All That Glitters

Gr 1–3—This first installment in a new series introduces Daisy, a glitter pony who is unsure of her magical abilities. Daisy's hooves are sparkly, but they don't produce glitter when she walks, like those of the other magical ponies, so she worries she won't get into the Enchanted Pony Academy. Even after she has been accepted into the academy, she doubts that she is magical enough to be successful—the other ponies have amazing talents: glow-in-the-dark horns, the power to crush rocks with one hoof, and the ability to copy any sound. Daisy shows a lot of character; at one point, the other ponies want to leave the school grounds to see the sea ponies, but Daisy finds a way to see them without breaking the rules. This title will spark discussion about character building; adherence to the rules, persistence, and self-confidence are big themes. It has some black-and-white pictures, and the text is loosely spaced; this is a good confidence booster for readers making their first forays into chapter books.