Pumpkin's Story

by Aubre Andrus

When Pumpkin the miniature horse was born, there was something wrong with her legs. It hurt the little horse to walk or even stand. She needed help--and fast.

Luckily, Pumpkin and her mom were rescued by Twist of Fate Farm and Sanctuary. The sanctuary's founder knew that Pumpkin was special. She would do whatever it took to help her.

Pumpkin got lots of love from her animal and human families--plus the support of thousands of online fans from across the globe. Together they helped Pumpkin beat the odds and learn to run!

This true story told in novel form was in partnership with the The Dodo, maker of lovable animal videos, and Scholastic. Find it at your local Scholastic Book Fair or Book Club!

Genres: Middle Grade, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2019

About the author

Aubre Andrus is the award-winning children's book author of The Look Up Series, a nonfiction biography series featuring real women in S.T.E.A.M. careers. She also has written dozens of books for National Geographic Kids, Lonely Planet Kids, American Girl, Disney, Scholastic, and young YouTube stars. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her family where she's the founder and CEO of Adjective Animal Publishing, an indie kids press. Head to www.aubreandrus.com to learn more about virtual school visits or find her on Instagram at @aubreandrus.

Reviews

[Mariangel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heartwarming story for children of how a little horse with leg problems learned to run. The descriptions of the sanctuary and medical interventions are interesting.

The writing is repetitive and the book would have benefited from some editing, streamlining the story instead of describing everyone's feelings in every chapter (the same feelings each time).

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story of Pumpkin is cute. The writing of this book is not. It is very repetitive and jumps around quite a bit. I almost stopped reading it half way through.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to my second-grade class. I'm reviewing this book from the perspective of my students and how they liked the book. This book was written for children, so if you don't want to read a book for kids, then pass this one by. Or better yet, read it to your kids at home or students at school.

I've found that children love to learn about animals. They have big hearts too. So, they instantly loved this sweet little miniature dwarf pony that was born with defects in her legs. Every day they were so excited to learn more about Pumpkin and whether or not she'd be able to run someday. They also fell in love with Ashley's son, Duncan. Ashley is the owner of Twist of Fate Farm and Sanctuary. It was so inspiring to see the love and hard work that Ashley gives to the animals that come in her care. By the end of this book, there were so many kids that wanted to know how they could help animals. This led to many wonderful discussions about animals that need our help in sanctuaries, Humane Societies, Rehabs like Idaho Black Bear Rehab that I support (https://www.facebook.com/blackbearrehab), and animals out in the wild.

Pumpkin's Story makes a great class Read-Aloud, a book for individual reading, and for parents and kids to read together. Make sure to watch the DoDo Video about Pumpkin's Story with your own kids or class. This heart-warming story is one that creates empathy and also is very inspiring.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a read aloud with my girls, 9 and 7, and we all enjoyed it. My 9 yo gives it 4 stars. My 7 yo gives it 5 stars, mainly for the cute animals and cute pictures. 🐴

[{ ° Olivia ° } · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for school. Can't say I loved it but to go through Pumpkins journey was cute seeing how excited everyone was and loved her.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read that a special girl shared with me.

[Ellie Mae (S.E Hintons version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really great inspirational book I just prefer some of the other ones in the series more than this.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing felt pretty repetitive and drawn out. But my 7yo did enjoy reading about Pumpkin and her friends.

Parents should know though that the rescue featured in this story, Twist of Fate, was shut down and the owner, Ashley, was recently convicted on animal cruelty charges. Look up news stories without your kids if you want to know more, but be warned that it was pretty horrific what she did to the animals in her care. We usually love to read the Dodo books and then look up how they are doing now, but what happened after the book ends is definitely not a happily ever after story to share with your kids. Knowing what happened afterwards and how horrible the owner truly is, I would not want to read this particular book.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter selected this book at her most recent Scholastic book fair and I'm so glad it caught her eye. We had a wonderful time reading it together!

The story centers around that cute miniature horse on the cover whose name is Pumpkin. Pumpkin is wearing leg braces because she was born with a disability. Her legs were bent and twisted making it difficult for her to walk and get around. Thankfully Ashley, the owner of Twist and Fate Farm Sanctuary, took Pumpkin and her protective mom, Thea, under her wing and got her the best care and support ever.

