Molly the Pony: A True Story

This book is very well written by Pam Kaster, who also provided the photographs, and she is qualified to do so, being a member of the Equine Photographers Network. Her words are well chosen for young children, but I can't imagine anyone of any age not finding the book fascinating until the very end where, in the section, "More about Molly", we are informed that Molly "is a cross between a Shetland Pony and an Appaloosa," and was 18 years of age when she was rescued in 2005. The average life span of a pony is 25 years. There are many photographs of this very brave horse, some of them taken even before the amputation of her front leg below the knee took place, which was necessary due to a dog bite. After she received a prosthetic limb (it took three tries to get it just right), black and silver with a round rubber hoof having a smiley face on the bottom, it took a while for her to adjust to it, but now she even trots. I don't know if I've ever seen such excellent page design in a children's book (maybe the books of Jan Brett are an equal), which incorporates the smiley face of the hoof bottom, and each time one turns a page, the next two pages are of a different color, all of them pretty. The book cover design, by Michelle A. Neustrom, does justice to Molly as she looks right out at the viewer while standing on her prosthetic limb as if saying "Hello!". An elastic wrap is used to support the other front leg as now it has to bear more weight. But Molly has learned to shift some of this weight to her hind legs. A very smart and loveable horse! Now she is helping others therapeutically as others have helped her. Molly is the winner of the 2008 ASPCA® Henry Bergh Children's Book Award in the Nonfiction Humane Heroes category! This is a very special story and a very special book. So glad I ordered it so I could meet Molly.

I gave many copies of this book for Christmas and taped it as well on a simple tape recorder. Who doesn’t love a little pony, trapped in a barn during a hurricane? She ends up being mauled by roaming dogs and winds up being the heroine for other hospitalized children, wounded persons and homes for the aged. Her prosthetic leg leaves a smilie face wherever she goes. Just like she does! So inspiring! The kids ate it up! Great author!! M. MANDER, M.Ed.

Kids enjoyed reading the story and the inspiration from it. Love the smile that Molly leaves with every foot print…

This is the incredible story of Molly, a Pony of the Americas, who survived for 2 weeks with no care after Hurricane Katrina. Then she was rescued and taken to a farm, where she was attacked by a brutal dog. Her leg had to be removed. She was fitted with a prosthetic device--complete with a smiley face on the bottom of her "hoof." She was very patient while she was fitted. Now she goes to nursing homes and children's homes and brings a smile to their faces. It brought tears to my eyes. I love the pictures too. What a magnificent story!!

As someone who watched horses being rescued after Hurricane Katrina, I really appreciate how the author relates Molly’s story in a way appropriate to young horse lovers. It was a very difficult time and the heroics of the rescuers and veterinarians is very underrated. Well done and thanks for this story.

My seven year old twin grand-daughters feel in love with this book when we checked it out of the library. It is truly a touching and uplifting story. The kindness and devotion shown to this unfortunate pony after Hurricane Katrina sets a wonderful example for children. The girls sometimes had trouble sharing the book, so for their birthday, I bought them each a copy. I notice that now each copy occupies a place of honor in their bedrooms.

I was a bit disappointed in this book, after reading news reports about the good work Molly is now doing with injured humans. As a whole this is a well written story about a mature pony with great pluck and stamina. However, in my opinion, not enough was said about the encouragement she gives to children and adults, civilians and military, in her visits. Still, my 4 year old granddaughter insisted on having me read it to her three times in succession, when it arrived.

I purchased this book for my 5-year-old grandson, who has not seen it yet. I am pleased with the simple telling of the story, the multitude of pictures, and the vocabulary development (e.g. prosthesis, amputation). I also shared this book with a friend who teaches children's engineering (STEM) at a local elementary school. They study various technologies, problems and solutions, etc. This story fits nicely into the area of medical technologies.