Winona's Pony Cart

Deep Valley #3

by Maud Hart Lovelace, Vera Neville (Illustrator)

Welcome back to Deep Valley!Winona Root is almost eight years old. More than anything in the world, she wants a pony for her birthday. She wishes so hard for a pony that she's sure to get one--at least, that's what she tells her friends Betsy, Tacy, and Tib. It's only when the exciting day grows near that Winona begins to wonder: What if her father meant it when he said she couldn't have a pony?

 

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Classics, Middle Grade, Historical, Childrens Classics

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Maud Hart Lovelace was an American writer best known for the beloved Betsy-Tacy series, which has remained a cornerstone of American children’s literature for generations. Born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota, she began writing at an early age and showed literary promise while still in high school. She attended the University of Minnesota, where she worked for the Minnesota Daily, and sold her first short story while recuperating in California, marking the start of her professional career. Lovelace initially wrote historical novels for adults, including The Black Angels and the successful Early Candlelight, before turning to children’s fiction inspired by stories she told her daughter. Beginning in the late 1930s, she created the Betsy-Tacy books, drawing heavily on her own childhood and friendships. Set largely in the fictional town of Deep Valley, the series follows its heroine from early childhood into adulthood, with the books gradually increasing in complexity alongside their readers. Lovelace also wrote several related Deep Valley novels featuring the same community. Her work was praised for its warmth, authenticity, and vivid sense of place, securing her lasting influence in American literary culture.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read all but the last two Betsy-Tacy books but this was the first Deep Valley book I’ve read. I hadn’t felt that interested in reading the rest of these books and was not expecting to love this. I did really like it and I do plan to eventually read the last two Betsy-Tacy books and the other two Deep Valley books.

This story was a hoot. It was a blast seeing the lead up to the birthday party and wondering how it would all turn out. I love Winona’s dog. What a great dog. I liked Winona better than I thought I would. She makes for a great friend and to all sorts of people and I loved that. Her family was interesting too. I enjoyed seeing Bety, Tacy, and Tib even though they have minor roles. I do think this book is one I’d have enjoyed much more as a child than I did reading it as I did well into adulthood, but I’m still glad that I got to it. Incredibly quick read for this short children’s novel.

Lovely illustrations too.

3-1/2 stars

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.)

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winona Root longs for a pony in this charming children's novel, first printed in 1953, but set in the early years of the twentieth century. Her mother, who already worries that she is too tomboyish, doesn't approve of the idea, but Winona still dreams of being given an equine companion of her own, especially as her eighth birthday approaches. A friendly extrovert, Winona ends up inviting far more children to her party than her mother, who had carefully planned a fifteen-child celebration, is aware of. Fortunately all turns out well, with the help of some baklava contributed by the little Syrian children from over the hill. Then, when Jingles the pony arrives, complete with his own little cart, Winona imagines that her fondest wish has been granted. But has it...?

One of three Deep Valley books associated with Maud Hart Lovelace's classic ten-book Betsy-Tacy series - the other two being Emily of Deep Valley and Carney's House Party - Winona's Pony Cart is the last of the thirteen books set in this fictional version of Mankato, Minnesota that I have read. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get to it - I read the other books some years ago - but I am glad that I finally did. Unlike the other two Deep Valley titles, which seem more teen oriented, this one is aimed at younger children, and is suitable for the same age as the first four Betsy-Tacy books. Winona is a willful but winsome heroine, clearly a little spoiled, but also generous and quite democratic. I really appreciated that she invited Scundar, Marium and Faddoul - the little Syrian immigrant children who lived in the "Little Syria" settlement near Deep Valley, and who first appeared in Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill - and that she thereby demonstrated to her mother (and to the reader of the 1950s) that they should be welcomed into the wider society. Just one of many very nice touches to this vintage, but somehow also contemporary-feeling tale. Recommended to all fans of Maud Hart Lovelace's Deep Valley, and to young children who dream of having a pony of their own...

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winona is an outgoing girl with many enthusiasms who has been encouraged by her father and sisters to be a tomboy although this conflicts with her mother's ideas of what is suitable for a young girl in turn of the (20th) century Minnesota. The most appealing thing about Winona is her ability to make friends with everyone she meets, regardless of background or age. Her exuberance and perhaps thoughtlessness cause her to invite everyone she meets to her birthday party, upsetting her mother's carefully made plans but the end result is a good time for all.

