new classic of children's literature? Because it just might be. It's reminiscent of The Paper Bag Princess, in both humour and its determined show more princess, so we can hope it's a book with similarly lasting popularity, destined for multiple reprints.

It made such an impression on my 7 year old grandson that when I found a copy at the Scholastic book fair and wanted to buy it, he insisted that we already own it. He had me at least half convinced. I bought it anyway ("All right, Nonna, you can have it" he sighed) and since as it turned out, we didn't have the book at home, I'm very happy about the purchase. show less

Princess Pinecone is the smallest warrior in the kingdom, and longs to show everyone just what she can do. Having asked for a fierce war-horse many times, her wish is finally granted on her birthday... sort of. The pony she is given turns out to be somewhat different from what she was envisioning. Fat and small, with occasionally crisscrossed eyes, and a tendency to fart when excited, the pony is no one'd idea of a battle-winning steed. Still, a princess can always try, and Pinecone struggles to teach her pony the necessary skills, before the upcoming 'great battle.' Things rarely turn out as one expects, however, and Pinecone and her pony find themselves the unexpected stars of the show, when everyone from Otto the Awful to Sally Smash show more take them to heart.

The debut children's book from noted cartoonist Kate Beaton, whose Hark! A Vagrant collects many of her hilarious comics, The Princess and the Pony takes two themes that are frequently popular with young girls - princesses and ponies - and goes in a different direction with them. As someone who has enjoyed Beaton's adult work - "Dude-Watching With the Brontes" is a particular favorite - I was quite excited to discover this first foray into the world of children's publishing, and certainly hope it won't be the last. Humorous and heartwarming by equal measure, with entertaining comic-style illustrations, this is a picture-book that will engage younger children, and hold their attention. Highly recommended to anyone looking for princess tales with a twist, as well as to fans of the creator. show less

What a delight this one is!! A tiny warrior leads her fluffy steed into battle....there isn't much fighting after the rotund little equine charms the warriors.....but, there's plenty of laughs and a few farts!

The artwork is cute, silly and cartoony. Princess Pinecone is a warrior princess, but she's tiny and gets a unique pony and cozy sweater instead of weapons and armor for her birthday. She has a hard time training her pony to fight and instead of winning a battle with force and brute, they win their opponents over with kindness and being cute. I believe it is important for girls to have a strong female main character that is not sexualized, violent or angry. To be strong, a woman does not have to abandon all that is considered wholly feminine, but embrace it and create harmony instead of eliminating those who doubt them.

This is one of my favorite things I've read all year. PONY! And a diverse cast and silly farting pony jokes and tough warriors who also like cuddly sweaters and cute ponies. It's got funny art and a charming and story and you should go read it right now.

I've never much been one for stories about Princesses, but Princess Pinecone may be the exception. It is clear that she loves the idea of fighting and being a warrior, but she's also a tiny little girl whose parents love her, and want to give her happy and cozy things.

The marvelous thing about this book is that neither is considered to be a bad thing. Pinecone is never judged for her warrior tendencies, nor for the fact that she has an adorable pony. The climax and resolution of the story arise specifically because these two opposite traits are united. Pinecone finds that the side of herself that she was rejecting is precisely what the "actual" warriors wanted to express the most.

Of course, this is a reading that no child is likely to show more take from a story with an adorable pony who farts too much. They'll love the art and the jokes. But parents can be sure that the moral of the story, acceptance of all of the parts of yourself, even those thought to be diametrically opposed, is okay. Pretty good stuff for a farting pony. show less

A little bit irreverent, but when a princess that wants to be a fierce warrior is given a rather small and a bit gassy pony, hilarity ensues.