Ten-year-old Alice Rozga, dreamed of owning a pony for as long as she can remember. The possibility that she might actually get one became more real when her family moved to New Zealand from Wales, and Alice became surrounded by other children with their ponies.
Alice’s mother suggested she could earn money to buy a pony by writing a story and selling it. Alice did just that. She wrote a 93 page book called Stella, The Magical Pony.
She began writing in June of 2013 and completed every aspect of the book from illustrations to layout. Her older brother helped her with the cover.
The book was published in January 2014. Alice had 50 books printed and is selling them for $15.00 (NZ) each.
1. How many months did it take from when Alice started writing, to when the book was published?
2. When Alice sells all of the 50 books, how much money will she make?
Alice will be getting an additional 100 books printed later this month.
3. How much money will Alice make when she sells all 100 books from the second printing?
4. When Alice sells all her books, how many will she have sold altogether?
5. How much money will she have earned altogether? Can you think of two ways to find the answer?
Alice’s favourite store, the Richmond Saddlery, is stocking copies, but Alice has not had much luck with the local bookstores.
Alice and her family hope to get a stall at the Nelson Market, and Alice’s uncle has offered to take Stella, The Magical Pony to the London Book Fair in April.
Stella, the wooden horse Alice and her Dad built.
Alice said the story was based on a wish she made a year ago, when she thought about what might happen if a wooden horse that she and her father made together became real.
“There was a beautiful grey pony standing right in front of me. It was my wooden pony, but not wooden anymore, alive. I slowly walked towards her and stroked her gleaming coat that had once been wooden. The mare nudged my arm. ‘Stella’, I murmured without meaning to. ‘Your name is Stella’, I said.”
The white wooden horse, also named Stella, is fully outfitted with a halter, reins and a leather saddle that Alice found secondhand for $15. It has a black paddock-mate named Spaghetti who is made out of a tyre. Stella is described in the book as a grey Welsh mare standing 13 hands high.
1 hand = 4 inches = 10.2 centimetres
6. What is Stella’s height in inches?
7. What is Stella’s height in centimetres?
Alice said her dream pony would be just like her. However, she said she would be happy with a real-life pony no matter what its appearance. Alice takes riding lessons every Sunday, and has begun earning money towards her own pony by grooming two ponies for $5.
8. How much money will Alice earn grooming the two ponies 6 times?
9. How much will she earn grooming the ponies 15 times?
Alice has saved more than $1000, but hoped to double this sum to cover grazing, vet bills and feed, as well as the cost of the pony itself.
10. When Alice has doubled the $1000, how much money will she have?
Click here if you would like to read the entire article about Alice and her book. Alice’s book, Stella, The Magical Pony, available on The Copy Press website.
Are you saving for a pony? Do you have a horse math story to share with other Horse Lover’s Math readers?
Alice Wants a Pony Answers:
1. How many months did it take from when Alice started writing, to when the book was published?
Answer: June to January is 7 months. It took Alice seven months to complete the book.
2. When Alice sells all of the 50 books, how much money will she make?
Answer: 50 x 15 = 750. Alice will make $750.
3. How much money will Alice make when she sells all 100 books from the second printing?
Answer: 100 x 15 = 1500. Alice will earn $1,500.
4. When Alice sells all her books, how many will she have sold altogether?
Answer: 50 + 100 = 150. Alice will have sold 150 books altogether.
5. How much money will she have earned altogether? Can you think of two ways to find the answer?
Answer:
Method 1: 750 + 1500 = 2250. Alice will have earned $2250.
Method 2: 150 x 15 = 2250. Alice will have earned $2250.
6. What is Stella’s height in inches?
Answer: 13 x 4 = 54. Stella is 54 inches high.
7. What is Stella’s height in centimetres?
Answer: 13 x 10.2 = 132.6. Stella is 132.6 centimetres high.
8. How much money will Alice earn grooming the two ponies 6 times?
Answer: 5 x 6 = 30. Alice will earn $30 grooming the two ponies 6 times.
9. How much will she earn grooming the ponies 15 times?
Answer: 5 x 15 = 75. Alice will earn $75 grooming the two ponies 15 times.
10. When Alice has doubled the $1000, how much money will she have?
Answer: 2 x 1000 = 2000. Alice will have $2000.
Photos: All photos from video.
I’m washing cars to get money for a horse and it’s hard work looking after a horse but very rewarding. Good luck to anyone out there saving up for a horse.
You’re right, it does take a lot of work looking after a horse, but when you are doing something you love, it’s not drudgery, the work feels good! As for ways of making money, I’ve come across articles about girls making their own horse treats and selling them. In fact, there is an HLM post with a recipe for easy horse cookies.
I am Alice’s mum. I must admit to being amazed to find Alice’s story on your website! Just to let you know that she now has almost $2000! The books are still selling and we are especially getting a lot of interest from schools, which is exciting! We are looking to make the book available through amazon. Currently it can be purchased via copy press.co.nz or directly from Alice. It’s great that Alice is getting all this attention but ultimately she is not interested in all the fame. She just wants a pony!
It is amazing how the internet connects us all! I found a wonderful article about Alice on http://www.stuff.co.nz and recognized her story as a one to share with HLM readers. You must be so proud! Please let us know when she does get her pony. Then the next chapter begins – the costs of owning a pony.