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Pony Scouts
Pony Crazy
Meg has pony books, pony toys, and pony clothes. And on her first day at a new school, Meg meets two girls who are as pony crazy as she is! The Pony Scouts series is full of all the rich details young horse lovers devour, from pony-centric plots to a "Pony Pointers" vocabulary page at the end of each book. Go camping with the Pony Scouts! Author Catherine Hapka is a lifelong horse lover. She rides several times per week and keeps three horses on her small farm in Pennsylvania. If you're looking for horse books for girls 4-8, don't miss the Pony Scouts books. Pony Pony Crazy is a Level Two I Can Read book, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Catherine Hapka
446 books203 followersCatherine (Cathy) Hapka has written more than one hundred books for children and adults, as a ghostwriter for series as well as original titles, including the Romantic Comedies Something Borrowed, The Twelve Date of Christmas, and Love on Cue. She lives in Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 5, 2021
Very simple textually is Catherine Hapka’s Pony Crazy (and Anne Kennedy’s accompanying artwork is perhaps just a bit cartoon like for me but also colourful and supremely sweet, with her, with Kennedy’s ponies looking realistic and also in my opinion totally and utterly loveable).
But of course, since Pony Crazy is clearly meant and conceptualised for very young and recently independent readers (and in particular little girls interested in horses and ponies), a narrative, a text must quite by necessity be as uncomplicated as possible, and which Pony Crazy totally does follow and verbally demonstrate. And indeed, the short and basic sentence structure and vocabulary choices notwithstanding, my inner child is certainly feeling totally warmly delighted with and by Pony Crazy, for the three main protagonists sweetly show how their friendship is cemented by their mutual love of ponies (and yes, the simplicity of Catherine’s Hapka’s narrative certainly also does not change the wonderful fact that thematically and content wise, all the presented information about ponies are both realistic and correct and that therefore, Pony Crazy is not just a sweet equine based story of mutual friendship but also quite educational about general horsemanship and pony care, but that there is yet and happily no riding shown in Pony Crazy, which I actually think is something positive as far too often picture books and simple chapter books about equines often almost immediately move to depicting children on the back of horses as though riding is something easy and not ever requiring effort, which is simply not the case in reality).
Four stars for Pony Crazy, and a book, a narrative really and specifically made for younger readers, and as such also most definitely the type of tale that for horse crazed early childhood me would have been totally and delightfully loved loved loved. And really, the only reason why I am not considering five stars for Pony Crazy is that I do wish that the three pony obsessed main characters were not three young girls but perhaps two young girls and a little (as being interested in ponies, horses, horseback riding etc. is so very often still considered such a totally girlie hobby that it really would be appreciated if in Pony Crazy Catherine Hapka were not to adhere so strongly and overtly to the “only girls like ponies” stereotype, as ponies, as horses are for everyone, for both males and females, for both girls and boys).
But of course, since Pony Crazy is clearly meant and conceptualised for very young and recently independent readers (and in particular little girls interested in horses and ponies), a narrative, a text must quite by necessity be as uncomplicated as possible, and which Pony Crazy totally does follow and verbally demonstrate. And indeed, the short and basic sentence structure and vocabulary choices notwithstanding, my inner child is certainly feeling totally warmly delighted with and by Pony Crazy, for the three main protagonists sweetly show how their friendship is cemented by their mutual love of ponies (and yes, the simplicity of Catherine’s Hapka’s narrative certainly also does not change the wonderful fact that thematically and content wise, all the presented information about ponies are both realistic and correct and that therefore, Pony Crazy is not just a sweet equine based story of mutual friendship but also quite educational about general horsemanship and pony care, but that there is yet and happily no riding shown in Pony Crazy, which I actually think is something positive as far too often picture books and simple chapter books about equines often almost immediately move to depicting children on the back of horses as though riding is something easy and not ever requiring effort, which is simply not the case in reality).
Four stars for Pony Crazy, and a book, a narrative really and specifically made for younger readers, and as such also most definitely the type of tale that for horse crazed early childhood me would have been totally and delightfully loved loved loved. And really, the only reason why I am not considering five stars for Pony Crazy is that I do wish that the three pony obsessed main characters were not three young girls but perhaps two young girls and a little (as being interested in ponies, horses, horseback riding etc. is so very often still considered such a totally girlie hobby that it really would be appreciated if in Pony Crazy Catherine Hapka were not to adhere so strongly and overtly to the “only girls like ponies” stereotype, as ponies, as horses are for everyone, for both males and females, for both girls and boys).
April 26, 2014
My horse-crazy daughter loves this series if books. We check them out from the library over and over and over! She can't read yet, and these are rated as level 2 reading, but she loves me to read them. All of these pony scout books have 'pony pointers' at the end of the story to help with horse-related words or phrases that are used (and explained) within the stories, so it is a neat/easy/natural way to read fun horse story, feed the horse-craze in your little one (if yours is like mine), all the while creating a desire to read and learn more.
December 31, 2016
Ponies and riding are topics of definite interest to this age group, so the subject matter alone makes them a sure hit. I also really like the way vocabulary is incorporated into each story. Words that might be new or unfamiliar are defined on the last page in a short glossary. The illustrations are warm and inviting, but they also really supplement some of the new information introduced by the text. The girls are shown wearing helmets, mounting ponies, and windmilling their arms in what I assume is the correct way to do such things in real life. The books also provide lessons on friendship, perseverance, and animal care, and throws in occasional snacks and sleepovers to supplement all the pony stuff. I am not a pony person, but these books are new favorites for me.
