The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Jessica Milo and Review of My Pony Wonder

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Jessica Milo writes children's books with heart, imagination, and hope—from the fantastical to the factual and beyond. A former preschool teacher and published poet, Jessica pours her passion for children's stories into her own books.

A part-time middle school librarian, Jessica lives in Northern California with her husband and cat, Gus. When she's not writing, she loves to play board games, knit, hike, read, eat a lot of pasta, travel, play with her adorable nieces, sing to Taylor Swift, and daydream about writing new stories that capture that same magical feeling from her kindergarten days.

Her debut rhyming picture book, My Pony Wonder, releases on July 7th .

Welcome Jessica,

Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? Is there something not in your

bio that you’d like to share with us?)

The places I love to write are either in my den office or on the couch in the living room. Most of the time, I’m writing on the couch with a blanket and a cup of coffee. I write when the mood strikes, or if I’m on a deadline. I don’t write every day, but I am always having a story working in the back of my mind. Also, I am a pantser. Plotting and outlining usually make me get too “in my head,” so I find it easier to write off the cuff.

Jessica, it is so nice to "meet" you. Congrats on your debut picture book. What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript?

I’ve written a draft on the notes app on my phone while on a hike. A lot of times, I’ll get a story idea or some opening lines when I’m trying to fall asleep. I always make sure to jot it down in my phone no matter how tired I am.

Ideas always come when you least expect them! What was your inspiration or spark of interest for My Pony Wonder?

Book cover - a girl excitedly riding a horse on a woodland trail.

I was first inspired to write the story of my big sister getting her first horse for her 11th birthday. But it wasn’t landing on the page the way I was hoping, and I was struggling to write that story. I wondered if I was too close to that experience and idea to write it as a picture book, so I zoomed out and considered writing a book about a young girl and her horse on a trail-ride adventure. My sister and I grew up riding horses, and trail rides were such memorable and fun experiences!

“Zooming out” gave me more freedom to write and experiment with the story, and I got the idea of writing it in sparse rhyme from having read Valerie Bolling and Kaylani Juanita’s Together We Ride. Next came the idea to write my book in a meter that sounded like clip-clopping horse hooves.

When we sold the manuscript, my editor suggested making the horse a pony instead. I loved this idea! Ponies are so cute, and it felt more fitting for the main character, who we imagined was around 6 years old. Before writing horses, my sister and I went on many pony rides and loved them. We were pony and horse-obsessed as kids! From there, it all started to come together to form the story of My Pony Wonder.

I've often heard that using our experiences for the springboard and then adjusting them for the story, makes the best "based on real life" picture books. What was the hardest part of writing My Pony Wonder? What was the most fun part?

The hardest part for me was ensuring the rhyme and meter were on point and emulated the sound of clip-clopping horse hooves (which was my goal from the beginning). Writing in rhyme and following a meter consistently is hard work! But with lots of practice and taking classes/webinars/workshops, it gets easier. I highly suggest taking Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab course! That helped me tremendously.

The most fun part was using poetic devices in the text—I love using onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance, consonance, etc. I loved writing lines in the story like “we splishy-splash across the creek” and “whistle, giggle, boot-step-stomp!”

I loved that course! I have also found Renee's "Peek & Critique" and "Book Look" videos on the Lyrical Lab YouTube channel invaluable for anyone wanting to write rhyming PBs (or just wonderful refreshers). How long did it take from the first “seed” of the idea to publication for My Pony Wonder?

I got the initial idea in summer 2022 while trying to write the story of my sister getting her first horse, which I scrapped because it wasn’t working. Then I came up with my new idea: the girl and horse going on a trail ride in early fall that same year, and I wrote the first draft for the trail ride story on October 27, 2022.

From there, I revised with my critique groups’ feedback in 2022 and 2023. Then I didn’t touch the manuscript until March 2024, when my agent and I were looking to submit a new picture book to publishers. We went on sub in early April 2024 and got an offer in early June that year. In August 2024, we signed the contract.

I got my very first advanced copy at the end of March 2026. Now, on July 7th , My Pony Wonder will officially be in the world at wherever books are sold!