I think that this is one of those books best appreciated by a child. To an adult, Winona may seem self centered and spoilt, and to some extent she is, but child readers recognize their own obsessions with birthdays and longed-for gifts and identify with Winona's yearning for a pony and understand her spontaneous party invitations to acquaintances - particularly when it is Betsy, Tacy and Tib who are the late additions to the festivities!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute installment in the Betsy-Tacy series, focusing on the girls' friend Winona Root as she gets ready for her 8th birthday party and wishes desperately to get a pony for the occasion. A shorter, slighter tale than the other books, even the other childhood novels in the series, but still full of fun, humor, and Maud Hart Lovelace's warm and cozy writing style. I enjoyed this a lot.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

2026 Side Quest of my 60 books in celebration of my 60th birthday. Teenage/Young Adult Betsy books are my favorite because they were my first reads. Doing a quick reread through children's books before I start High School books. As for my question from 2022 read,* the only info I found was a Blog Post from someone who guessed that perhaps MLH had received reader requests asking for more Winona stories???

2022 Winona's Pony Cart was originally published in 1953. Book 3 of what are now known as Deep Valley Series. Maud Hart Lovelace wrote them after she had published most of her Betsy-Tacy books. Book 1 - Carney's House Party and Book 2 - Emily of Deep Valley fit in Chronological and were Published after Betsy and Joe but before Betsy and the Great World.

Winona's Pony Cart goes back in time. When she, Betsy, Tacy, and Tib are 8 years old. Since I'm rereading Chronologically I should have read it between Betsy-Tacy and Tib and Betsy-Tacy go over the Big Hill.

*I wonder why MHL decided to go back and write another of the little girl books so much later? Will pop over to Betsy-Tacy Society website and see if there is any information.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the third time I’ve read WPC. The first time was in the late 1990s and the second was probably about 5 years ago. I find her less annoying each time. The humor of MHL really struck me this time - there are so many funny lines in this book. I usually give BTGD as a gift for young readers but my great niece will be 9 next week and it occurred to me to give her WPC as her first BT because she loves horses and animals.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A companion novel to the Betsy-Tacy stories. After reading the first 4 books in the Betsy-Tacy series as a kid, I found this one at the public library. I couldn't resist that cover and how can you not love a story in which a girl wishes for a pony for her birthday! Could her wish come true? Winona's Dad is the editor of the local newspaper in an early 1900s Minnesota town. Anything is possible.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story. Set around Winona's eighth birthday party. Besty, Tacy, and Tib are in the story, but not the major characters. It's a short book, perfect for a seven or eight year old to read.

[Avonlea Gal · Rating 4 out of 5]

she’s LOWKEY a brat but we love that for her
also seeing pictures of the characters they were based off of is so cool!

[Katie B-K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a HOOT. I never read any of the other Deep Valley books as a kid, but I figured that if Kiernan and I were going to read them all, we should read these as well, and my only regret is that we didn't read it earlier. Toodles the Pug should be in all books.

A note if you want to read these with your kids: there is a VERY clear demarcation between the "little kid" Betsy-Tacy/Deep Valley books and the "big kid" ones. It cuts off at Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown - all the books up until that one are for kids under 10. And I would put Winona's Pony Cart there too. Then the others are really for older kids - tweens and teenagers - and so far, 12 has been a good age for both reading them and explaining all the stuff that's culturally different/inappropriate 100 years later.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely children's book!! The Betsy-Tacy/Deep Valley books never fail to delight me.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books and characters and wish they were read by more current readers.

[Paige]

I don't know what to recommend as far as proper reading order for this one, because it was written between the last two Betsy-Tacy books (#9-10), yet set back between the first two as a little bit of a retcon.

[Alana/MiaTheReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect, just as all the Betsy Tacy books are, but even more fun to get to know Winona better!

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our VSC enjoyed discussing this along with Betsy-Tacy and Tib, particularly because all of Winona's Pony Cart takes place between chapters 5 and 6 of BTT.

We had an interesting range of opinions, although I think we all agreed that this is the slightest of the series. Winona is spoiled, but she's also good-hearted and it must be hard to have a mother who is continually disappointed in your behavior. (Then again, I think Winona's mom is genuinely confused about how to handle her tomboy daughter, especially after raising two extra-girly ones.)

No doubt, MHL had fun with the already-known characters. Dennie is an imp; Betsy pretends that she isn't terrified of the pony; Tacy "assured [Winona] kindly" that it was okay to have no printed invitations; and Tib gets her most Tib-like line:
"My father can eat spoiled catsup....He did it once and it didn't make him sick."

Last read: 7-3-06
1-23-04
sometime in 2000

[Ginny Messina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m ashamed to say—-as a card-carrying member of the BTS—-that I had never read this book before. And I had fairly low expectations for it, picking it up only for the Maud-L group read. But wow—-I absolutely loved it! I liked Winona and couldn’t wait to find out what happened at her birthday party. It was fun to see BT&T as minor characters. Toodles the dog is a hoot, and I enjoyed the characterizations of Winona’s parents. What an unexpected treat!

[SJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Winona. I thought she was very spoiled, but she seemed to have a lot of friends. 32 people at an 8 year old's party sounds like a handful!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This companion novel to the Betsy-Tacy series first came out in the 1950s, and it is not as well-known as the other books. I never read it as a child, but I enjoyed reading it as an adult, and the story will particularly appeal to tomboyish girls and those who love horses. It's a cute, short chapter book with lots of great dialogue and real life humor, and even though the ending seems like wish fulfillment, I enjoyed the book overall.

Winona first appeared in the fourth book, and is a school friend of Betsy, Tacy, and Tib. In this story, she is preparing for her birthday party, and even though her mother has invited a set group of children, she extends invitations to lots of friends in town. When I was a child, the vicarious embarrassment of this situation would have overwhelmed me, but I found it cute and amusing as an adult, especially considering the realistic contrast between Winona's free and easy friendship and her mother's selection of Suitable Children based on race, class, and whose mothers she was friends with.

Winona and her mother both learn from the experience, and I appreciated the subplot related to the Syrian immigrant children Winona invited. Maud Hart Lovelace was ahead of her time regarding the local Syrian population, and in this companion novel, she picks up this aspect of her characters' world again from past books. Winona invites to her party some Syrian children she is friends with, and they are portrayed in a positive light, helping the mother get past her own paradigm about who her daughter should associate with.

This is a short, simple story, and it conveys realistic family and community dynamics in a way that can appeal to both children and adults. As a kid, I would have been most invested in the pony storyline, but there is far more thematic depth here than seemed apparent based on the premise, and I found it very interesting. I'm glad I had the chance to read it.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The leaves were turning red and yellow and orange and brown and pink. ‘Getting ready for your birthday.’” I could relate. The trees were always brightly colored for my birthday because it came in November. Betsy, Tacy, and Tib stop by to “rake them into a house…parlor and dining room and kitchen and bedrooms with piles of leaves for walls.”

As Winona’s eighth birthday approaches, she decides she has only one wish: “I could act very dignified in a little pony cart…With a pony cart you could take more people riding…It seemed as though, if she told enough people, she would make it come true.”

Winona knows that as much as “I want to, but that doesn’t mean I can.” She is perseverant–and in my opinion, petulant. She flouts her mother’s rule that she may invite 15 children to her celebration and invites all the children she wishes–disregarding the handmade place settings her sister made, the party favors her mother purchased, and the sufficiency of food to serve her guests.

“Sometimes when Winona wanted something she cried in order to get it.” And upon discovering that her parents had merely rented the pony for her party rather than purchasing it for her present, she reduces the whole household to tears.

“It was all my stupid fault!” Winona’s father rues. “I should have told her the pony was just rented for the afternoon! I should have known what she’d think…after she’d asked me for a pony.” “So should I,” Winona’s mother agrees. “She asked me, too. It was my fault, too…Let her have the pony!”

The moral of the story: parents are stupid and easily manipulated. Make your own rules and cry until you get what you want. From her debut in the Betsy-Tacy series, I have maintained a love-hate relationship with Winona; however, Maud Hart Lovelace’s charming prose accompanied by Vera Neville’s enchanting illustrations make Winona’s Pony Cart a must read!

[Gina House · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Winona's Pony Cart, but I didn't love it. I wanted to love it like I love the (early) Betsy-Tacy series. But, I was on the fence for most of the book.

I was torn between feeling frustration over the views and attitude of Winona's mother and also the way that Winona was very privileged and always got what she wanted. Not all families are wealthy and able to give their daughters beautiful dolls, a printing press, or a pony for a gift. Some parents aren't able to afford fancy invitations, party dresses, extra food or favors.

But, I felt really bad for Winona when her mother wouldn't let her choose the friends she wanted at her birthday party. But then, later on, Winona's mother gets angry at her for inviting the friends she really cared about. It's little injustices like that during childhood that bother me so much. Winona's mother was being selfish and controlling and Winona should not have had to apologize for wanting her close friends (not friends of her mother's) at her birthday celebration.

Aside from this issue, the story was interesting and I love reading Betsy, Tacy, and Tibb's cameos in this book. I only have one more book to read in this series and I hope I'll enjoy it more.

[Shoshanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winona’s Pony Cart by Maude Hart Lovelace isn’t a true Betsy-Tacy book. Winona isn’t introduced in the main series until Betsy-Tacy Go Downtown when the girls are 12. But in Winona’s Pony Cart, Winona turns 8. While not a perfect fit, we decided to read it after Betsy-Tacy and Tib. (This is why it’s often marketed as a Deep Valley book instead of a Betsy-Tacy book.)

