The Pony Picnic

Sophy is really excited about the pony picnic. Before the trip she prepares by putting lots of useful things in her rucksack. She hopes to ride her favourite pony, Mousie, but when she arrives at the stables, Mousie is not there. However, on the trip, Sophy's rucksack comes in very handy - she has a carrot to catch Clarie's horse, Honey Bee, some antiseptic to put on Sam's arms when she is stung and a map to help find the way home when they get lost. This rather stilted but agreeable story is full of detail about what goes on at a riding stable and it will certainly appeal to young horse lovers. Through the rivalry between Sophy and Claire, it also looks at friendships. The pencil and full colour illustrations are of varying quality.