Author Jessica Milo on Horses and Friendship- plus a GIVEAWAY! « Lydia Lukidis
Author Jessica Milo on Horses and Friendship- plus a GIVEAWAY!
Hello world!!
Welcome to my kidlit blog, Blissfully Bookish. This week, I’m thrilled to welcome a talented children’s author whose love of fiction and social emotional learning shines through in her work. I don’t feature fiction as often as I feature nonfiction, but I’m always happy to make an exception for a book that explores meaningful themes of social emotional learning. Please say hello to Jessica Milo, who is here to tell us about her new picture book, MY PONY WONDER, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki and published by Random House Studio.
BUT first- YAY! Jessica is generously giving away a FREE 30-min AMA or a PB critique under 750 words! Simply comment on this blog- contest ends September 18, 2026.
Please describe the journey to publication and inspiration for MY PONY WONDER.
I was inspired by my big sister and my childhood of riding ponies and horses with her. We took riding lessons and competed in Gymkhana shows, but something about trail rides was so special—an adventure in the expansive outdoors that lets you observe and revel in the beautiful natural landscape. I wanted to capture that feeling while also showing how special the bond and friendship can be between a child and their pony or horse.
I wrote the first draft for this story in October 2022. After several revisions, my agent and I went on sub with it in April 2024. We received an offer in June 2024, and I signed the contract at the end of August. We originally got an R&R from a different editor, which we did, and sent that revised version to both that editor and my actual editor who had showed interest. We accepted my actual editor’s offer and felt she was the right person for this story and later learned the other editor who initially gave the R&R was also working on an offer for us. I’m so, so happy with our book, Ramona Kaulitzki’s beautiful illustrations, and so grateful for the Random House Studio team for helping to make this an amazing picture book.
What message would you like the book to impart to children?
I’d like children to know they, too, can ride a horse or pony! Anybody can ride a horse, no matter your age or what you look like! That’s why it was so important that the illustrations showed a diverse cast of characters riding ponies/horses and enjoying the trail ride. I want kids to know they can enjoy and bond with these beautiful animals, and that trail rides are a way to explore the outdoors while also building trust and friendship with their horse/pony. I hope the book encourages kids who have ridden a horse to ride again, and those who haven’t ridden to try it!
Please paste a short and compelling excerpt from your book.
Wind in hair.
Sun on cheeks.
We splishy-splash
across the creek.
Easy gallop,
wild and free.
Endless fun,
you and me.
The outdoors plays an important role in the story. What inspired the trail ride setting and the natural world around Wonder and his rider?
My own personal experiences with trail riding with my sister and my pony, Bunny. As a kid, I LOVED being outdoors, and trail riding provided a special way to both ride my pony and have fun together, while also exploring new places. It’s so calming and sensory, and in a way, meditative, to go on a trail ride, with no rush/hurrying, and taking it all in.
What is your writing process, and does it vary depending on the project?
My writing process does vary depending on the project! I write and revise what I’m most excited about. If there’s a story idea or a draft that I can’t stop thinking about, I follow that spark. That excitement makes me write my best and lets me focus and dive all the way in. I can sit down and write something if I make myself, but I find the most joy and do my best work when I’m excited and motivated.
Please share your favorite books that inspired you.
Yes! Three books that inspired me: One is an early reader that my sister and I loved reading as kids, called PAL THE PONY by Ronnie Ann Herman and Betina Ogden. Another book that really inspired me to write MY PONY WONDER in rhyme and inspired its structure is Valerie Bolling and Kaylani Juanita’s TOGETHER WE RIDE. Also, Sophie Blackall’s IF I WAS A HORSE was an inspiration for this story.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to other writers?
Write what you know, and write what excites you!! Pour your heart into your story and, keep writing a lot. The more you write and practice your craft, the better writer you’ll be. Also, read TONS and tons of books in the genre you write!!
And a bonus question just for kicks! What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Ooh great question!! My favorite book as a little kid was Don Freeman’s CORDUROY. I was obsessed with that book!
What song would be the theme song for your book?
As for the theme song of MY PONY WONDER, it’s definitely Taylor Swift’s I Knew It, I Knew You. I love that song!!
Bio
Jessica Milo is a kidlit author and middle school librarian residing in Northern California. MY PONY WONDER is her debut picture book, with several more on the way, including her NF picture book series, MADE WITH LOVE, illustrated by Patricia Pessoa and releasing with Putnam. The first book in the series, I’M A DUMP TRUCK, will be released in Spring 2028, followed by the second book, I’M A BLANKIE, in Spring 2029. Jessica also has a fantasy picture book entitled LUNA DREAMS OF THE MOON, illustrated by Yan Jiang, releasing with Chronicle Books in Fall 2028. When not writing, Jessica loves to knit, hike, eat too much pasta, and cuddle her silly cat, Gus. Jessica is agented by Wendi Gu of HG Literary.
Links
Webpage: www.jessicamilo.com
IG: @jessicamiloauthor
Link to buy MY PONY WONDER: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/784312/my-pony-wonder-by-jessica-milo-illustrated-by-ramona-kaulitzki/