Did anything surprise or amaze you when you first saw Ramona Kaulitzki’s illustrations? What is your favorite spread?

Absolutely! Firstly, I was just in awe of how gorgeous and charming Ramona’s illustrations were! They are stunning, and she was the perfect illustrator for My Pony Wonder.

What happily surprised me was how she included the other characters in the book! I didn’t have an art note in my manuscript about other kids or grownups being on the trail ride with my main character, and I loved that Ramona included a grownup and two other kid-aged friends on their ponies, all taking a trail ride together! It’s so sweet, and I just adore that the main character and her pony are experiencing the adventure with friends. I was also so glad to see that these characters were diverse in gender, race, body shape, etc.! And the other ponies are so cute! I also love that a little dog joins them on the adventure! Another thing that wasn’t in my manuscript but that I was again happily surprised to see in Ramona’s illustrations!

Internal spread - three girls on ponys and an adult on a horse ride along a woody trail as the sun starts to set, accompanied by their dog.

Text © Jessica Milo, 2026. Image © Ramona Kaulitzki, 2026.

It’s SO hard to choose a favorite spread, but I’d say my favorite right now is the spread where they are trail riding through the woods as the sun is setting, and the text says “shady trees, streaky light. Golden rays, balmy, bright.” I love how Ramona zoomed out so we could get this sweeping landscape of the woods that are glowing behind the characters on the trail—it’s such a beautiful spread!

It is stunning and thank you for your "behind the scenes" insights into this specific illustration. Is there anything special you want your readers to know or hope they discover about My Pony Wonder?

More than anything, I hope this book finds a home in the hearts of pony and horse-obsessed kids! Whether they are seasoned riders or dreamers who wish to ride a horse or pony, I hope this story encourages them to step into the saddle with confidence and experience the magic of horse-riding!

I also hope readers see that animal friendships, and the life-changing bond between a child and their animal, are special and to be celebrated and cherished! I’d like my book to be a reminder of the love and calm that these friendships bring into our lives, and of how, in moments of uncertainty or anxiety, or when we're experiencing sad emotions, spending time with an animal can bring a sense of calm, joy, and trust.

I think you will definitely accomplish both of these goals. Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit (or tease) with us?

Yes! Right now, my next picture book, which is scheduled for Spring 2028 with Penguin Random House, is in the art process. I cannot wait for this book to come out! It’s entitled Dump Truck: Made with Love and is the first book in the MADE WITH LOVE nonfiction picture book series. The second book, Blankie: Made with Love, is slated for Spring 2029. The incredible Patricia Pessoa is illustrating! The picture book series is about how beloved children’s items/toys come to be, all starting with natural resources from the earth and being shaped by many loving hands to become the toy/item they are today.

I’m also excited about my Fall 2028 fantasy lyrical picture book with Chronicle Books, entitled. Luna Dreams of the Moon. It has folktale vibes and classic bedtime story feels, and I’m honored that Yan Jiang is illustrating! Her art is amazing. I am loving seeing the sketches for this one. It’s the manuscript that landed me my rock star agent, Wendi Gu!

Other than that, right now, Wendi and I are getting ready to go on wide sub with a new picture book and working on revising my MG verse novel.

These all sound intriguing! We will have to keep our eyes open for them! Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?

Photo of a trail in Forest Park in Portland, Oregon.

That’s tough to pick just one! I’d say that one of my favorite regional parks is Forest Park in Portland, Oregon. My husband and I would go hiking there all the time when we lived in Portland, and it’s a gorgeous and lush place. Literally, it’s miles and miles of walking in a forest, and I loved how this park felt so remote despite being next to a major city. The natural beauty, fresh air, and endless trails make this place an absolute must-hike for anyone living or visiting Portland!

Thank you, Jessica, for sharing a bit about yourself and your newest picture book with us.

Maria, thank you so much for featuring me and My Pony Wonder on your lovely blog!