We enjoyed following Pumpkin's story and cheering for all of her accomplishments. The story was told from several perspectives: Pumpkin's, Ashley's, Deacon's (Ashley's animal loving toddler) and several of the other rescues at the sanctuary. It introduced readers to the importance of supporting a non profit organization and how those little donations and extra love can really make a difference and add up. As soon as we finished reading, my daughter asked to look the sanctuary up online. She was so excited to go through years of post and recognize so many of the animals that were described throughout the book. They definitely had big personalities and left an impression. I'm looking at you Cumber!!

My daughter had just finished reading Her Own Two Feet so she was able to make a connection between the challenges that Pumpkin and Rebeka shared. This book has a wonderful message about the importance of determination, bravery and positive attitude needed when facing an extra challenge. It also reinforced the idea that animals deserve a chance at a happy life regardless of their disabilities or age.

It includes several photos in the center of the book to help reinforce certain highlights from the story.

[Kristy Colpitts · Rating 3 out of 5]

So you have a bad day. So you pick up a feel good kid’s book because happy endings and smiles. So you read it in one day because you’re a grown adult and you’re invested in the story. So you google the people from the book. And then you find out that the sanctuary is not a thing anymore because she didn’t take as good of care of the animals as they made it sound in the book. Not even The Dodo could fix this day. I hope Pumpkin had a good life!

[Lauren Gulisane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good story that needed an editor in the worst way. The repetition of how everyone was feeling, how difficult the journey would be, and the fact that they're taking care of animals drew away from the main story. It was monotonous. If my daughter, who I was reading the book to, hadn't wanted to hear what happened with Pumpkin so badly, this would be in my DNF list.

[Skyla Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pumpkin's Story is such a good book I love it. Pumpkin is so brave and went through so much it is really inspirational. She was a miniature pony and it's hard enough as it is for Pumpkin, so many surgeries when she was little and she just kept on fighting. I love this book and I would definitely recommend it.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! My daughter read this first and said that I had to read it. I am so glad that I did. They story of Pumpkin and all that she had to overcome is amazing! And I really loved learning about the Twist of Fate sanctuary and all that Ashley does. I highly recommend for everyone to read this book.

[Livi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little pony has something wrong with her legs and has a hard time doing things so she has to get leg braces and they don't work but she works through it and never gives up. I give this book a thumbs up!

[Hazel (and Nutsy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing and happy story with such a happy feel. Everyone must read it! The only thing was that they wrote a book about a horse who turned out not even be as injured as some of the other mini horses they get at this rescue. I don't know why they chose pumpkin, but It was a great book.

[Lilly Pellegrino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very picky about what books I read but this is probably by far the best book I’ve ever read. I loved how it was written and that it is a true story. I do recommend this book but at your own discretion because at the end you will want a whole series of pumpkin the pony books.

[Kathi]

The owner of the sanctuary that originally "rescued" Pumpkin along with other animals abandoned all of them and was charged with 17 counts of animal cruelty. Google Twist of Fate Animal Sanctuary for additional details. Do not promote this book in any way.

[Lindsay Bullock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read to Ashley and it was a sweet story but so annoying to read (and simple enough she should have read it to herself). I read so fast trying to just get it over with because it could have been written in half as many pages. 😬

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read-aloud for my kids. They were in love with Pumpkin and cheered her on throughout. We watched the youtube videos after reading.

[Brenda]

Awesome little story, it starts off heartbreaking but by the ending you felt good inside. Take the time to watch the video on you tube.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good because it taught me a lesson and that there are fighters.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's nonfiction. Story of how a miniature horse was fitted with braces that allowed her to walk and run without pain.

[Addyson A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me so sad but it’s a quick easy read for y’all’s non- fiction section

[Colleen Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww! It was so cute! I love the pictures of the little tiny horse, it is also a very hopeful story!!

[Gabby Essex · Rating 5 out of 5]

pumpkin's story was cute and sad it was cool and nice that they made little cast for pumpkin

[Brooklyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so cute and an amazing book and makes me want to donate money to animals!!

[Littlegaby · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book talks about a horse who later died of neglect at the sanctuary where she was rescued, last year her mother was one of the survivors. She was not. Please do not read this book.

[29Nicole1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was amazing it was really sweet and heart warming

[Audrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing heart warming story in which pumpkin doesn’t give up.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

My youngest picked this up for me so I had to read it! Cute, heart warming story!!