A little girl whose family runs a travelling show falls in love with some wild ponies.but what will she do when she realises they long to be set free? From the author of Australian's favourite picture book, Magic Beach . LONG-LISTED: 2020 ABIA's, Children's Picture Book of the Year LONG-LISTED: 2020 Indie Book Awards, Indie Book of the Year Children's category SHORT-LISTED: 2020 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards, Five to Eight Years category Matilda loves staying at Grandma Lucky's, riding Luna in the front paddock and playing with the painted ponies in their carved wooden wagon. The gold palomino, the chestnut, the bay, the pinto, the brown and the dappley grey. One day, Lucky tells Matilda about when she was a little girl and the real ponies were her friends. A big, beautiful story about friendship and freedom, from Australia's favourite picture book creator, Alison Lester. Alison Lester's books are favourites with children and adults all around the world, with over 3 million copies sold in Australia, where she was the first Australian Children's Laureate. Her books Magic Beach , Imagine , My Farm , Are We There Yet? and Kissed by the Moon are Australian classics.

Readers love The Painted Ponies for its: - heartfelt story that explores animal bonds - vintage feel and nostalgic setting - rhythmic, galloping prose - vibrant and evocative illustrations.