The arrival of a new baby can be traumatic for older siblings; especially if Mum is unwell during the pregnancy. All conversation is focused on the impending birth and for the child that has been used to being the centre of attention, suddenly there is competition. ‘Mum had promised me new curtains. But when was she going to make new ones if she was always sick or in hospital?’. This is Ruby’s life. Abandoned by her mother, ditched by her best friend and finding herself in hot water at school, Ruby is feeling sorry for herself. That is until she meets the colourful and mysterious Magda who gives Ruby a very special gift. Resonating with vague similarities to the hugely successful title Skellig written by UK author David Almond, The Wish Pony has an Australian colloquial feel. It is written in a lively and engaging manner which may appeal more to the young ladies of Year Three than to their male counterparts, dealing delicately and sensitively with a number and range of identifiable relationships by using language that is neither condescending nor unapproachable. However, the importance of the wish pony itself is left a little ambiguous, its role in the story would have benefitted from a little more engagement with the plot.

Fiona Edwards is an editor, journalist and teacher. She is currently studying for a higher research degree in Australian contemporary fiction

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