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Children's Fiction Horses

The Pony and the Starling

by (author) Jennifer McGrath

illustrated by Kristina Jones

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.

Kristina Jones' profile page

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