 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. M. Peyton
A highly popular author who is best known for her partly horsy historical series Flambards, which was made into a famous TV series back in the 1970s. Her pony books are highly acclaimed and explore far deeper issues than most books in the genre.
Kathleen Peyton was born in Birmingham, England, in 1929 and like many other pony book authors was very young when she published her first books. The first ones were published under her maiden name of Kathleen Herald. She has also published at least one short pony story under the name of Kathleen Peyton (The New Rider at Clearwater), there may possibly be more.
Her writing roots were different to that of many other pony authors. She was brought up in a suburban rather than rural environment and could not have a pony of her own. She began to write about ponies to compensate for this. Perhaps because of this different viewpoint her books tend to be rather different in style to that of many other authors in the genre. Her characters are often loners and independent spirits. She also seems to have been something of an independent spirit herself, going to art school instead of university where her parents had expected her to go, and once there eloping with a fellow student. (He was to become her husband.) When she suffered a serious riding accident in which she damaged her spine, she recovered with a tenaciousness typical of many of her characters and was up and riding again within 5 months!
The 'M' in her pen name is taken from her husband's name, Michael. She and he collaborated on a number of magazine articles and stories including adventure stories for a Boy Scout magazine! The novel North to Adventure was also written with him. Perhaps Ms. Peyton's excellent portrayal of male characters is due in part to the time she spent writing with Michael.
As well as pony stories she has also written many non-pony books for both children and adults including historical, adventure stories and romances. All are excellent reads! One of the other recurrent themes throughout her books as well as horses is the sea and sailing, which her are husband's passions and which he introduced her to.
As well as being a great writer Kathleen is also a talented artist who has a degree in Art and has taught the subject. She has also illustrated many of her own books.
(Sources: Contemporary Authors, 20th Century Children's Authors)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Flambards Series:
Historical series. Horses appear throughout the series but, except for the first book, it is not technically a pony book series. However I am including this in its entirety as it is by far the most famous and well-loved of all the author's series. It won the Carnegie Medal for The Edge of the Cloud and was made into a popular TV series in the 70s.
The series was originally a trilogy, but a fourth book was added some time later, which for many readers was an unwanted addition (not because of any lack of quality in the writing but because of what happens in the story itself). The consensus of opinion is that the series is best read as the original trilogy.
1) FLAMBARDS
(OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1967)
ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS
Reprinted many times in hardback by Oxford Univ Press.
Reprinted many times in paperback by Puffin & Oxford Univ Press.
Published in the USA by World Books in 1968.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1970s hardback reprint, Puffin paperback TV tie-in edition, 1990s Oxford paperback, 2004 Oxford paperback, latest Oxford paperback edition.
SUMMARY: Set in the early 20th century, not long before the First World War. Orphaned Christina goes to live with her crippled horse-mad and autocratic uncle and her two very different cousins. She soon gains the approval of her uncle when she learns to ride and finds herself loving it, unlike her younger cousin Will who prefers the new fangled contraptions motorcars and flying machines!
PONYMAD RATING: GOLDEN TROPHY FOR OUTSTANDING READ
2) THE EDGE OF THE CLOUD
(OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1969)
ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS
Reprinted many times in hardback by Oxford Univ Press.
Reprinted many times in paperback by Puffin & Oxford Univ Press.
Published in the USA by World Books in 1969.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Puffin paperback, Puffin paperback TV tie-in edition, 1970s Oxford paperback, 1990s Oxford paperback.
SUMMARY: Christina must learn to cope with a new life where aeroplanes take the place of horses and the outbreak of war which will change everything.
PONYMAD RATING: GOLDEN TROPHY FOR OUTSTANDING READ
3) FLAMBARDS IN SUMMER
(OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1969)
ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS
Reprinted many times in hardback by Oxford Univ Press.
Reprinted many times in paperback by Puffin & Oxford Univ Press.
Published in the USA by World Books in 1970.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, 1970s Puffin paperback, Puffin paperback TV tie-in edition, 1990s Oxford paperback.
SUMMARY: The First World War has arrived and with it comes tragedy for Christina. She returns to Flambards and finds it too has suffered. Can she bring it back to life once more and build a new life for herself in the process. Two new arrivals to her life - one of them from the past - give her the chance to try.
PONYMAD SERIES RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
4) FLAMBARDS DIVIDED
(OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1981)
Reprinted by Oxford Univ Press.
