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Literary Friday: The Christmas Pony

Friday, December 20, 2013



This week I read The Christmas Pony by Melody Carson.  I saw several of her books on the holiday shelf at the library, and I thought I'd read a couple during the Christmas holidays.  I sort of set a mini goal for myself to read a few Christmas books this season and blog about a few of them.  This one is my favorite of Carlson's so far.

Eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull knew better than to wish for a pony that Christmas in 1937. Her mother had assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony was the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they needed at their boarding house were the paying kind. But when an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, Lucy starts to believe her Christmas wishes might just come true after all.

I loved the setting for this novella.  Carlson does a remarkable job of bringing the depression era alive in subtle little details, especially the description of the Turnbulls' farmhouse.  Lucy is such an endearing character, and her excitement and anticipation for Christmas is contagious.  Her prayers to God for her needs and wants are so, so sweet, and she wants a pony more than anything else in the world….and not just any pony:  She wants a gray pony named Smokey.  Little girls always go through a pony phase when they want a pony more than anything in the world (I know two little girls very well who never outgrew it).  That's another thing I love about this book: Lucy's love for Smokey reminds me so much of my girls and their love for their horses.

I enjoyed this book so much, I'm ordering a copy for my Christmas keeper shelf.  I want my girls to read it soon, too.


"Lucy was pleased to wake up to a white, wintry world on Monday morning.  It was only a few inches so far, but it was beautiful.  Like a giant frosted cake."

from The Christmas Pony, pg. 56

Do you like to read holiday-themed books during Christmas?

Until next time…

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

13 comments

  1. A yummy description though you cannot eat it.

    My post

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  2. As soon as I saw the cover and prior to reading your post, I thought of your girls. I thought, "This is so them." :) I have never read Christmas books other than children Christmas books as a child and to a child. I think next year, this will become a tradition for me.

    Your books sounds sweet. I will definitely have to put it on my list for my first year.

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  3. I bet I can relate to this story. My parents said I could only have a St Bernard if someone gifted it to me. It took a few years but once a child sets her mind...
    I have heard of this book and now will seek out a copy.

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  4. Oh this sounds delightful.....

    I'm knee-deep in Christmas Time "Cozies" right now. So yes, I do enjoy holiday themed reading. :-)

    Happy Christmas,
    Tessa~
    'Here there be musing' blog

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  5. Oh what a fun Christmas read. I just love the excitement expressed by many characters towards Christmas, it reminds me of what this time of year is supposed to be about. Great review and one I will have to add to my wish list.
    Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  6. Great cover and excerpt...this one sounds like a feel-good book! Here's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST

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  7. Yeah, I wished for a pony for Christmas for about 10 years. And then I volunteered with a stunt group at renaissance faires and had most of my toes broken by horses, had a horse undress me, and was almost run down by a panicking horse....and decided maybe I'm not a horse person. ;)
    My mom had a grey horse named Smokey, when she was a kid! That gave me a chuckle...I'll have to mention the book to her. And how sweet you're reading Christmas books this time of year!

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  8. I love her books, especially the Christmas ones! I received one today for review by her, Once Upon A Winter Heart! :-)

    Happy weekend and happy holidays!

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  9. RJ,
    I might have to get this one...I grew up as an only child and was probably over-indulged where gifts were concerned, but I never got a horse, the one wish that never came true!
    Enjoy your week and thank you for the sweet note.
    xo,
    Karen

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  10. I woke up to our first winter snowfall this morning! So your post definitely appealed to me. This sounds like a lovely story. I like to read Christmas books too and featured one on my blog earlier this week. If you like sweet romances, you'll enjoy CHRISTMAS CALLING, a two-novella book by Colleen L. Reece and Birdie Etchison.
    My Book Beginnings/Friday 56 post features MAGGIE'S TURN.

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  11. Oh I did want a pony too, so I can relate to this story. I imagined a brown pony with flaxen mane and tail. Thanks for sharing this review.

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  12. Hi Ricki! I'm catching up with your posts. I've been a bad blogger lately. :( I miss writing literary friday posts too. I have my own pile of reads. Hopefully during the holiday break, I will be able to share something.

    Wishing you a great week and a blessed Xmas!

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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