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Post by Claire on Jun 28, 2014 18:25:14 GMT 1
Hi all, as this is one of the categories in the summer reading programme thought we could start a thread to highlight some of these books and give people taking part some ideas of what to choose. Also I think its quite an interesting topic which I don't think we have not discussed on here before. Please post your suggestions, recommendations, etc. Also if you think an author's non=pony books are as good as his/her pony books, or vice versa or no difference?
Some suggestions for good reads:
Treasure to the East by Patricia Leitch (Haffy has recommended this one)
Primrose Cumming has written Owls Castle Farm and Spider Dog
Judith Berrisford has written two series about dogs, the Skipper and Taff seriesm which you will enjoy if you like her style. Also two books about cats which unfortunately are rare, which is a shame as I think The Cats of Winkle Bay is her best book of all.
Joanna Cannan has written a number of crime/detective novels for adults, tho I must say I read a couple and found them a bit slow - but other people have enjoyed them.
The PTs, in particular Christine, have also written lots of non-pony stories - I'm sure garej could give us some pointers as to the best ones.
Ruby Ferguson - A Paintbox for Pauline & Lady Rose and Mrs Memmary. Not read these but have had good recommendations.
Hilda Boden wrote a lot of non-pony books, including the popular Marlowe series.
Feel free to add your own suggestions. I'd be interested to find out more American and Australian titles too.
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Post by garej on Jun 28, 2014 20:42:40 GMT 1
I havent read many of the non pony PT works I am afraid. Most of them were written for younger readers. The main one I would recommend is Father Unknown (CPT), but that is definitely a teenage read, as it deals with sex and attempted suicide. If that doesnt sound your cup of tea, then I would avoid it.
The Boy Who Came To Stay (DPT) is a religious read, avoid if you dont like religion, though I found it ok except for the ending. Apart from the religious ending, it's more of a farming tale, as the main character (I have forgotten his name) goes to stay on a farm. It's somewhat horsey, because the main character gets taught to ride.
The Eastmans Go To Brittany (CPT) is a general holiday read, but be warned it is very dated, because it makes references to cars which were fashionable in the 1960s, and would be completely lost to the modern reader. I havent read the other two Eastmans books.
Robbers In the Night is a read about a boy who comes from the Jamaica to the UK. It's about his attempts to fit in, of which he does something terrible, and his way to try and fix it. Be warned if you are easily offended, it contains racist language (which would be acceptable in 1960s Britain). If you have watched Love Thy Neighbour and can sit through it without turning it off, then you can probably get through this.
No-one at home is about a young family's journey across London to see their granny, it's a bit dated because children wouldnt probably be allowed to go on their own. Also in some parts it's a bit dated because there are references to "express trains" and "slow trains" (all our trains travel at a set speed).
Giles series, well it's about a boy who lives near a zoo, who loves animals. In Giles and the Elephant, his adventures in the zoo. In Giles and the Greyhound, he gets an new dog and has an adventure. In Giles and the Canal, he has an adventure on holiday with his dog, on a canal.
The Jessie series are about a dog, and although I dont remember much, it was a good story for dog lovers.
The other books I havent read I am afraid, but if anyone is really interested in a title I can copy out the blurb (with the exception of The Battle of Clapham Common because I havent got a dj).
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Post by garej on Jun 28, 2014 21:07:37 GMT 1
Ok I have checked out the Pullein-Thompson archive lists of draft posts and I have found some blurbs.
Homeless Katie Where were they to live? There seemed to be no answer to that anguished question. There was nowhere for Jean, Jim, Kate, William and their mother and father; only the old, large car.
So they set off, with spirit but little hope in their hearts - homeless Katie and the rest of the family.
And, by chance, at last, they came to an old derelict cottage, as lost and neglected as they felt themselves to be.
The Road Through The Hills
Hamish and Janet live deep in the Scottish Highlands, where nothing has changed for hundreds of years. Then a road is built, bringing to their remote glen a threat to their quiet lives - or is it a blessing?
Dear Pup: Letters To a Young Dog "Dear Pup,
If you had a taste for heroics, a loud voice and threatening stance and a strong, well-muscled boy, I would say, 'Yes, be a guard dog.' But you're not like that, are you, deep down? It's a puppy fantasy. You are like me, clever, insecure, affectionate, demanding and possessive. You want to OWN someone and to have a nice house and garden. You want gourmet meals, lot of friends and teas out of porcelain saucers when you feel like it, and holidays in wonderful places like Mull."
So beigns this funny and delightful sequence of letters from an older dog to a young friend. Drawing on her own experience and psychological insight, Suki advises on every aspect of a modern dog's life and, in particular, on how to train human owners to provide the enjoyments and comforts essential to complete canine contentment.
This is a book that will enchant all dog-lovers from nine to ninety.
