Activity book teaches kids to protect Assateague ponies

do this book or not?’”

Conner created all of the art herself, drawing freehand and using some models of horses to ensure she had the proportions right. But she wanted to make sure the horses looked like the wild horses on Assateague, not a “Clydesdale.”

The book includes various exercises, including connect-the-dots, word search, color by number and a saltwater maze with horses trying to find each other.

“Each page I made into its own poster that can stand on its own. You can hang it on a wall. One is a door hanger that has seals on it that say, ‘Do not disturb,’” Connor said.

The Assateague horses have been special to Conner since she was little.

“I am an animal lover, especially horses. I was one of those horse-crazy girls. I have been taking [riding] lessons since I was three,” Conner said. She has visited Assateague since she was about five years old. She loves the thrill of looking for the horses and the other wildlife she has seen along the way.

Back when she first started visiting, the horses did not have names, and fewer people were visiting the island. As the crowds grew, so did the dangers for the wildlife.

“People were feeding the horses more. I fed them as a young kid. I was educated and now I am trying to educate other people.

“The book is to help visitors be the best visitors on the island,” Conner said.

“Assateague Island Activity & Coloring Book” is available on Amazon. Connor is currently working on the book being available in local stores by Memorial Day.

A portion of proceeds from each book sale goes to the non-profit Assateague Island Alliance to help preserve the wildlife and ecosystem on the island.