Mandy Sue Day

by Karen Ritz (Illustrator)

This elegant prose poem, illustrated with realistic watercolor paintings, tells how a blind girl, using her senses of taste, hearing, touch, and smell, enjoys a special day with her horse, Ben.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Poetry

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 1994

Reviews

[Terri Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of family and values and how one little girl copes with her inability to see. Wholesome goodness that all kids would be lucky to relate to in their own lives.

[Jenna Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy Sue Day is a cute children’s picture book that is written in the form of poetry. Although it’s written in poetry, many children would comprehend what is written in the plot of the story (How a young girl spends time with her horse on her day off). The young girl and her family are realistic in the way of how they are a working class family. The young girl adores her horse, Ben and loves to take care of him. Many children would be able to relate to Mandy, especially if they love animals such as horses. The illustrations are so vivid and detailed to portray the setting and the characters to enhance and coincide with the story. This book shows the lifestyle of a young girl who adores her best friend and horse and how she can spend the day listening, feeling, smelling and spending the day with her horse rather than just ‘seeing’ her horse. At the end of the story, after having a dialogue with her brother, the author reveals that Mandy Sue is blind. This is a great book that represents that the lifestyle of being blind is not all that complicated and they enjoy everything that ‘sighted’ people enjoy and much move. This book is highly recommended to anyone who loves poetry and horses.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, evocative lines bring to life the sounds, smells and feelings of Mandy Sue's day spent with her beloved horse, Ben.
Kids will connect with Mandy Sue's excitement for a day off from farm chores and her closeness to Ben are relatable for all kids. Hints are given, but readers don't definitively learn till near the end that Mandy Sue is blind.
This simple and sweet day-in-the-life story has held up well two decades after first publication.

[Kandice Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy Sue is a blind girl who loves to spend time with her gorse named Ben. This book is about Mandy and her adventures that occur throughout the day. The illustrations in the book are wonderful and colorful. This is a great book to read to students when teaching poetry. It is entertaining and will teach the students at the same time.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice use of senses to describe, but a romanticized view of blindness. Shows the girl to be capable, but doesn't much of the hardships this handicap would create for her other than counting steps to the barn.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy Sue Day was a pleasant read. The story made me think about how I feel when I get to spend a relaxing afternoon with my dog. The illustrations are beautiful and warm. The author easily described how Mandy Sue saw the world through her sense of hearing, taste, touch and smell.

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written by an Ohio Wesleyan alumni! Cool because you don't know that the main character is blind until about 2/3 through the story. Says the author lives in Bay Village, Ohio.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars)

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Childrensbook #horse #summer. When Mandy sue has an entire day for herself, she spends it with her #bestfriend #horse #Ben

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story, but doesn't say she is blind at the start. Strange.