The Mud Pony

The story begins with a young boy and ends with a leader. In the course of the story, our hero learns to trust his connection to Mother Earth, as personified by the mud pony. The hero first goes through a long journey seeking his people, then a battle to protect his people, and also a buffalo hunt to feed his people. Through trusting the pony, our hero thrives, growing stronger and braver, until he eventually becomes the... Read Full Review

This story is a wonderful way to move into working with clay. Just as the boy in the story creates his own horse from clay, allowing children to work with clay immediately after hearing this story gives them a chance to experience kinesthetically what they've heard. Rather than going immediately to reflective or responsive writing, use this step to allow the children to spend more time working it through. Then write.

This book has made a lasting impression on my first graders. They loved the story and delighted in the pastel illustrations, especially of the pony in flight. THE MUD PONY fits perfectly in the study of folklore. It appeals not only to the young mind, but to the more mature person as well. The fantasy is delightful and easily grasped by primary children. It makes a fantastic "Read Aloud" book. Read Aloud is a mandatory... Read Full Review