Diana Farr, daughter of the novelist Joanna Cannan was born in Wimbledon where her mother bred Sealyhams, and grew up in Oxfordshire. She has written 29 children's books, and under married name, an adult novel and two biographies. She now lives in Chiswick with her husband, art historian, Dennis Farr, and Suki.
Born in Birmingham of mixed parentage in 1974, Suki was bought by Diana for £4.50 from a home for lost and abandoned dogs. Self-educated in Solihull, Suki has travelled widely throughout Britain. Among her many London friends are Tato, the butterfly pekonise whose portrait inspired the symbol for Year Of The Dog 1983, and Roly, star of Eastenders. Suki's favourite pasttimes are chasing rabbits, organising game, visiting human and canine friends, tame-mouse-watching and looking around other people's houses.
Choosing (DPT as Diana Farr) Emerging from self-imposed exile, coaxed back into the mainstream of artistic creativity by the unlooked-for attentions of James, a budding young art historian eager for her reminiscenes, Christabelle Lang relives memories of her life as an artist during Bloomsbury's early days between the wars.
She was, her friends said, 'a girl from nowhere', and inevitably her place in the world and society was dependent on one certainty nutured in childhood: her artistic talent. Helping James with his research, Christabelle now recognises how her struggle for perfection as a painter clashed irreconcilably both with the needs of a lonely and passionate woman and her role as a mother. Her first lover failed to understand an artist's over-riding obsession with work; her second understood too well. Memories of her tempestuous affair with ebullient and egocentric Barney Copeland recur, its unforseeable legacies still torment, as the old woman believes she is being enticed back to a life long since left behind, only to dwell once more in Barney's shadow. Even so, the urge to paint returns irrestibly, past paradoxes being to explain themselves, and while death must be near, Christabelle has never felt more alive.
Diana Farr's novel is a compassionate study of youth and age, of the creative spirit thriving in a period fraught, particularly for women, with difficulties, pioneering change and re-evaluation. Above all, it is the story of a woman who independent intelligence and will to succeed triumph over all manner of adversity.
The Boys From the Cafe
Sid's Cafe was their home - a home whith had always lacked adventure until one day Maurice and Dickie began to notice strange happenings...Dad seemed tired and worried...fewer drivers stopped for cups of tea...two lorries disappeared from the park outside the cafe...policemen instead of lorry drivers dropped in..and even their friend Cathy seemed to think something was amiss.
Then one day a strange van drew up outside the cafe and Dickie and Maurice found themselves caught up in an adventure both dangerous and exciting. But at the end of the adventure Dad was no longer a worried man...
No-One at home
No-one was at home when the three Emmet children came home from school that day. Wherever was Mum? What should they do without her? Mark took charge and they set off to go to Granny's. But the journey across London wasn't quite as simple as they expected. And when they did finally reach her home, she wasn't there either.
Giles and the Greyhound
GILES lives with his parents and his baby brother, Stephen, in a house near a zoo.
He loves all animals and is always happy visiting the zoo or playing with his kitten, Shadow.
Then, one day, his happiness is completed, when Mr. Drew, the father of his friend Anne, makes him a present of a greyhound pup. The pup is undersized but Giles loves him and knows one day he will be proud of him.
Giles names the puppy Vagabond and cares for him tenderly. They have lots of adventures together, on holiday and at home, but the question is whether Vagabond will turn out to be the champion that Giles always hoped he would be.
A Home for Jessie
"You know we can't keep a dog," said Matt's father, looking sternly down as the small bundle of black puppy Matt has rescued from drowning slept so peacefully in a box by the stove. "I've told you time and time against we can't take a dog when we move to America. Find her another home. A week, ten days, she must be gone."
But Matt couldn't obey. The bond was already too strong. He named the puppy Jessie, and secretly sabotaged every plan his mother made to find her a new home. Just a week or two more, he kept on thinking as the round, little black Labrador grew rapidly into the perfectly understanding companion he had longed for through all his family's moves and all his changes of school. All he dreamed of now was the chance to put down roots at last, and to keep Jessie with him for ever and ever.
But Matt's father was an impatient man, and the stolen weeks with Jessie were rushing faster and faster by. Christmas was coming, a Christmas which was to bring parting from Jessie, and a whole sad year of desperate hardship for her as she set out alone on the long dangerous journey to find her lost happiness...
Christine Pullein-Thompson has spun animal stories to generations of children. Dog-lovers everywhere will thrill to this new book about Jessie's trek, and though times the story is full of sadness the happiness, when it comes, is equally unforgettable.
Across the Frontier
When Ion's uncle and cousins come from England to visit the East European village when Ion lives with his grandmother, he soon faces a dilemma. His Uncle Fanel wants to take him back to England disguised as one of his own children. But if Ion leaves, who will look after his grandmother?
Christine Pullein-Thompson's moving and exciting story shows her deep understanding of life in a Communist country based on her own personal connections.
