These leveled readers offer very basic information about the title animals. Clearly delineated headings introduce each subtopic (e.g., "What Is a Pony?"). Simple sentence structures, along with corny jokes ("On which day do cheetahs eat their prey? Chewsday!"), excellent well-captioned photos, and sidebars, increase accessibility. Glos.

Suitable for beginning readers and other young children intrigued by ponies, this book offers short, clearly written sentences and crisp, colorful photos. On thematic two-page spreads and occasional four-page sections, Marsh introduces such topics as pony care, riding, breeds, colors, and foals as well as wild ponies, ponies in the past, and ponies today. Often the book's rich visual content makes clear what words alone cannot, though in one case, a word needs further explanation. On the page of small pictures illustrating markings on ponies' heads (blaze, star, stripe, and snip), the meaning of the term snip is unclear even in the accompanying photo. Throughout the book, small boxes carry riddles and definitions of such words as herd and breed. The volume concludes with a visual matching game. The appealing topic, simple text, and excellent photos make this an appealing Level 1 book in the National Geographic Reader series.