BRAMBLE and MAGGIE, GIVE AND TAKE by Jessie Haas, illustrated by Alison Friend

About Book

Maggie loves introducing her new horse, Bramble, to the neighborhood, the beach, and the backyard. Bramble has fun too, once she is cajoled into participating by a well-timed carrot or two. But when Maggie has to go to school, Bramble is bored and lonely and gets into some trouble with Mr. Dingle next door. A misbehaving hen and a midnight visitor finally help to turn Bramble into a good neighbor. This charming and funny early reader flows at just the right pace for kids who are learning that others don’t always do exactly what you want, but that friends find a way to give and take.

Maggie and her mischievous horse, Bramble, are back for another spirited romp through the ins and outs of friendship.

Series: Bramble and Maggie
ISBN: 0763650218 / 9780763650216
Publication date: 04/2013
Type/format: Early Reader/Chapter Book / Hard Cover
Age range: 5 yrs - 7 yrs
# of pages/size: 48 / 6" x 9"
Grade range: Kindergarten - Grade 2
Publisher: Candlewick Press

Purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart


About Author

I've written horse books for all ages; historical novels; contemporary novels; nonfiction; poetry; and history for adults. I was first published in 1982. If you grew up reading KEEPING BARNEY.and you're starting to raise or teach another generation of horse lovers, I'd love to hear from you.

If you're teaching beginning readers, I hope you'll look at the pony series--RUNAWAY RADISH, BIRTHDAY PONY, JIGSAW PONY--and my new book, BRAMBLE AND MAGGIE, HORSE MEETS GIRL. I often hear that "This was the first chapter book my child read from start to finish." 

A librarian told me about a fourth-grade boy who came to her one day, hugging RADISH. "I never thought I could learn to love to read," he said, "and then I found my Radish." We both had tears in our eyes, in the middle of the grocery store.

If you want to quiet a room full of kids, read aloud the first chapter of FIRE! or CHASE, and hear them start to hold their breath (the ultimate thrill for an author). If you don't want to cry in public, DON'T read the second chapter of UNBROKEN. If you want a canter through the byways of history, read HOOFPRINTS. If you want to crochet your horse a saddle blanket, or learn how to take pictures of him, read HORSE CRAZY!

And you knew, didn't you, that the first blood of the American Revolution was shed at Westminster, Vermont? If not, read REVOLUTIONARY WESTMINSTER.

Books by Jessie Haas: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Author's website: http://www.jessiehaas.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

About Alison Friend:

My name is Alison Friend and I am an illustrator living and working in Sheffield, England - close to the wonderful Peak District. 


I have enjoyed painting and drawing animals for as long as I can remember, and I love to 
find the humour in situations between animals and people. I really try to focus on bringing out the characters in my paintings, or should I say bringing plenty of character to my subjects. 

I have worked with Two Bad Mice Publishers for the past 9 years and continue to work with them expanding my range of greeting cards.

My love of picture books inspired me to look for work in the children’s book industry, and in 2009 I illustrated my first picture book manuscript for Candlewick Press - ‘What Color Is Caesar?’ written by Maxine Kumin was released in Feb 2010. 

I have just finished illustrating my second picture book for Candlewick and have started work on a chapter book.

When I am not drawing and painting, I love spending time with my husband and my little boy.

Visit Alison on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afriendillustration

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Bramble and Maggie, Give and Take

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My Thoughts

Bramble at first seemed a little stubborn but he figured out the if he and Maggie tried a little give and take they would be able to get along a lot better.  One incident was he would not allow Maggie to put the halter on him but when she gave him a carrot he figured he would let her put the halter on him.  Give and Take.

When Maggie had to go to school Bramble seemed lonely and a neighbor suggested he needed a friend to keep him company.  At first Bramble thought this to be a bad idea since the company was a chicken.  Then to Bramble's surprise, and with a little give and take they might learn to enjoy each others company.  

The author teaches us that with a little give and take a bad situation can turn into something doable.  She also gives you a realistic look at the responsibility of caring for horse.  I look forward to reading more of this series.

If a toddler looked through the book the illustrations would tell the story. But it is so much fun to have someone read the book or better yet read it yourself.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Candlewick Press for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review. This review is my honest opinion.