Reprinted in paperback by Puffin.
Published in the USA in hardback by Philomel in 1982.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Puffin paperback, USA edition.
SUMMARY: Later sequel to the series. Christina's happy life is turned upside down by the return of a man from her past.
PONYMAD SERIES RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
Other editions:
FLAMBARDS TRILOGY
(OXFORD 1979)
Reprinted in paperback.
EDITION PICTURED: Paperback.
SUMMARY: Omnibus edition containing the first three books in the series.
Collectors Info:
All the books were published in the USA as well as the UK and can be found in both these locations, and to a lesser extent in Australia. All are still in print and second hand copies are also very easy to find. First editions are rare and can be pricey, although later hardback reprints are far easier to track down and cheaper and are worth pursuing for the lovely Victor Ambrus jackets. Of the paperbacks, the early Puffins with once again Victor Ambrus art-work, are the most desirable.
The 3 in 1 omnibus edition is fairly rare and there was also a nice boxed set (pictured bottom right) which is quite hard to find.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ruth, Peter & Jonathan Series:
A very well-loved series about the complicated relationships between people and ponies and between young people themselves. The first two mainly centre on Ruth and Peter, with a little bit of love interest between them in The Team where the character of Jonathan appears. The last one was written a while later and follows the adventures of the grown up Peter and Jonathan and is therefore more adult in theme and for older teenagers and adults. Sadly Ruth does not appear in this story, except in passing mention.
*Ruth and Jonathan also appear in a number of non-pony books written by the author - see below for more information.
1) FLY BY NIGHT
(OXFORD UNIV PRESS 1968
IILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Reprinted a number of times in hardback by Oxford Univ Press,
Reprinted in paperback by Oxford, Red Fox , Sparrow and Fidra.
Published in the USA
It was also included in a 3 in 1 paperback published by Red Fox which included also 2 other books by other authors. (See below for more details)
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Oxford paperback edition, Red Fox paperback, Sparrow paperback, USA edition
SUMMARY: Ruth can't manage her self willed pony Fly. The only person who can help is ace rider Peter McNair whom her mother is looking after. But he has been traumatised by his over-competitive father and Ruth is not allowed to talk about horses to him. How will she get Peter to help?
PONYMAD RATING: GOLDEN TROPHY FOR OUTSTANDING READ
Read/take part in a discussion of the book in our forum reading circle
2) THE TEAM
(OXFORD UNIV PRESS 1975)
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Reprinted in paperback by Sparrow and Red Fox.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Red Fox paperback, Swallow paperbak, unknown edition.
SUMMARY: An older Ruth has outgrown her beloved Fly. She ends up buying Toadhill Flax, the only pony that Peter ever loved... Can their friendship survive his resentment?
PONYMAD RATING: GOLDEN TROPHY FOR OUTSTANDING READ
Read/take part in a discussion of the book In our forum reading circle
3) THE LAST DITCH
aka FREE REIN (USA Title)
(OXFORD UNIV PRESS 1983)
Also a large print edition.
Published as FREE REIN in the USA by Philomel.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, USA edition.
NB: This is not strictly a continuation of the series as Ruth does not appear in the book, the two main characters are Peter and Jonathan.
SUMMARY: Jonathan finds himself in a terrible predicament and runs off to help Peter McNair train a horse for the Grand National. In the process he grows up a lot and learns to accept his responsibilities.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
Read/take part in a discussion of the book in our forum reading circle
Other editions:
PONY STORIES
(RED FOX PB)
SUMMARY: Omnibus. Contains Fly-by-Night, plus A Summer of Horses by Carol Fenner and The Second Mount by CPT
Related titles:
Jonathan from these books also appears in two non-horsy novels:
PROVE YOURSELF A HERO
A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTS DEATH
Ruth appears in three non horsy books:
THE BEETHOVEN MEDAL
PENNINGTON'S HEIR
MARION'S ANGELS
Visit the 'related series' section below for more information on these.
