At every gift-oriented occasion Cynthia wishes for a pony, and each time she is disappointed. Sure enough, this year, yet again, there’s no pony among her birthday presents. Instead, she receives a goldfish. Fed up, Cynthia’s about to pour the fish down the drain when he begs her to stop. The goldfish announces that he is magical, and that he will give Cynthia whatever she wishes for if she will set him free. As Cynthia carts the goldfish to the lake, she unexpectedly discovers the dangers the world presents to a fish in a glass bowl: a hungry cat, the hot sun, and kids tossing a ball around. By the time they reach the shore, Cynthia has come to care for her new pet, despite his non-pony status, and the two head home together. Stylized illustrations rendered in gouache paint show a 70’s-era Cynthia, complete with poncho. (Ages 3–6)

Cynthia loved ponies. All she could think about was ponies. Every birthday Cynthia wished for a pony and every birthday she got something else.

An adorable new picture book about an unlikely friendship

Cynthia has always wanted a pony of her very own and is sure her parents will give her one for her birthday. But to her dismay, they give her a goldfish instead. Determined to get rid of it, she puts the fish in her doll stroller and sets off toward the lake. But during the walk, Cynthia discovers that this is a little fish with a big personality- could it be even better than having a pony?