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Riding Horses Changed My Life
The Adventures of Cocoa and Cream – Remarkable Twin Ponies follows the experiences of two ponies who discover their forever home with two young girls. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My family owned a riding school when I was a child so I wanted that setting. Riding horses changed my life. My objective was to emphasize that horses can have a huge impact on a child’s life. Also, there is a scene in the book where Mama makes stew with dumplings. She encourages the dumplings to puff up because the stew is depending on them. My mom did that, so it was a way to honor her.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I hoped to introduce children to some of the aspects of the care of ponies. If the young readers were familiar with riding, they may have known some of the details, but if not, I wanted them to learn more about what is involved with life on a farm.
The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. The realistic drawings definitely appeal to older elementary readers. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Mirjana Buveska?
I loved working with Mirjana. I interviewed several artists to illustrate this book, and I felt Mirjana had exceptional talent. She captured the personalities of the animals and people in the story perfectly.
Do you have more adventures planned for Cocoa and Cream?
Yes, I plan to create a series about them. I don’t have a time frame yet.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Meet Cocoa and Cream, the amazing twin ponies with wild, untamed manes! They are anything but ordinary. Cocoa and Cream have a big dream: to teach little kids how to ride and help them discover their incredible potential. Join Cocoa and Cream, and discover the countless ways these special ponies help kids like you reach their goals!
The Adventures of Cocoa and Cream-Remarkable Twin Ponies
Dive into the enchanting world of The Adventures of Cocoa and Cream – Remarkable Twin Ponies by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne. This heartwarming tale follows the captivating journey of two five-year-old ponies. This charming story centers around the endearing relationship between these ponies and the children and visitors who adore them. When Dee and Nancee, two spirited young girls, cross paths with the ponies, an instant and unbreakable bond forms. Together, they embark on a thrilling adventure, discovering their forever home and eagerly anticipating the myriad of exciting escapades that lie ahead.
Narrated from both the perspective of the ponies and the children, the narrative beautifully captures the dynamics of their interactions. A delightful and breezy read, the book delves into the significance of collaboration, creative problem-solving, and the joy of venturing into uncharted territories. Deanie Humphrys-Dunne skillfully weaves a tale that radiates positivity and family values, making it not only an enjoyable experience for reading to children but also a source of personal delight.
As an amateur equestrian, I found this narrative particularly relatable, as it echoes my early experiences of bonding with animals and learning to ride horses. The author’s adept storytelling paints a vivid picture, evoking a sense of nostalgia through charming illustrations and an atmosphere brimming with heartfelt emotions. It’s a literary gem that effortlessly evokes cherished memories for adults while simultaneously igniting a newfound fascination with horses in young readers.
This book is a fantastic addition to home and school libraries, perfect for school-aged children. The Adventures of Cocoa and Cream – Remarkable Twin Ponies offers a delightful tale that resonates with themes of unity, appreciation for animals, and the joys of exploration. Whether your child is yet to mount a horse or has already begun their equestrian journey, this story is captivating. It encourages a love for reading and cultivates essential reading skills from an early age. I recommend this pony-filled adventure to parents, teachers, and caregivers, as it embodies the magic of companionship, discovery, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
Pages: 60 | ASIN : B0CBQDPFBD
A Tractor Named Wilbur
![A Tractor Named Wilbur: Friendships Last Forever (Wilbur the Tractor Book 1) by [Humphrys-Dunne, Deanie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51oZrg3OehL.jpg)
A Tractor Named Wilbur by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is a short yet adorable children’s book featuring a little red tractor named Wilbur who lives in a barn. Wilbur lives with a man named Jim, who simply adores Wilbur. Every day, Wilbur helps Jim out with many errands both small and large, working faithfully without a single complaint.
This book contains key elements of a good children’s book such as interesting characters children can relate to, integral moral values and entertaining illustrations to keep readers hooked. The author’s hard work is shown through the apparent care given to developing a good story arc, flow and personification of the inanimate characters. However, I do think that this book could have benefited from a little humor and jokes as the story is slightly flat until the climax takes place. The theme of the book is lighthearted and cheerful, making it perfect for young kids’ enjoyment.
Pages: 41 | ASIN: B07XQNGJQJ
My Life at Sweetbrier
![My Life at Sweetbrier: A Life Changed by Horses by [Humphrys-Dunne, Deanie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51rr1jZzT1L.jpg)
My Life at Sweetbrier: A Life Changed by Horses is a non-fiction book written by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne about her true life experiences growing up on a horse farm in Easton, Connecticut called Sweetbrier. After Deanie’s parents were told she would probably never be able to walk, she not only overcame her disability in order to learn to walk but Deanie also learned to ride horses and becomes an equestrian jumping champion, riding a horse named Fleet Nancy (Peach). Then she has surgery on her leg to help her walk better and she has to relearn to walk and ride all over again. After many months of physical therapy and hard work, she comes back to the jumping circuit and wins even more championships.
I enjoyed reading this book. It had an inspiring message about overcoming obstacles in order to reach your goals, to keep trying even when you fail and not give up. It’s a message that will resonate with all readers regardless of whether or not they have a physical disability like Deanie.
The descriptions of Little Man (Deanie’s first pony) were humorous as she described his actions when she was learning to ride, but it was sad to read about the horses that the family lost when the barn caught on fire.
I loved that the author included family photographs and pictures of the house and barns at Sweetbrier and the horses owned by the Humphrys Family while Deanie was growing up. There were also pictures of the Humphrys sisters jumping at various horse shows.
Although I enjoyed the book, I felt that the story was a bit disjointed at the beginning, with Deanie retelling various events in her past, jumping from one memory to another without connections between them. I would have preferred a more cohesive narrative in that section of the story, but this is not an issue in the later parts of the story. No dates were mentioned, and I would have liked to know when Deanie was growing up and when she won numerous equestrian jumping championships.
This is an inspirational story that excellently conveys the moments and emotions of Deanie’s life. This book invites readers into a personal story, one that is told boldly, and I appreciated it.
Pages: 144 | ASIN: B0711P67DM
LITERARY TITAN 