Ponies and other wildlife get help from new book

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(April 13, 2023) Summer is coming and so are the tourists. That means the peaceful time for the Assateague ponies and other wildlife is about to end.

Samantha Norwood Conners hopes her new book, “Assateague Island Activity and Coloring Book,” will educate visitors on how to be good tourists while visiting Assateague Island.

Conners’s book aims to provide an engaging way for kids — and others — to learn about the rules to follow on Assateague Island when it comes to the wildlife, especially the wild horses.

Throughout the book, there is advice on ways to be a good visitor and keep the horses, other wildlife and people safe, including driving slowly, not approaching the horses, and keeping food stored properly.

“There are also fun coloring pages and activities to complete,” Conner said.

“There have been sad incidents over the past few years. In July of 2021, there was a mare and foal that were struck by a vehicle.”

“I work in a warehouse that makes books. When I thought about the tragedy, I wondered if there was a book about Assateague that would identify things people should be aware of,” Conners said.

There wasn’t.

So, she started to think about creating one herself.

Then the stallion, nicknamed Chip, was removed for getting too aggressive with visitors.

“I said to myself, ‘are you going to

See ACTIVITY Page 17