Winter

A book about an old man and his ponies. ages 5 to 8

This book shows the physical experiences of a group of ponies who have been let out of their stalls to get some fresh air and exercise on a beautiful, cold winter day. Lovely prose and illustrations.
Source: Pierce County Library (Lakewood)
Ages: 5-9

i am a sucker for things hidden in pictures

This story is about Old Man Winter and his ponies. Old Man Winter gathers his ponies from the barn and places them in the gate. Once all of the ponies were in the gate he asks them if they were ready and the ponies knod in response. He then opens the gate and he watches the ponies run free into the open fields. As the ponies are running in the fields everything they touch turns white. By the time the ponies get tired snow is evverywhere. The ponies start heading back to the barn and Old Man Winter covers them up with a blanket and smiles.

I liked the way the story has a hint of realty mixed into the fantasy. For example, people always say "Old Man Winter has paid us a visit" once winter comes around; but we all know what really happened was the season changed.

I would not read this story aloud to my students, but I would defiently have it in my classroom library. You can use this story with a seasons unit or a horse unit. ( )