This was one of those cases when bedtime arrived, and it was time to start a fresh chapter book, but I hadn't visited the library that day, and so pulled a book from my own collection off the shelves. It wasn't one I'd planned on reading aloud because I thought maybe it was too old-fashioned, and the details of the wild pony round-up tradition on Chincoteague Island might be a little esoteric for present-day youth, but it worked out well; another beloved book from my childhood is now beloved of my seven-year-old boy. I'm glad it turns out you don't have to be a girl to love a book about ponies. We're heading South to visit my mom next week, and there in the basement of her house is the old collection of Breyer model horses from when my sisters and I were kids, Misty included. I think the time has come to pass her down to the next generation, chipped ear and broken hoof and all.My son was gripped by the story, and at one point during the reading, he said, "I hope that the Phantom and Misty are still alive, so I can go to Chincoteague Island and round them up!", and I had to gently explain to him that the book was published in 1947 and ponies generally don't live much more than twenty years. But I told him he was right in thinking that the Phantom and Misty were real. "This is a true story" I told him, "and this is a special copy of this book. Look I have something to show you." I turned to the title page and showed him four penciled signatures. Paul Beebe. Maureen Beebe. Clarence Beebe (Grandpa). Ida V. Beebe (Grandma). "Look, the real characters from the book signed their names here." If there's one thing my son does well, it's that utterly gratifying shiny-eyed "wow" look that makes everything worthwhile. So then I tucked him and his brother in and then went and looked up Misty on Wikipedia -- and promptly wished I hadn't. According to what I read, the real-life story was actually quite different from what's told in the book. But well now, we all know about how unreliable Wikipedia is, right? Obviously someone was messing around with that entry. I'm pretty sure the true story is still between the pages of my special copy. And now I'm off to mapquest to see how feasible a detour to Chincoteague VA is on a trip from NYC to DC.
Long time ago, a ship carryed 19-ponies, unfortunitily the ship met a strom, but the ship couldn't overcame furious sea and wecked. 15-ponies escaped and arrived Assateague Island, and they lived by themselves in the island, they overcame the natural condition, nobody took care of them. They were become wild-ponies, and the ponies' decedents thrived in the Assateague Island.Oneday, Paul and Maureen encounted the ponies' decedent, they were looked happily, so they decided to make money for buying a pony in Pony Penning Day.They heard a legend about Phantom that is wildest pony tale from their granfa. They wanted to get that strong pony.Pony Penning Day always comes on the last thursday in July.Paul took part as a helper of Pony Penning Day, he rode a pony(his grandfa's pony, named Watch Eyes). His roll was a roundup of ponies and swimed them across the chanel between Assateauge island and Chincoteague island. During the roundup, he found Phantom and her colt(Misty).Paul and Maureen bought them(Phantom and Misty) and trained Phantom. The next Pony Penning Day, there were a pony racing, Phantom was particepated and won the racing. Paul and Maureen often watched, sometimes Phantom looked far place and missed her wildlife, so they decided to let her go.They released Phantom from rein, they tore and said good-bye.While I read this book, as if I could see the scene and the depiction was so vivid. I felt the love for nature include human and ponies. Seperation is another meeting.
What do You think about Misty Of Chincoteague (2006)?
This book was a fun interesting read I loved every minute of it .Started off trilling good for horse lovers!!!!Misty of Chincoteague : The Beginning "Neigh" shot throught the air as the boat started to rock side to side .The capition of the Santo Cristo paced back and fowarth .The wind had died with no wind they were going no where . The poor poneys didn't have long if they didn't get there soon .Almost out of water and their hay had gone musty .Bammm!! the ship shuttered it had been hit by a shoal.Sinking the boat only 16 heads poped back up and 15 where the ponys .A large wave washing the Capitan away .Luckly the poneys made it to land.YEARS Later ..... The Phantom couln't be caught the wildest mare on the island of Assateague .The symbol of fredom with a large white map on her shoulder. Paul and Maureen have had their hearts set on a pony not any poney but the phantom.With no money they set off to work to get her they help make there Grandpa's yearlings into gental little things to get more for them with this job , catching oysters and sweeping the porch for the stores they raise enought money for the Phantom .If someone can even catch the phantom at all.
—Alexis
I remember roaming the stacks of the children's area of "my" public library during our first few visits there. We moved to town just a few months before my 10th birthday, and I loved the library right away. The ensuing years would find me reading, studying, and growing friendships within those walls. When I went looking for a job to pay for college, the public library was the only place I applied. Three wonderful years were spent shelving, answering phones, filing, replying to genealogy queries from all over the country, and helping our patrons research local and family history.But, at age 10, I didn't know all that. I just knew that as much as I loved the talking animal stories of Thornton W. Burgess, I had long outgrown them. I needed a new author to enjoy. Marguerite Henry was that author, and Misty of Chincotegue, -- published in 1947 -- was the first of her many books I enjoyed.I decided to visit "Misty" again this year, and it felt like I was becoming reacquainted with an old friend. A brother and sister share the lofty goal of capturing and purchasing an illusive wild pony during Chincoteague's Pony Penning Day. The two are self-motivated to work -- and work hard -- in a way most children don't understand. They make a good team as they face unforeseen obstacles, handle disappointment, celebrate successes, and ultimately decide to make a personal sacrifice to do what is best for the animals they love so dearly.Part of me felt the book was incorrectly named. It should be The Phantom of Assateague instead of its actual title, Misty of Chincoteague. Perhaps this marks my own shift in perspective as I identify with the mother instead of the foal. Who knows?Oddly enough, I pulled this book from my shelves at home, but it could be the same copy I read as a child. It is a library discard bought during a $2.00 a bag sale several years ago!
—Elizabeth Pruett
I was amused by the flashes of nostalgia as I listened to this book. In a way, the book can be a little hokey, with the "ye"s of the watermen and the over the top enthusiasms of the kids. But when I heard the first description of Misty, I remembered instantly my seven-or-eight-year-old obsession with getting my mom to buy yet another 64 color pack of crayons so I could get a new gold crayon to make my 74th picture of Misty just right... A wonderful story of the alchemy between animals and kids, and the role of our landscapes in helping us grow up. (And if you are from Maryland or Virginia, be prepared to start craving oysters and buttermilk fried chicken halfway through!)
—Sarah
