Maggie and her mischievous horse, Bramble, are back for another spirited romp through the ins and outs of friendship.
Maggie loves introducing her new horse, Bramble, to the neighborhood, the beach, and the backyard. Bramble has fun too, once she is cajoled into participating by a well-timed carrot or two. But when Maggie has to go to school, Bramble is bored and lonely and gets into some trouble with Mr. Dingle next door. A misbehaving hen and a midnight visitor finally help to turn Bramble into a good neighbor. This charming and funny early reader flows at just the right pace for kids who are learning that others don’t always do exactly what you want, but that friends find a way to give and take.
Haas combines realistic horse adventures and grade school pony love like no one else. Bramble is sassy but never scary; Maggie persistent and cheerful, but not all-knowing. Friend's enticing gouache illustrations appear on every page, a help to children just moving into longer books.
—Kirkus Reviews
For new readers gaining confidence, the simple sentences are peppered with more challenging vocabulary, and they build in complexity over the course of the book. The soft gouache illustrations delicately draw out and supplement the text’s humor in both spot art and full spreads.
—The Horn Book
Portraying human and animal characters empathetically, the narrative features moments of humor as well as insight. Expressive watercolor artwork will draw horse lovers to this highly satisfying book for beginning readers.
—Booklist
Haas’ short, accessible sentences ... are an inviting and achievable success for readers just moving beyond formal beginner series. Friend’s gouache illustrations combine soft, sunny realism with a touch of bulbous cartooniness in Bramble herself, whose wide-eyed expression always seems to be questioning the world. Horse lovers who’ve moved past Bang-Campell’s LITTLE RAT RIDES will enjoy Bramble and Maggie’s company.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Bramble and Maggie return in this delightful tale about a girl and her horse. ... Equine fans and those ready to progress to more substantial plots will enjoy this early reader.
—School Library Journal
