Monday, September 21, 2009

Book of the Week: Andy and Spirit Go To the Fair by Mary Jean Kelso

This is the second story in the Andy and Spirit series. Back in March I reviewed the first in the series where Andy and Spirit met. You can read it here.


In this week’s story, Andy has joined a 4-H club called the Dusty Riders. Andy and several other members of the club are competing at the State Fair for ribbons. He’s very excited about being at the fair, even though he doesn’t think he’s the best rider in the group.

When the time comes for the competition to start, Andy’s a bit nervous. He’s used to working Spirit with his friends around, but this is different. When it’s his turn, Billy, the school bully, yells out from the crowd and lets out a shrill pitched whistle. Will Spirit react and run off with Andy on her back? How does the competition end? I don’t want to spoil the story for you, so I’ll just say that Andy and Spirit prove what a great pair they are.

Mary Jean has once again done an excellent job sharing the experiences of horse and rider and the bond they form. She shows how having a handicap doesn’t have to keep you from doing the things you want to do. The illustrations by K. C. Snider let you see and experience being at the fair with Andy.

This book goes beyond reading with the added information at the end about how wild horses are managed in the U. S. and horse adoption. Mary Jean also gives you some insight to 4-H clubs which have been around for over 100 years.

Learn more about horse and burro adoption

You can also learn about volunteering with horses and burros.

If you’re interested in reading about 4-H go to their web site .

You can buy this book at:




See you back here Wednesday.


posted by Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
Check out what’s going on at the zoo!
Zooprise Party / Fiesta Zoorpresa blog

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's alway nice to see picture books dealing with horse adoption. It's a good cause.

Kudos to KC Snider for this book! I became aware of her work through Mayra Calvani (she illustrated "The Magic Violin").

Joy said...

Hi Christina. I agree, horse adoption is a good cause. KC and May Jean are a great team on the Andy and Spirit series.

Joy

Donna McDine said...

Terrific review for a heartwarming book. Well done! Best wishes for everyone's continued success.

Regards,
Donna

castelane said...

My daughter and I volunteer at a horse rescue ranch. I'm so glad that there are books out there showing how important horses are.

Joy said...

Thanks Donna. Kim, my husband and I just started volunteering at a 'horses for the handicapped' ranch. Tomorrow is our first day with riders there. I'm looking forward to the rewarding work that's done there.

Joy

Shari Lyle-Soffe said...

Joy

Wonderful review! K.C.Snider's artwork is fantastic as always. Mary Jean Kelso writes wonderful books for horse lovers and I love that the main character is handicapped and is still an achiever.

Shari Lyle-Soffe
http://sharilyle-soffe.com

Magic Carpet of 16x Books said...

I loved Mary Jean's first book in this series - horses are always popular with kids. K.C. Snider's artwork, as always, sets off this story perfectly.

Great going, ladies!!

Books for Kids
Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

Joy said...

Thanks Shari and Margot for your nice comments. I agree with you both, Mary Jean's books are great and KC's art is a perfect match.

Joy

Anonymous said...

Good job K.C. & M.J. I've written a book about a person in a wheelchair. Can't wait to see the artwork for mine. Just wrote the second book in the series. It is with my critique group.
Blessings,
J. Aday Kennedy
The Differently-Abled Children's Author
www.jadaykennedy.com
http://jadaykennedy.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/jessica_k
Coming this winter Klutzy Kantor picture book
http://klutzykantor.blogspot.com/

Cheryl said...

Great review. I'll have to check this one out.

Cheryl

http://thekidsbookconnection.wordpress.com/

Joy said...

Good luck J. Aday with your new book. Contact me if you'd like me to review it.

Cheryl, your kids will love this one.

Joy