Noni the Pony

PreS-K–Rhyming books that are well done are music to the ear, and this one is just that. Noni is a carefree pony who spends her days on the farm cantering and galloping, to the delight of the other farm animals. Her best friends, Dave Dog and Coco the Cat, share in her play and take care of one another when care is needed. When Dave Dog inadvertently falls behind the others, Noni “never lets anyone get left behind.” The illustration extends the text with Coco the Cat atop Noni’s back looking alarmed as they wait for Dave Dog to catch up. That kind of detail in the illustrations is perfect for this age group, which relies on the pictures to help them decode the words. Later, a spread shows Noni being a little frightened of the woods as night falls and she imagines monsters rustling the leaves. Sharp-eyed children who look at the illustration carefully will see some hidden monsters, but they are not front and center and the smiles on their faces suggest that they are of the kindhearted variety. When Noni is frightened, it is Dave and Coco who snuggle with her until they all fall asleep. Lester’s illustrations are charmingly done in black outline with pencil, watercolor, and collage interiors. Simple and bold, with uncluttered backgrounds, they will attract the youngest readers, and the soothing ending will satisfy them.–Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA