Noni the Pony Rescues a Joey

Noni the Pony #3

by Alison Lester

Noni the Pony and her friends help a lost wallaby joey find his family in this jaunty follow-up to Noni the Pony and Noni the Pony Goes to the Beach .

Noni the Pony and her friends Dave Dog and Coco the Cat are headed out to spend the day roaming the hills near Waratah Bay. But then they meet a lost wallaby joey who needs help finding his family. So Noni, Dave, and Coco ask all of their animal friends, from koala to wombat to possum, if anyone has seen the wallaby family. Will they be able to help their new friend find his way home?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Australia, Storytime, Horses

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 11, 2019

About the author

Has a son Lachie Hume, who is also a published children's book author.

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best selling Australian author and illustrator Alison Lester is back, with her third book in the Noni the Pony series, Noni the Pony Rescues a Joey.

Noni the Pony Rescues a Joey is a sweet and simple tale about a lost joey looking his family, and the various Australian animals Noni the pony, Dave the Dog and Coco the Cat find along the way while looking for Joe the Joeys' family.

I'm ashamed to admit here, that I've never read Noni the Pony or Noni the Pony Goes to the Beach before, but after devouring the new Noni the Pony Rescues A Joey, I will be rectifying that quick smart.

Allison Lester's narrative is simple, sweet and to the point. As our gang of animals undertake their adventure, we are introduced to a variety of Australian animals in their natural habitat. Each animal is introduced with an accompanying piece of information about their personalities (shy platypus etc) or their chosen habitat (sleeping koala high in the trees).  The text is presented in rhyme with no more than two sentences on each page. The font size is large and the language simple, making it perfect for children learning to read to recognise letters and words, and hopefully read along with their parent.

Lester's illustrations are iconic. Featuring thick bold outlines, her realistic cartoon style shapes the character of the book. Switching between full-colour pages and the occasional white background, Lester makes sure her words and intent are not only clear and concise but working in perfect harmony with the illustrations and overall presentation of the narrative.

Noni the Pony Rescues A Joey is a brilliant early childhood picture book, ideals for children aged one to four years old. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to add to their child's book collection or as a baby shower/first birthday present. It would also make an ideal gift for readers from overseas thanks to the simple introductions to our Australian fauna and flora.

Note: Noni the Pony Rescues A Joey has been nominated for the 2019 CBCA Book of the year: Early Childhood award.

This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf on Tuesday 13th August and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-1Ly

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another enjoyable children’s book by Australian author Alison Lester.

‘Noni the Pony rescues a joey’ follows Noni and her friends in reuniting a lost joey with its family. This is the third adventure we go on with Noni after Noni the Pony and Noni the Pony goes to the seaside, so many old characters reappear like Coco the Cat, Dave the Dog and the Ladies next door.

Noni’s journey to reunite the lost joey with its family takes our characters through the Australian landscape and interacting with a variety of the native wildlife.

This is such a lovely story that children and adults alike will both love. The illustrations are catchy and the story is whimsical and sweet that gives a great representation of native Australian animals.

Working in a public library and frequently conducting Storytime sessions, I have read this story several times to groups and it has always been well received and is such an easy and at times a rhythmic read.

Alison Lester is a master at children’s storytelling and Noni the Pony rescues a joey is a fine example of this. This book has also been recognised by The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and has been shortlisted for the 2019 book of the year in the early childhood category.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple tale of Noni the Pony and friends as they try to find the kangaroo mob of Joe, a lost baby joey. Told in rhyme, the story is quite straightforward though the double page spread for the endings seems a little incongruous. The subtext of the illustrations is the strength of this book as it accurately portrays the habitats of several Australian animals, some with their young.
Shortlisted 2019 Book of the Year: Early Childhood

[Sean Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a CBCA book that isn't DEPRESSING.

A very iconically Australian book that shows many different types of Australian wildlife in the search for a wallaby joey's family.

Rhyming and using iconic Australian language, such as "mob" for family, this was a really heartwarming book. And the illustrations made me smile and laugh.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A standard "scared baby animal finds his way home with the help of other kinds of animals," but with a nice Australian twist. I do an "Australia Day" theme every few years, and I could see using this as part of that program. Cute in a good sense, with rhymes that flow smoothly, the Noni series is another feather in the cap of an accomplished picture book writer/artist.

[AD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another classic by Alison Lester. This time Noni and her friends Coco and Dave come across a lost little wallaby. As they travel around searching for his family, the friends encounter many more Australian animals. A great story for early childhood - especially those little ones that love animals!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are sweet in this third installment of a series. The premise of taking a lost joey through the countryside to find his folks helps kids learn about the animals of Australia. I'm afraid the rhymed text, while fun, is a little clunky in places. for ages 2 - 6.

[Fatima Seraj Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was today years old when I came to know that wallabies have joeys too like kangaroos. A wallaby joey gets lost in this book and Noni and his friends decide to help reunite him to his parents in this fun rhymy book.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, whimsical, clever. Lester writes with jolly cheer and satisfying purpose all easily arranged in flowing rhyme and gorgeous illustration. An entertaining addition to the Noni Pony series.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant, gentle story that sees Noni helping out a lost wallaby joey and introducing the reader to a cast of Australian bush characters.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noni and her friends help a lost wallaby joey find his way home.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for this Australia tale

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable and simple book about friends helping another friend.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like the australian wildlife but otherwise nothing amazing

[Megan Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute rhyming book that features Australian animals.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A horse helps another animals try to find his way home in this picture book with an Australian feel. Preschool and up

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noni the Pony steps-up in this new adventure. Noni and friends find a frightened and alone joey on the side of the road and help them find a way home.

[Yvette Mendez]

Noni the pony helps a young wallaby find his family. Through their journey they encounter different Australian animals.

[Shallowreader VaVeros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo cute!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, rhyming text with lovely pictures and references to lots of animals you would find in Australia! Perfect for an animal-themed storytime!!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noni the pony helps a joey find his family.