Book Review: The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton
Princess Pinecone lives in a warrior kingdom, and wants to be a warrior herself. But instead of getting swords or plate armor for her birthdays, she always gets comfy sweaters instead. This year, Pinecone has made it very clear that she wants a warhorse, a fearsome destrier to ride into battle. Her parents…don’t exactly give her that. Pinecone’s new pony is too small and cuddly, and it farts too much. Hardly what she was hoping for.
But there is more to a warrior than just fearsomeness, and the pony has its own fine qualities that Pinecone learns to appreciate.
Kate Beaton is the creator of the Hark! A Vagrant webcomic, which is known for its humorous take on history and literature. However, one of the most popular recurring characters is the Fat Pony*, which is adorably unlike the graceful and powerful horses seen elsewhere in the strip. So it’s only natural that the pony has been spun off into its own children’s book.
*Note that the word “fat” is nowhere in this book. It’s also good on the representational front, with warriors of many shapes, sizes and skin tones.
The art is fun (look for all the background details) and the vocabulary is suitable for young readers (one or two words might need an explanation from Mom or Dad.) The lesson of the book is one that a lot of children’s books already cover, but it’s done in a nicely humorous fashion.
Recommended to families with small children that like ponies and warriors, and Kate Beaton fans.
