Pony in a Package

Animal Ark Holiday Special #5

by Ben M. Baglio

With sales of more than 3 million books, this newest Animal Ark title will provide cozy reading for young animal lovers.

One busy Saturday morning, the delivery man brings a big surprise to Animal the tiniest horse that Mandy has ever seen! The miniature horse was actually meant for Tania Benster, a newcomer to Welford. But Tania's parents have just divorced and she's too upset to care about her gift.

Can Mandy show Tania how much this little horse has to offer?

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Horses, Kids, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Ben M. Baglio created the brief for two series of children's books - Dolphin Diaries and Animal Ark. Dolphin Diaries features a girl and her family from Florida, who travel around the world as marine biologists and study dolphins. Animal Ark features two children who work together to help animals and solve animal-related mysteries. The books were written by commissioned writers in the UK under Baglio's instruction using the pseudonym Lucy Daniels. Each ghostwriter is named with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page.

Using his real name he also wrote the book series The Pet Finders Club, featuring a group of three children who search for peoples lost pets.

Reviews

[Lianna Kendig · Rating 2 out of 5]

(LL)
Honestly, I was so disappointed with this book. The character Imogen is such a spoiled brat about everything that it ruined the story and lesson within the book for me. There also wasn’t really any new good information about horses, since this is like the fourth book about horses, so that took away a star on its own. Imogen has been a spoiled brat in the other books, but her being part of the A plot in this story was too much.
Also, they constantly body shamed Dr. Adam Hope, Mandy’s father, in this book too much to be okay. Moreover, the drawing of Adam in the book shows no need to lose any weight, let alone all the weight he says he needs to lose. I know that’s just the sign of times, since body and fat shaming wasn’t talked about much in the late 90s/early 00s, but it still wasn’t fun to read.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a review of the American Scholastic edition, attributed to the fake author name of Ben Baglio. It was originally published in the UK by Hodder under the title Pony in the Post. The real author's name is Linda Chapman, a veteran of many books in the Animal Ark Universe, not just Animal Ark proper.

Well (huge sigh) this is a very predictable story. We've been here before, many times. We'll see nearly the exact A plot in the upcoming book Mare in the Meadow. This plot is also similar to Shetland in the Shed. A girl gets a Minature Horse named Gabriel for Christmas ... and absolutely hates him. The B plot is Mr Hope getting a spiffy new exercise machine to lose weight. And Imogen and her crappy mother put in an appearance. And Susan Collins. And snow.

Happy effing Christmas.

The little extras are interesting, though. Not many Animal Ark books have dedications, and a very few are dedicated to animals. This one is dedicated to Toyhorse Wonkytonks "The smallest horse in Britain." So, you know what this means --

I gotta find out about Toyhorse Wonkytonks, whose name is larger than he was. There was, until April, a Miniature Horse stud in Sussex called Toyhorse International. Unfortunately, the owner died from cancer in April, 2024. The website has announced that Toyhorse International is now closed to the public. They've also announced that no more horses will be sold, unless it was a private sale. Other horses from the stud were "rehomed."

Jesus.

It is assumed, but not known, if TH Wonkytonks predeceased his owner. He was featured in an online article from "The Argus" from August, 2002. He was described as Britian's smallest horse, a 7 year old chestnut stallion that stood 24.5 inches at the withers. I could not find a photo. According to the Toyhorse website, they originally bred minature Shetlands, then added "American blood."

Ann Baum does a good job with the illustrations. She's my favorite of the Animal Ark illustrators. She portrays Gabriel as a mini Appaloosa, not a pony. She does a really nice job with Blackie, James' dog, my favorite character in the series.

And -- wonder of wonders -- MANDY'S RABBITS REAPPEAR. Floppy, Mopsy and Cottontail are perfectly fine from their unexplained exile from the series. However, I think this is the last book where they appear. I could be wrong. (I haven't finished the series yet.)

[Stephanie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry in this series! Like I've mentioned every time for past reviews of this series, I LOVED these books (well, animal books in general) as a kid. As an adult, I think that the story lines and writing held up after all these years.

This particular book I think dealt well with the stresses of parental divorce and a big move on a child. It showed these in a way that I think kids could understand and appreciate.

[Caitlin Przibilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

a book I re read from my childhood. a very quick read, feel good story with simple language and writing as it's written for pre-teens/ children

[Andi Marks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this when I was little, it was REALLY easy, like, it's meant for six year olds.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pony in a package by: Ben M. Baglio.This is a great book about Mandy finding a Miniature horse in a package,because the postman had mixed up the packages.With a torn lable can they find who own this miniature horse?My favorite part is when Gabe the miniature horse whats to make friends with star the horse.I also like when Taina Benster starts to befriend Gabe.
I think that the theme of this book is to try to get to know someone even if you do not want to. I recommend this book to people who like animals it is a great book and I love it! It has lots of AMAZING parts!!

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! It had depth and humor :) The part about her Dad and the exercise machine was so funny! I want to read the other books in the series :D Also I've been bugging my parents about getting me a Miniature Horse but so far I haven't been successful haha :)

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite part was when Mandy encouraged Tania to keep Gabriel. The worst part was when Tania got so sad because she wanted her dad and mom to have never gotten divorced. My favourite character was Gabriel because he was a nice horse. There was no worst character. Auryn 11 years old, 2015

[C'est Moi ♪ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this series when I was little...

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny book.

[Shayma · Rating 5 out of 5]

this on was varey fun and cute and truley funny.and i think it was a little sad to

[Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

I own this book and I really enjoy. I think that it's the best book in the series!!!!!!!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I read this book nearing the end of my animal ark fanship days. Probably why i only thought it was okay.

[Sammy]

I was completely obsessed with this series of books when I was a child and my aim was to read every single book. They are a really good children's series.

[Gabriella 11-12 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a good book.

Very interesting.

I would recamend it.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it.

[Alexandra Lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these stories. The author really makes you feel like you are right along side of them.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girls gets a miniature pony but she's too upset about her parents divorce to care about it.

[donnette]

pony in a package bookkeeper