Collectors Info:
Fly-by-night and The Team were published in paperback a number of times. Free Rein/Last Ditch was not. They were published in the USA as well as the UK. The paperbacks are easy to find and cheap. First editions are rare and may be expensive. Last Ditch is ironically a lot easier to find in the USA (under its American title of Free Rein) than in the UK. It is quite rare here, although there is a large print library copy knocking around in some local libraries - worth asking your neighbourhood librarian about! The 3 in 1 edition is easy to find in the UK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Horse & Pony Books:
THE RIGHT HAND MAN
(OXFORD UNIV PRESS 1977)
ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS
Reprinted in paperback by Magnet
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition
SUMMARY: Historical story. In Georgian England, young Ned Rowlands becomes coachman and right-hand man to reckless Lord Ironminster, who has lost an arm but not his passion for racing
DEAR FRED
(BODLEY HEAD 1981)
Also a large print edition.
Published in the USA by Philomel in 1981.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, USA edition
SUMMARY: Adult/older child historical novel set in the world of racing. A young girl has a crush on the top jockey of the time Fred Winter. Her parents dismiss the relationship as fantasy, but harsh reality is just around the corner.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
WHO SIR, ME SIR?
(OXFORD UNIV PRESS 1983)
ILLUSTRATED BY JOY BARLING
Reprinted in hardback by Oxford Univ Press.
Reprinted in paperback by Puffin.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, unknown edition, Puffin paperback.
SUMMARY: Humourous story. A bunch of school kids are persuaded to take part in a tetrathlon but they are hopeless!
PONYMAD VIEW: Perhaps more of a school story than a pony one, but have included it as there is quite a bit of pony content. Also it is funny so worth a read! There is a non-pony sequel called Downhill All The Way.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
THE SOUND OF DISTANT CHEERING
(BODLEY HEAD 1986)
Also published as a Reader's Digest Condensed Book in 1986.
Reprinted in paperback.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition.
SUMMARY: Adult horse novel. Old Letitia Cutbush lives alone, fiercely independent and insufferably rude to her neighbours, accepting help only from young Rosy Weeks, a "lad" in the racing stable where the old woman once reigned supreme. In the hands of Letitia's grandson, the once-great stable is now a second-rate yard but Rosy dreams of seeing it return to its past glory. Jeremy does too - if his grandmother leaves him her money when she dies.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
PLAIN JACK
(HAMISH HAMILTON 1988)
Reprinted in paperback by Scholastic.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, paperback edition
SUMMARY: Pony novel aimed at younger readers.
DARKLING
(DOUBLEDAY 1989)
Reprinted in hardback.
Reprinted in paperback by Corgi.
Published in the USA by Delocorte in 1990, also in paperback by Laurel Leaf.
Doubleday also produced an edition in Canada.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Corgi paperback, unknown edition.
SUMMARY: Pony novel for older children/adults set in the racing world. An intelligent exploration of human relationships as well as an excellent pony story.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
POOR BADGER
(DOUBLEDAY 1990)
ILLUSTRATED BY MARY LONSDALE
Reprinted in paperback by Corgi.
Published in the USA by Delocorte in 1992.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Corgi paperback edition, USA edition.
SUMMARY: Ros falls in love with the piebald Badger. When she finds out his owners are ill treating him she decides to take matters into her own hands…
Read Review
LATE TO SMILE
(METHUEN 1992)
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition.
SUMMARY: Adult horse/pony book. A woman finds widowhood enables her to re-visit her first love of horses and horse-racing.
APPLE WON'T JUMP
(HAMISH HAMILTON 1992)
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Possibly reprinted in paperback.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition.
SUMMARY: Picture book. Charming colour illustrated tale for young readers about a pony who won't jump for his younger owner until one day he has a very good reason to!
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
THE WILD BOY AND QUEEN MOON
(DOUBLEDAY 1993)
Reprinted in paperback by Corgi.
EDITION PICTURED: Corgi paperback
SUMMARY: Horsy mystery tale. Sandy finds herself drawn to the strange dark haired boy and his beautiful grey mare, but when things start going missing at her parent's livery stable she begins to wonder if the boy is the culprit.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
THE PONY THAT WENT TO SEA
(HEINEMANN 1997)
ILLUSTRATED BY ANNA C. LEPLAR
Reprinted in paperback by Mammoth.
EDITION PICTURED: Paperback edition.
SUMMARY: Pony book for younger readers. Paddy, an old forgotten pony, is adopted by Tom and Emily. One stormy night, Paddy is taken aboard the houseboat where the children live. But in the night the boat breaks free - will Paddy be able to rescue them all?
WINDY WEBLEY
(CORGI PB 1997)
Paperback original
EDITION PICTURED: Corgi paperback.
