"Wonder" is a rocking horse residing forgotten in the basement, as the children grow older. The young girl who tells us about her early childhood with Wonder, first person, is coming to terms with the idea of what it means to grow up, to let go, and she finally learns to share her pony.

Jirinia Marton's lovely, painterly illustrations in gouache, lend a romantic timeless quality to the book. This is a satisfying story for all children who have had to cope with the loss of a cherished possession.

There are 24 pages in this book. This book was published 1993 by Annick Press Ltd .

Maryke Barnes has written plays and musicals, some of which were produced in Canada, the USA and Britain. "The Chenoo who stayed to Dinner," was recorded with the actor Chief Dan George narrating the script, and broadcast on the CBC. For thirteen years Maryke also wrote radio commentaries for five Canadian radio stations. "Setting Wonder Free" is her first children's book, inspired by her two children and a horse named "Wonder. " Jirina Marton studied art in her native Prague. She subsequently moved to Paris, France, where she arranged first exhibitions of her art, and where she received her first commissions to illustrate children's books. Her paintings have been exhibited in Italy, Japan, France, Spain and Canada.