Reading this as a parent felt a little different than reading this while younger. I couldn’t help but feel for Mrs. Root, how she wants to raise Winona to be a lady but also wants to make her happy. Also I started to feel anxious myself as Winona started inviting her friends to her party even knowing how it would end up.

My daughter on the other hand really enjoyed it and of course asked for a pony of her own when we finished. As soon as we finished she wanted to read the next in the series, Betsy-Tacy Go Over Big Hill. But I do want to slow down a little because I think reading the ones after that would be better in a couple of years. But we’ll see how long we can hold out.

5/5

[Tracey]

I am a little embarrassed to be adding this one to my read list since it is grade school book. I was not intending to read this one but it was reissued as two books in one with another Maud Hart Lovelace novel, so I ended up reading it any way as part of my "read the rest of the Deep Valley books by Lovelace binge". I will say that this little chapter book captures perfectly what is is like to be turning 8 - old enough to really anticipate your upcoming birthday, to go mad with excitement about it, and to build it up so high in your head that it is inevitable that you will crash with disappointment and tears at some point in the process. That roller coaster of feelings that comes with being a kid. Just perfect.

If I had elementary aged kids in my life right now, I would push this and the first four Betsy-Tacy books on them. They are so much better and less sanctimonious than the Little House books and much more relatable. (Yeah, I loved the Little House books too but as an adult I can't un-know the crazy politics that Laura's daughter embedded into them).

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winona's Pony Cart is one of the three companion Deep Valley books that accompany the Betsy-Tacy series. This book is about Winona Root, a classmate of Betsy Ray's.

Excited about her upcoming birthday party, Winona is wishing for a pony of her own. She drops several hints to her parents but they make no promises of a pony. As the the day of the party approaches, Winona's mother sends out invitations to several children in town. Winona wants to invite more of her friends, so she invites other children who did not receive an invitation by word-of-mouth, much to the surprise of her mother on the day of the party. During the party, Winona's father does surprise her with a pony, but is the pony there to stay?

This companion is a simple and fun read that younger readers can enjoy, much like the early years of the Betsy-Tacy series. For those familiar with the series, this book can be enjoyed if you are interested in another family of Deep Valley.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first Lovelace outside the Betsy-Tacy series. I didn't enjoy it too much--it seemed like wish fulfillment, because Winona gets everything she wants, no matter what. Her parents bend over backwards to get her everything she wants! Winona shows a little bit of empathic growth (unfortunately, her mother doesn't). Lovelace handled the Syrian population extremely well for the period. I think this story would make sense to someone with a mom who decides who your friends are--it seems like Winona's mother doesn't actually know her daughter very well, and picks the birthday party guests based on social status and parental connection alone.

The historical notes in the back of my copy were helpful--the woman Winona was based on actually had a pony and cart.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winona’s Pony Cart surprised me. What I enjoy about Lovelace’s characters is that they’re allowed to be flawed and still have good things in life. In many other girls’ books, Winona would have to learn a lesson, to be tamed into dignity like her mother wishes. But we learn Winona is already good in her own way - she’s generous - and readers of other Deep Valley books learn that she never fully loses her spirited ways (though perhaps she learns to conceal them when she teaches- I’m thinking of a line in Carney’s House Party). Her kindhearted invitation to the various Deep Valley children warmed my heart.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winona’s never been one of my favorite characters in the Betsy-Tacy series, and Winona’s Pony Cart didn’t do much as far as endearing her to me. For Winona’s upcoming eighth birthday, she wants a pony, and for all I shared a similar desire at that age, Winona comes across as insanely spoiled.

That said, how wonderful to return to Deep Valley when Betsy and Co. were children. If I had known about the Betsy-Tacy series when I was a child, I would have loved reading this book on the eve of my eighth birthday. Recommended for fans of the series.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade: B | 3.5 stars

I was wary of reading this one because I’m not overly fond of Winona. But it wound up being really charming! Winona was more likable than I thought she would be. I found her conflict with her mother to be compelling. As usual Deep Valley is a lovely setting, and it was nice to see Betsy, Tacy, and Tib. I might have given this book four stars but Winona is just so spoiled! I wish that had been undercut in some way. Still a cute book though, and one I can easily recommend to fans of the Betsy-Tacy series.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun little book from the Betsy/Tacy anthology. This one is just a short book about Winona Root's 8th birthday party. The kids enjoyed it enough to beg for extra reading time, even Z who didn't want to read it at first.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this was a very cute story. This would really be perfect for a girl about their age! Just as much charm as the Betsy Tacy books! Glad I finally got to read it!