February 24, 2011
This is a perfect story for any little girl who likes ponies. It's a step 2 reading book and it is great for beginning readers, especially if they are reading with their parent. I enjoyed this book and our girls loved it! We've borrowed this one a couple of times.
January 7, 2019
This easy reader is the beautifully illustrated story about a city girl who loves horses and moves to the country with her parents. There she gets to meet ponies.
May 25, 2017
My kids love horses and my daughter is in that learning-to-read stage, so of course when she saw a 4 book collection of these Pony Scouts, she was sold. The books actually do teach real lessons about horses in their short stories, including summaries of items used in the book at the very back. An added learning tool with a cute story included. Of course, now she wants all the books, and I find out there's actually 10 total. I think we'll be checking out the library this summer. This one appears to be the first of the series, when "pony crazy" Meg moves out to the country and meets her fellow Pony Scouts. Cute idea and definitely something my kids relate to as they love pony toys and pictures as well as actually going riding with me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
Not much going on here. First book in a series about three girls who love ponies. Gee -- what an original concept for a children's book series. This time around, the book focuses on Meg, who's dream comes true when her family moves from The Big City to The Country.
Kids -- unless you're parents are really rich, you ain't going anywhere. Get used to a lifetime of ponyless frustration, unless you get rich and manage to keep your bloodsucking relatives from getting the money that should be going to your equine.
Girls are shown riding ponies without hard hats. Not cool.
The illustrations show a dog and a cat at the pony farm trying to get the kids' attention and usually being ignored because of the ponies. Also not cool.
Kids -- unless you're parents are really rich, you ain't going anywhere. Get used to a lifetime of ponyless frustration, unless you get rich and manage to keep your bloodsucking relatives from getting the money that should be going to your equine.
Girls are shown riding ponies without hard hats. Not cool.
The illustrations show a dog and a cat at the pony farm trying to get the kids' attention and usually being ignored because of the ponies. Also not cool.
October 5, 2017
cute, I guess.
No, let's be honest, here. I woulda killed to be in an independent chapter of "pony scouts" with just my two best friends. I might still want that. The book's not great, but the idea is gold
No, let's be honest, here. I woulda killed to be in an independent chapter of "pony scouts" with just my two best friends. I might still want that. The book's not great, but the idea is gold
September 8, 2017
I like ponies. i wish i could ride one. we are going to the farm on saturday. my mom says i might get to ride one there. i hope so..
January 24, 2019
Meg, a city girl who loves horses moves with her family to the country, and meets new friends, and together they form a horse club known as the Pony Scouts.
January 9, 2020
I love ponies too! I love this book ! I love to see ponies. see ya!
April 5, 2020
Book reviews by my 4 year old
I love pony scouts, all pony scouts books, especially this one. I love all the ponies in this picture. I want to ride ponies.
I love pony scouts, all pony scouts books, especially this one. I love all the ponies in this picture. I want to ride ponies.
November 12, 2022
Almost mini paragraphs consisting of 5 sentences each page. Stories are engaging. Level 2 (I Can Read). Tidbits at end of book with vocab about ponies.
August 3, 2025
i really enjoyed it, it was cute
April 1, 2026
Great I CAN READ book on ponies for young readers, especially girls 4-7 who love ponies!
January 24, 2011
Recommended Ages: grades 1-2
"No one loves horses more than Meg. She has pony books, pony toys, and even a pony rug! But Meg lives in the big city and has never been around real ponies before. Then her family moves to the country, and on her first day of school, Meg makes a new friend--a friend who lives on a horse farm! Beginning readers will cheer as Meg meets, feeds, and grooms her very first horses. A sweet story of friendship and big ideas, this is the perfect book for horse lovers of all ages."
"No one loves horses more than Meg. She has pony books, pony toys, and even a pony rug! But Meg lives in the big city and has never been around real ponies before. Then her family moves to the country, and on her first day of school, Meg makes a new friend--a friend who lives on a horse farm! Beginning readers will cheer as Meg meets, feeds, and grooms her very first horses. A sweet story of friendship and big ideas, this is the perfect book for horse lovers of all ages."
June 2, 2011
My first grade daughter is loopy over this easy reader Pony Scouts series. This first title explains how Meg, horse-obsessed, moves from city to country and makes friends with both other girls and ponies.
February 11, 2017
a little girl dreams eat and sleeps about ponies. But she lives in the city and can't see them little long own one. But her family moves and when she goes to her new school she finds new friends that like ponies just as much as she does. And they eventually make the "Pony Scouts'
September 18, 2021
Pony Scouts, book one. Horse-obsessed Meg moves from a big city to the country and promptly makes friends with Jill, whose mom has a horse farm, this avoiding about of the usual drama associated with moving a kid away from everyone and everything she has ever known.
Read
May 15, 2009I can read step 2 book. Three best friend join together to be Pony Scouts together. They study, take care of horses and have a great time being friends. gr. K-4.
November 20, 2010
They became scouts.
May 10, 2013
The first Pony Scouts book, where the girls decide to be friends and form the Pony Scouts. Just right for my kindergartener to read by herself!
August 25, 2013
Finding a friend with a real life horse, cool mom, and a puppy? HeaaAVeennNNn.
October 19, 2013
My daughter asked me to give this book 5 stars. :)
This is an easy read for first grade students.
This is an easy read for first grade students.
May 8, 2014
My daughter loves this series.
July 9, 2014
C loves loves, loves, loves, this book!!! She is obsessed with ponies and this was just perfect for her.
June 28, 2018
7/20/16 Read with Naomi and Julia.
6/27/18 Read with Julia.
6/27/18 Read with Julia.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews