Review:
The wish pony by Catherine Bateson
Woolshed Press, 2008 ISBN 978
74166324 2
(Ages 10-13) When the older neighbour comes in to look after Ruby when
her mother has to go to hospital, Ruby is defensive and put out. Things
have not gone well. Her best friend, Sarah, has abandoned her for the
new girl in the class, Mum is always ill with her pregnancy, Dad is
wrapped up with his wife and Ruby feels left out. Magda from across the
road smells and asks strange questions, but soon the two become firm
friends, Ruby finding in Magda the friendship which has deserted her at
school.
Magda gives Ruby her wish pony, and the little figurine takes on a life
of its own on Ruby's dressing table, where it hears Ruby crying and
hears her wishes. Gradually Ruby's life turns around, her baby brother
is born, somewhat premature, her parents begin to listen to her, she
takes on more responsibility, and she makes new friends. All simple,
but each in itself is a huge stepping stone for Ruby as she works out
what is important in her life. And as she develops, so the importance
of Magda declines.
A stunning story about loss, growing up and friendship,
The wish
pony
had me on the verge of tears, wishing along with the figurine, that
Ruby would find her feet in her muddled world. All of the children in
the story are subject to change, change in their circumstances, change
in their school friends, change in their homes, and each has to cope
with those changes, and luckily for some, Magda is there to help them
along.
Bateson's writing is always impeccable, finding the right series of
words to describe what is happening and the characters' feelings. In
this book, she gives a voice to children whose lives are not going
along smoothly, and helps them see that things will right
themselves.
Fran Knight
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