The Surprise Puppy and the Connemara Pony
#3 of 6 in Coral Cove Horse Adventures for Girls and Boys Series
What’s inside...
12 year old Ciara and her friend Molly are preparing their ponies, Misty and Ranger, for a local horse show. However, their plans take a turn when Ciara's sister Maddy finds an abandoned puppy and brings it home, leading to a series of events that ends with Maddy having to put the puppy up for adoption. Meanwhile, Ciara and Molly face the challenge of helping Grandad with his horses at the show. This third book in the Coral Cove Horses series is a heartwarming adventure about kindness, resilience, and the bond between a girl and her horse, perfect for horse-loving kids age 8+ and young adult fiction fans.
Discussion points
What do you think the puppy and the pony might have felt when they first met each other?
How do you think the puppy helped the pony and vice versa?
What did you learn about friendship from the story of the puppy and the pony?
Can you think of a time when you made an unexpected friend like the puppy did?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the puppy or the pony?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by reading the book together, pausing at key points to ask your child their thoughts about the characters' decisions and feelings.
Encourage your child to reflect on their own experiences with friends or pets and relate them to the story.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene from the book, and discuss what they liked about it.
Create a comfortable reading environment where your child feels free to express their thoughts and opinions about the story.
Praise your child for their insights and encourage them to think deeper by asking follow-up questions based on their responses.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story demonstrates responsibility through the characters' care for the puppy and pony, showing how they must feed, clean, and look after the animals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on small duties at home, such as caring for a pet or helping with chores, learning the importance of fulfilling commitments.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As the characters interact with the animals, they learn to understand and share the feelings of the puppy and pony, which fosters a deep sense of empathy.
Real-World Application: This can help children in being more considerate and understanding towards their friends and family members' feelings and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story showcases how the characters work together to ensure the well-being of the animals, highlighting the value of cooperation and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with others, whether it's on school projects or during play, enhancing their ability to work effectively in a group.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters encounter challenges that require them to think critically and creatively to resolve issues related to the care of the animals.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach obstacles in their lives with a solution-oriented mindset, fostering resilience and innovation.
Example Lesson: Joy of Discovery
Explanation: The excitement of discovering and learning about the new animals encapsulates the joy of learning new things.
Real-World Application: This lesson can instill a lifelong love of learning in children, encouraging them to explore new interests and subjects enthusiastically.