For more information about Jessica Milo, or to contact her:

Website: https://www.jessicamilo.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicamiloauthor/

Review of My Pony Wonder

Okay, I admit it. I love horses. And Wonder looks a little like the horse I used to have. My own sweet, gentle giant with just enough propensity to startle to make every ride an adventure. This rhyming picture book is a loving ode to the joy of having an equestrian friend.

My Pony Wonder

Author: Jessica Milo

Illustrator: Ramona Kaulitzki

Publisher: Random House Studio (July 7, 2026)

Ages: 4-8

Fiction

Themes:

Horses, adventure, rhyming, and friendship.

Synopsis:

Join a young rider and her pony on a trail ride adventure in this tender ode to the power of friendship and trust shared between a child and animal.

Easy gallop,

wild and free.

Endless fun,

you and me.

A girl boot-stomp-runs at the call of her pony’s whinny, both excited for a day of trail riding. After brushing his smooth coat and shiny mane and picking his hooves clean, it’s time to saddle up for a trail ride through the woods!

Through lyrical, bouncy verses, Jessica Milo invites readers to experience the beauty and wonder of the outdoors through the eyes of a young rider and her pony. As the pair trots and gallops along, they delight in each new sight, finding comfort in one another during moments of uncertainty, and ultimately, sharing precious time together.

Readers will get a glimpse at what it’s like to care for a pony and how to prepare for a trail ride. Charmingly illustrated by bestselling artist Ramona Kaulitzki, this rhythmic picture book is a tribute to the animal friends in our lives and for any kid who dreams of riding a pony!

Opening Lines:

Whistle, giggle,

boot-step-stomp!

Whinnies, neighs,

hooves that clomp!

What I LOVED about this book:

This is such a fun opening spread. As both the succinct verse and Ramona Kaulitzki's acrylic, watercolor textures, and Adobe Photoshop illustrations beautifully capture the joy of a girl and her equine friend as they meet up for a ride. The affection and caring between the girl and her pony, as well as the other two kids and their mounts, is evident as the kids groom and tack their ponies. "Tender strokes./ I scrape and pick./You nuzzle, nudge—/ a loving lick."

Internal spread - a girl opens the pasture gate, calling for your pony, as it runs toward her and two other kids are putting halters on their ponies.

Creating a beautiful first half of a circle (the second half being the sunset return ride seen in the interview above), the group heads out for a trail ride. While it's written from the point of view of the young girl addressing her pony, Wonder, I love that Ramona Kaulitzki added two diverse kids and their ponies, an adult and her horse, and a frisky dog to the illustrations to create a group for the trail ride.

Internal spread - on the left, on a trail going up and down gentle rolling hills, a girl on her white pony follows behind a girl riding a brown and white paint pony. On the right, a boy on a brown pony follows after an adult on an appaloosa horse, as a dog runs through the meadow grass beside them.

Crossing the meadow, they "splishy-splash across the creek" and happily gallop along the trail through trees, until suddenly the kids and ponies startle at something crunching and rustling in a bush at the trail's edge. Jessica Milo's poetic text tangibly captures the sudden fear of the kids and their ponies and explores the deep trust they have for each other. This will be a familiar experience for many equestrians and a gentle moment of tension and mystery for younger readers who have not, yet, ridden a horse.

Internal spread - on the left, the girl and her pony stop in the trail startled. On the right, at the edge of the woods, something big rustles in a bush at the edge of the trail.

A touching ending encourages a trot back to the beginning. This is a gorgeous, emotional, celebration of the joy and adventure associated with a relationship between a horse and rider. It's a wonderful book for young riders and those who dream of riding (or owning) a horse.

Resources:

Collage of photos of an origami, paper roll, paper bag, marionette, and stick horse craft.

make your own origami, paper roll, paper bag puppet, marionette, or stick pony. What adventures will you have with your pony?

pair this with other beautiful and touching horse friendship stories - The Pony and the Starling by Jennifer McGrath, illustrated by Kristina Jones, Midnight and Moon by Kelly Cooper, illustrated by Daniel Miyares, and How to Love a Pony by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud, and
check out Susanna Leonard Hill's Tuesday Debut post for additional information on Jessica and My Pony Wonder.