Patricia is thrilled when her father decides that she's finally old enough to learn to ride. But her dreams of having a beautiful horse of her own are dashed when he takes her to a stable in Dogpatch, the rundown section of town. Patricia is sure that she'll never learn anything in a place like that. But it's in Dogpatch that Patricia meets two individuals--kind, patient Mrs. Mack and a glorious chestnut mare named Penny--who help her overcome her fears, and change her life forever. Powerfully written, beautifully told, and brought to life with rich watercolor illustrations, this is a story that will touch the heart of everyone who reads it.
Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an MFA and a PhD in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen-exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Ms. Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects in the United States that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs. The mother of a grown son and a daughter, she currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.
Show morePatricia is thrilled when her father decides that she's finally old enough to learn to ride. But her dreams of having a beautiful horse of her own are dashed when he takes her to a stable in Dogpatch, the rundown section of town. Patricia is sure that she'll never learn anything in a place like that. But it's in Dogpatch that Patricia meets two individuals--kind, patient Mrs. Mack and a glorious chestnut mare named Penny--who help her overcome her fears, and change her life forever. Powerfully written, beautifully told, and brought to life with rich watercolor illustrations, this is a story that will touch the heart of everyone who reads it.
Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an MFA and a PhD in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen-exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Ms. Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects in the United States that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs. The mother of a grown son and a daughter, she currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.
Show moreStudying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an MFA and a PhD in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen-exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Ms. Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects in the United States that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.The mother of a grown son and a daughter, she currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.
Girls who love horses will strongly identify with Polacco's (Thank You, Mr. Falker) autobiographical story of a climactic Michigan summer. Ten-year-old Pat is thrilled when her father decides she's old enough to learn to ride. Pat assumes she is getting a horse of her own, but instead her father takes her to "Dogpatch," the poor area of his town. There they find a rundown stable owned by Mrs. Mack, a Southerner in snakeskin boots who, Pat's father says, "has forgotten more about horses than most people will ever know in a lifetime." Mrs. Mack takes Pat under her wing, and through her daily visits Pat learns how to forge relationships, not only with a difficult horse, but with two tough stable hands and Hap, Mrs. Mack's aloof neighbor. Finally, Pat realizes her dream of riding Penny, the beautiful mare that later becomes her own. Pat's inviting first-person narration allows readers to come along for the ride, as she slowly conquers her fears. While the length and density of the text tends to give equal weight to the events, both large and small, Polacco's drawings convey the emotions of each scene, adding emphasis to pivotal points. A moving afterword recounts the relationship between Pat and Penny after the summer's end. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)
Gr 3-4-Another striking reminiscence from Polacco's childhood. This book relates the events of the author's 10th summer when she was taught horseback riding by the rough-and-ready Mrs. Mack. The narrative describes the bonds that formed between Patricia, a mare named Penny, and the residents of Dogpatch, a neighborhood in Lansing, MI. The realistic illustrations are in true Polacco form-pencil outlines selectively filled with watercolors. The artist has even treated her fans to two double-page spreads at critical junctures in the text. In appearance this is a picture book, but there are many full pages of text. Highest interest would lie with middle elementary horse lovers, but the format may discourage them from borrowing it. It would, however, lend itself nicely as a read-aloud for this age level. A touching story filled with loving detail.-Christy Norris Blanchette, Valley Cottage Library, NY
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
