This post is a partnership with Gona’s Reading Ranch to share Carla Osborne’s new children’s book, “Pony Express” with my readers as a sponsored post and giveaway. As always, all opinions, recommendations, and overuse of exclamation points are my own ;)
In this house, one thing I’ve always been really passionate about is reading. From day 1, when kiddo was just a baby, I was reading to her every day. I’ve always been a voracious reader myself – starting in middle school I used to steal all of my parent’s paperback novels as fast as they could refill the bookshelves, reading everything from Sweet Valley High to Stephen King, always walking around with my nose in a book. I’m still that girl who always has a book in my purse, at least one on my nightstand, and a pile of “to be read next” books glaring at me each time I put in yet another order at an online book retailer, lol. I’m a book lover, man.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King. I’ve always felt like that was the most beautifully perfect way to describe why I love books so hard, 🖤 They’re the most inexpensive, accessible, portable form of magic, easily available to everyone. Pages of just paper and ink can transport you across the world, to other worlds, to other ages of the world. You gain empathy for others as you see life through the eyes of new characters. You learn and experience a whole range of feelings – excitement! Suspense! Heartbreak! Adventure! Loss! Love! All lived through the pages of a book. Magical, every time.
Like I said – I’ve read to kiddo since she was born. We still read together often. We sometimes read books via Zoom to younger nieces and nephews, to stay connected during these weird Covid times. 🖤 A new favorite we’ve found that I *highly* encourage you to check out is Pony Express, by Carla Osborne. It’s from her series Go Gona Go, and it’s absolutely freaking delightful, you guys.
The author grew up in rural Southern Idaho on a working farm that’s been in the family for four generations. She started writing children’s books to share a bit of the magic she knew growing up back then, with today’s generation of kids. Her life story is incredible, honestly – after leaving the farm, she went on to work with a traveling theater group as a singer, dancer, and actor. And now once again lives on a farm in Idaho, spending her days outside on 15 acres with horses, donkey, and sheep. To learn more about her amazing life story that inspired the magical children’s stories she writes, visit her site CarlaOsborneBooks.com. And be sure to check out her YouTube channel as well, and give it a follow:
The author’s life story is full of magical memories, and that definitely influences the story in Pony Express. It’s all about an adventurous girl named Gona, with a wild child heart like my own, who has a huge imagination, and a love for the outdoors and adventure. She partners with her brother to pretend to be Pony Express Riders, racing across the Wild West on their horses to deliver mail. They make a deal on getting chores done, then the shenanigans begin. ;) It’s kind of refreshing to see a book filled with kids enjoying life… with no screens or technology. 🤠 Just playing outside, inventing their own fun, the way we did as kids. You can almost feel the fresh air, just reading the book. It’s such a great read.
I hadn’t even realized until we started reading this book, that my kiddo had never heard of the Pony Express. She’s 11, in 6th grade, so I was super surprised?! But, with Covid, virtual schooling the past couple of years, the disruptions, substitutes, etc to infinity… there have just been a lot of subjects and topics that have gotten missed. So, this was a great opportunity for a fun bit of history lesson as well. The story is really sweet, the illustrations are beautifully done, and the quality of the book is wonderful. The story is fun for little kids – but still engaging for bigger kids too. Get your own copy here: Buy Pony Express here today. You can also head over to the @gonas_reading_ranch Instagram page too, for updates on the author, the book, other books she’s written, and upcoming fun. And while you’re on Instagram, don’t forget to follow me, too – @sunandsipcups.
ENTER TO WIN!!
Now, to win a copy of your own! Use the form below to enter to win – and be sure to share this with any other book lovers you know, or on your social media, to spread the word. Good luck!
. My copy of this is so worn – highlighted, underlined, scribbles in the margins, and filled with Post-Its. I’ve bought a couple of his ebooks already – but am SUPER excited to buy the others that I’ve been wanting, at just $10 bucks each. Awesomesauce. If you want them too, here are the links for each book, that will take you to the promotional price page. This sale is only good for 10 days – so stock up now!
– with Lil’ Riding Hood & Wolfie – the scent that brings the wolf is a fresh baked pie, and the story includes him learning to share. You can get the sweet 
doll too, to read along with you – Check her out on Amazon to see the pics, I’m impressed by how BIG she is! I’ve got this on Abby’s list for Christmas shopping this year…
. This is the story about Jack and Beanstalk, again, in a lighter and happier version. And of course, there is also a 
character from the story too! We love reading these books before Abby’s naptime – and I’ll definitely be picking some up as gifts for friends too. They’d be a perfect idea for a 
products on Amazon!