SUMMARY: Light hearted pony book for young readers. Webley is a handsome black army horse but he has an extremely bad habit of emitting loud rude noises from his nether regions when he is bored!
BLIND BEAUTY
(SCHOLASTIC 1999)
Reprinted in paperback by Scholastic/Point in 2001 and later.
Reprinted in paperback by Puffin in 2005.
Published in the USA by Dutton.
Still in print.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Point paperback, Puffin paperback, latest Scholastic paperback.
SUMMARY: Tessa has an impossible dream: to ride her horse, Buffoon, in the Grand National. But who will support her plan to become a jockey? She's been repeatedly kicked out of boarding school, and her rich stepfather hates her. And could the sometimes clumsy, nearly blind Buffoon ever be expected to survive such a difficult racecourse?
PONYMAD VIEW: Fantastic intelligent and compassionate novel set in the racing world. Best for older children and adults. Voted the best racing story in our website and forum users poll.
PONYMAD RATING: GOLD TROPHY FOR OUTSTANDIING READ
Read/take part in a discussion of the book in our forum reading circle
THE SCRUFFY PONY
(CORGI PB 1999)
ILLUSTRATED BY ROBIN LAWRIE
Paperback original.
EDITION PICTURED: Corgi paperback.
SUMMARY: Well written pony book for the younger reader. When her father loses his job, Carrie must sell her beloved and expensive pony Red Robin and is heartbroken. A local farmer feels sorry for Carrie. He has rescued an ill-treated pony and thinks that looking after him will cheer Carrie up. But Carrie is resentful of the scruffy pony whom she calls Skinny Rabbit and only looks after him as she knows he would die otherwise. Eventually Rabbit gets well and Carrie starts to love him. When her father gets a new job he tells her he can now buy Red Robin back. But if he does it will mean losing Rabbit whom she now loves very much. What can she do?
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
THE PARADISE PONY
(CORGI PB 1999)
ILLUSTRATED BY ROBIN LAWRIE
Paperback original.
EDITION PICTURED: Corgi paperback.
SUMMARY: Fantasy pony story for younger readers. Two friends love their ponies but secretly wish their mounts were more talented so they could beat the snooty Shona on her expensive pony in the local show. Then a magical ghost pony appears who could be the answer to their dreams!
PONYMAD RATING: 3-4 HORSESHOES
PONY IN THE DARK
(CORGI PB 2001)
Paperback original.
EDITION PICTURED: Corgi paperback.
SUMMARY: Touching historical pony novel about a boy's devotion to a pit pony. Tom is devastated when his favourite Shetland pony Storm is sent to work down in the mines. Hankies may be needed for this one!
PONYMAD RATING: 4-5 HORSESHOES
Read review
STEALAWAY
(MACMILLAN 2001)
Reprinted in paperback by Macmillan/Pan.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, paperback edition.
SUMMARY: A ghostly pony story. Nicky moves to Scotland, where her mother, a horse trainer, works for Mr. Robson, a wealthy American who has just purchased his family's ancestral estate, Bloodybow Castle. But ghosts of the past are threatening Nicky, her friend Jed and the beautiful stallion Stealaway. Can the children, with the help of a mysterious white mare, lay the ghosts to rest?
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
PARADISE HOUSE
(SCHOLASTIC PB 2011)
In print.
SUMMARY: Historical pony story. When lonely Alice's pony bolts and crashes into a family of strangers, it changes her life forever. Before long, this lonely girl who has never known love has been befriended by the family and is allowed to wander freely in their stables, where they train racehorses. Alice forms a bond with Snatchcorn, a beautiful stallion, so dangerous that it is soon to be put down. Can she save his life by persuading his owner that he can be tamed?
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
Read/take part in a discussion of the book in our forum reading circle
Collectors Info:
Some of the titles were also published in the USA. Most of the books are easy to find in the UK and many can be found quite easily in the USA also, the titles which had American printings being the easiest. The books can be found elsewhere, but in many cases, not so easily.
The rarest of these titles are The Sound of Distant Cheering (it is easier to find in the Reader's Digest condensed edition) and Apple Won't Jump, although neither titles are usually very expensive.
Most of the later ones are fairly easy to come across and are in paperback form. The exceptions are the adult novels Late to Smile and The Sound of Distant Cheering which are a bit harder to get hold of.
Blind Beauty and Paradise House are still in print at the last update of this page (Feb 2013).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|