Big Apple Barn #1: Happy Go Lucky
September 4th 2008 02:30
Reading Level -- about 2.1
Length -- 96 pages
Chapter Book -- few pictures
Warnings : None
Rating: 5 Stars!!
This sweet book is the first in a series by Kristin Earhart tracing life at a friendly riding farm called "Big Apple Barn." This story follows Happy Go Lucky, a young horse who has just been transfered to Big Apple Barn. Confused and lonely, Happy Go Lucky takes the advice of a fellow colt and "disobey's" his rider in the ring, resulting in feeling embarassed and sad when he learns he's let down his new owners. A friendly mouse in the barn explains to him that the colt wasn't TRYING to cause trouble, he just wanted different things than Happy does. Happy, of course, gets a second chance, and is able to follow what HE knows is right and prove he is an excellent riding horse.
As a parent I loved this book-- the lessons it teaches ( rely on your own definition of right and wrong, not what your peers tell you; choose to do what is right; etc) are great ones and familiar ones. One lesson that is equally important, but often ignored is the idea that your friends may not be TRYING to mislead you, but may simply want different things. Happy doesn't have to ignore his friend, or make a major moral stand - he simply learns to make his own decisions instead of being a follower. Wholesome, moral, age appropriate. The main characters are animals, and the human beings are portrayed as nice and good as well.
As a child, my daughter loved this book. The words and writing were solid, and kept her engaged. The chapters are short, and the book is not a difficult read ( it took her about 2 hours of reading spread over 2 days -- took me about 25 minutes of skim-reading) but it is a fun read. Best of all, it's only the beginning of a great new series! I'll keep you posted on the next couple of books as we read them!
Thanks for following along!
Length -- 96 pages
Chapter Book -- few pictures
Warnings : None
Rating: 5 Stars!!
This sweet book is the first in a series by Kristin Earhart tracing life at a friendly riding farm called "Big Apple Barn." This story follows Happy Go Lucky, a young horse who has just been transfered to Big Apple Barn. Confused and lonely, Happy Go Lucky takes the advice of a fellow colt and "disobey's" his rider in the ring, resulting in feeling embarassed and sad when he learns he's let down his new owners. A friendly mouse in the barn explains to him that the colt wasn't TRYING to cause trouble, he just wanted different things than Happy does. Happy, of course, gets a second chance, and is able to follow what HE knows is right and prove he is an excellent riding horse.
As a parent I loved this book-- the lessons it teaches ( rely on your own definition of right and wrong, not what your peers tell you; choose to do what is right; etc) are great ones and familiar ones. One lesson that is equally important, but often ignored is the idea that your friends may not be TRYING to mislead you, but may simply want different things. Happy doesn't have to ignore his friend, or make a major moral stand - he simply learns to make his own decisions instead of being a follower. Wholesome, moral, age appropriate. The main characters are animals, and the human beings are portrayed as nice and good as well.
As a child, my daughter loved this book. The words and writing were solid, and kept her engaged. The chapters are short, and the book is not a difficult read ( it took her about 2 hours of reading spread over 2 days -- took me about 25 minutes of skim-reading) but it is a fun read. Best of all, it's only the beginning of a great new series! I'll keep you posted on the next couple of books as we read them!
Thanks for following along!
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