"...A delightful book about kindness, family, Christmas miracles--and ponies." - Kirkus Reviews
Winner, LYRA Award, Best Novella, Bookstores Without Borders
Winner, Reader Views Award
Winner, Best Novella, Hearts Through History RWA
National Excellence in Romance Fiction Novella Finalist
Six-year-old Suzy Jenkins desperately wants a pony for Christmas. And she's certain Santa will deliver. After all, she's been on her best behavior for months--not tattling on the bullies and even sharing her only candy cane. Besides, this year she has everything ready, including a cracked water bucket and several wizened carrots.
Suzy's mother struggles just to put food on the table. Life has been difficult since her husband died, and any pet--especially a pony--is impossible. However Suzy's unflagging belief in the importance of being kind serves as a catalyst, sending ripples throughout her snowy Nova Scotian town and bringing love and happiness to more than just a big-hearted little girl.
"A heartwarming story that brings together the wonderful innocence of children and the magic of the Christmas season." - Feathered Quill Book Reviews
"Pettersen's children's novella asks: What happens when a girl wants a horse more than anything? Suzy Jenkins is a 6-year-old girl who wants a pony for Christmas. She's come to understand that Santa just isn't sure whether she could handle taking care of such an animal. However, she's done her research, and she's believes she's more than ready to take on the responsibility when Santa finally brings her small horse.
As the holiday season progresses, she continues to get ready. She also charms Mr. Barrett, who owns a ranch and many racing horses, and Carl, an elderly man who appears not to have a home. In the end, Suzy finds herself at the center of a series of events that mends one family and helps to create a new one. Over the course of this book, it becomes clear that the story is primarily about different kinds of love--between Suzy and her mother, Suzy and Carl, and between Suzy's mother and Mr. Barrett. Pettersen's choice to tell the story through Suzy's eyes makes it charming from start to finish.
The budding romance between Suzy's mother and Mr. Barrett is understated, and Suzy's kindness to Carl is presented as a young girl doing her best to be good. Pettersen supplies hints of tragic pasts for many of the characters, but they're softened when seen through Suzy's young eyes... A delightful book about kindness, family, Christmas miracles--and ponies." - KIRKUS REVIEWS
