Who HQ brings you the stories behind the most well-known characters of our time.

In this addition to the What Is the Story Of? series, young readers will discover the exciting story of the beloved ponies, unicorns, and other fanciful characters of the My Little Pony universe!

When Hasbro's pony toys first hit shelves in 1981, they were originally called My Pretty Pony. By 1982, the toys were renamed My Little Pony and the world of rainbow-colored horses with hair you could brush began capturing the hearts of children everywhere. These pony characters soon became the stars of cartoons, movies, and video games. Today, the ponies look far different than they did forty years ago, but fans of all ages are still all-in on their favorites -- including Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie -- who encourage imagination, friendship, and kindness.