The Pony and the Starling
- Publisher
- Groundwood Books Ltd
- Initial publish date
- Feb 2025
- Category
- Horses, Birds, Farm & Ranch Life
- Recommended Age
- 3 to 6
- Recommended Grade
- p to 1
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781773069807
- Publish Date
- Feb 2025
- List Price
- $10.99
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781773069791
- Publish Date
- Feb 2025
- List Price
- $21.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
A girl and her mother watch an unusual friendship develop between a solitary starling and a lonely pony.
The gray pony lives in the green pasture beside the barn. One day, the girl and her mother see a flock of starlings wheel over the field. When the flock moves on, one bird remains behind — perched on the fence, near the pony.
As summer moves into autumn, the girl watches as the pony and the starling become constant companions, sharing grain, water and shade. When the days get colder, the girl begins to wonder — what will happen when winter arrives? A blizzard blows in … and the starling vanishes. Is this the end of a special friendship? And what will the spring bring?
The Pony and the Starling is a gentle story of changing seasons and an unlikely but enduring friendship.
Key Text Features
illustrations
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
About the authors
Jennifer McGrath is a professional writer and awardwinning children's author from Moncton, New Brunswick. Her two Middle Grade adventure books, Chocolate River Rescue and White Cave Escape, are popular with teachers and students alike. Jennifer is known for her enthusiastic storytelling style, her fascination with fairytales, and her fondness for sparkly things. She loves animals (especially dogs and ponies), the outdoors, and curling up in front of the fire with a good book.
Jennifer McGrath's profile page
Kristina Jones is an accomplished illustrator known for her whimsical creative style and passion for the wonder and magic of nature. With a Bachelor of Arts in illustration and design from the University of Hertfordshire, she brings a wealth of knowledge and artistic expertise to her work. Her debut picture book, The Amazing African Animal Alphabet, earned her a nomination for the respected IBBY SA Picture Book Illustrator Award in 2019. Kristina resides in Creston, British Columbia.
Editorial Reviews
Gracefully eloquent ... A lovely, lyrical depiction of friendship.
Kirkus Reviews
