Winona's pony cart Book

4.5 STARS I shared this with my six-year-old after we finished the first four Betsy-Tacy books as he was eager for more about the characters but the Betsy high school years were beyond his interest level. Winona's story is wonderful, and I kind of wish I had read this before I read the BT books introducing her as I think I would have appreciated her more in the BT books had I known her first as this little "tomboy" with her kind heart and bright spirit who so desperately wanted a pony for her birthday. We had fun with the appearances by Betsy, Tacy and Tib in this book yet found Winona a winsome protagonist in her own right. I loved how the story took place within such a short time frame and with the birthday as the centerpiece. (This book would make a wonderful choice for a birthday gift!) It has the perfect amount of excitement and joy, even a little bit of the angst, that accompanies birthday anticipation for children of this age. I also really appreciate that, while perfectly suitable for children, the story does address some important themes. Winona is perhaps a bit spoiled, but she is also very kind and inclusive. She is friends with the laundry lady's children, with the Syrian children from the neighboring village... and she sees absolutely no reason why they shouldn't be invited to her birthday party simply because there aren't enough formal invitations printed up for the children her mother has chosen as party guests. I love how all that evolved and the conclusion was a delight! I appreciate that Winona doesn't just get away with everything, but also that her parents truly do try to understand her. I think children who have enjoyed books about "tomboys" from bygone eras would also really appreciate Winona. (Winona and her father brought to mind Laura Ingalls and Pa--how they understood one another and how the poor mothers were always in a dither about their "unladylike" daughters whom they nevertheless love so much.)