2022 EDIT: I didn't find 'The Princess and the Foal' to be as interesting on my second read, strangely. In fact, I got more bored as I read on. Maybe it's my current mood, or I'm not keen on horses. Or I'm burned out on princess stories. There are a few little odd typos and continuity gaps, too (the author seeming to momentarily forget how old, and how young, the characters are supposed to be, for example). I'm also not sure how I feel about fictionalised accounts of real life royalty, watered down and simplified (with flat and stereotypical side characters) for a children's book. But it is a nice children's book, nonetheless. Princess Haya, real life rebel princess and Olympic equestrienne champion, is an inspiration. It contains a fairly decent grief theme, as well.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
A triumphant, heartwarming, delightful, endearing and inspirational book.
'The Princess and the Foal' is a semi-true story about the unstoppable and determined famous competing horsewoman Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan, Arabia, and her beloved foal Bint Al-Reeh, nicknamed Bree.
There is much more to this story than the pink princessy cover suggests. It's no fairy tale or Disney movie.
The people in Haya's life - her father the King, her younger brother Prince Ali, her uncle Prince Hassan, her cousin Princess Badiya, her palace staff, stablehands, stable teachers, polo players, English schoolgirls, English girl showjumpers, even her strict and cruel governess Frances, and especially her lovely and agonizingly grieved-for mother, the late Queen Alia - are positive influences for her in different ways. Most are so nice and supportive!
Haya's friends also include her camels, Lulabelle and Fluffy, her father's fierce falcon Akhbar, and her own initially-obstinate falcon, a sakret named Sama. Horses are not the only animal friends this princess has!
Haya's young life, up to her twelve years when she reigns champion above adult male riders and receives deserved worldwide recognition, is thrilling and envious. Managing to rise above her grief over the tragic loss of her mother at such a young age (though naturally the grief never goes away), she's gifted, immensely talented, bold, brave, creative, balanced, and powerful. I wish I had learned about her long before. There are too many amazing women not getting enough recognition nowadays; educationally, politically, or otherwise. Haya is Middle Eastern royalty, as well, for crying out loud.
I don't remember reading any pony books growing up, but 'The Princess and the Foal' is a surprising and stunning treat for me as an adult. There's nothing shallow or patronizing about it. I did used to take horse riding lessons, however, and this book brought back memories. That part of my childhood didn't turn out well in the end, but Princess Haya is an inspirational icon.
So what if she is not like a traditional princess? Most aren't if you think about it, and do your research. The spotless, delicate, demure, flighty, innocent, helpless, fair and white fairy tale princess with all airs and manners and no ambitions of her own beyond weddings and royal breeding stock is just that; a fairy tale. She can't exist.
Princess Haya works as hard as every other professional showjumper. She's free, happy and herself, doing what she loves, and loving her pony. Her friendship with Bree - from a three-day-old filly to a strong, well-brought up mare - is a bond for the ages. They have both lost their mothers, and that is only the beginning of their connection and devotion to one another.
Haya is strong in her convictions - not always, when she was still a child - but she bounces back. She is an equestrienne whirlwind.
'The Princess and the Foal' - Recommended for all, not just pony or princess lovers. Never judge a book by its cover.
Thank you, Stacy Gregg, for your passion, for bringing this story into the world.
For spotlighting Haya, a fantastic real life princess for girls to admire and emulate. In jumping and flying higher and higher, never giving in to limitations or traditions.
Never giving up.
Final Score: 4.5/5
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