The Long Search
This sequel to Across the Frontier takes Ion through the turbulent winter of 1989. Ion's village is under threat of demolition and his grandmother is ill. Desperate for news of his parents, who have been political prisoners for many years, Ion resolves to go in search of them. But in the nearby city a revolution has already started and Ion is soon caught up in momentous events.
Christine Pullein-Thompson's exciting and poignant story vividly evokes the turmoil of revolution. Across the Frontier was praised by the Independent: 'Her crisp, simple writing illuminates both the unbelievably basic realities of Eastern European rural life, and the hope raised by the new political situation.'
Please Save Jessie
Matt and Jessie were happy in their new home, until Jessie was accused of being a criminal. Matt couldn't believe it. It wasn't like Jessie to do anything wrong. Matt knew he had to do something - and fast!
But what could he do to save Jessie from her worst fate? All Matt wanted was for someone to Please Save Jessie
A Day to Remember
It wasn't fair, thought James. Everything that day had gone wrong. The visit to the fairground with his sister, his ride on the bumper cars when they had disappeared, and finally Dad not taking him to the fireworks...
Then as suddenly as the bursting of a rocket Dad was home and all was changed. And for the best of reasons it became for James a day - and a night - to remember.
Smoke in the Hills
When old Morag McDonald's chimney caught fire Hamish and Janet were there to help her. Old Morag rewarded the two children in a very special way when she gave them both the most precious things she possessed - and the MacNeil family learned some surprising things about the old lady from the glen.
The Stolen Car
Laurence had not much cared for the shiny new care of which his father was proud. When it disappeared, however, even he realised that it had to be found. And with the help of Lucas and Jessie, and Smudge the dog, and a missing model of Studebaker, that was just exactly what he did.
Giles and the Elephant
Giles loves all kinds of babies, baby elephants, baby kittens, baby bears, fawns in the zoo - but not what the grown-ups call real babies. When his mother comes home from the hospital he is delighted to see her back again but really can't understand whey everyone insists on making so much fuss of the baby brother, Stephen, she brings home with her.
But, of course, Giles find his own amusement, with his sketch-book at the local zoo - when he can manage to get in - and has quite a lot of adventures of his own.
Even the baby proves to be quite nice once Giles has become the local hero and has found a two-legged and a four-legged friend all his own.
Robbers in the Night
Paul's family had come from Jamaica with it's blazing sun, laughter and no hope of work, to an English town where there was a job for Paul's father, but nearly so much laughter or sunshine. All the same, Paul's family was the kind that soon makes friends and it was his mother's concern for lonely old Miss Conway that sparked off a problem which was to grow bigger and bigger until Paul did not know which way to turn.
For where did his loyalties lie? With the gang of big boys he had always admired but whose activities became steadily more sinister, or with helpless Miss Conway who had always been so kind to him?
Careless Ben
In this sequel to STAY AT HOME BEN, Ben is going to the seaside with his family and Skip, the dog he shares with his neighbour. But Skip goes missing and Ben realises he has not looked after Skip carefully enough.
Dog in a Pram
Robert's first idea came to him in the park. Toby was chasing his tail in mad circles, yapping wildly at old Mrs. James's frantic shouts as though they were both playing the same game.
"Dogs have to know who's master..."
The second idea stemmed from Dad's firm words later that evening, when Robert's disappointment was beginning to wear off. If he wasn't to be allowed a dog of his own, what was there to stop him from training Mrs. James's Toby instead?
Nothing - until Robert had to break his promise to Mrs. James, and then - everything. During that fatal weekend things went for Mrs. James and Toby; for Robert, too, even after he had come to their rescue in the nick of time.
The Big Storm
Annie and Martin had never experienced anything so terrifying as the big storm - but even the fierce wind and falling trees could not stop Martin from attempting a very daring rescue!
Bindi Must Go
Bindi was a brindle bitch and the dearest companion of young Martin Oakes. Everyone who has ever had a pet, or wanted one, will sympathize with Martin's predicament, when he finds he has to choose between his dog and ... but to say more would give away the story. It is thanks to Martin's pluck in standing in Bindi, the dog he loves, that the problem is resolved - and in the most unexpected way!
The Secret Dog
COCKNEY MARK and Darkie, a Jamaican boy, rescued the mongrel puppy from the London Canal where she had been left to drown by her hard-hearted owner. They called her Tuppence, and for many weeks she was a secret dog, because neither Mark or Darkie could take her home. Mark's father would not allow a dog in the house, and Darkie's family had no place for Tuppence in their overcrowded rooms. So they kept her first in a disused hut, and then in an outhouse belonging to the nearby Clergy House. But looking after Tuppence was not the only problem that Mark and Darkie had; they also ran up against a gang of teddy boys, and in the end helped bring them to justice. This is a realistic story of London today, set amongst the little streets that lie in the background of the great metropolis.
The Eastmans Find a boy
THE TWINS, Paul and Williams, are a little tired of always being told how useless and inefficient they are. Nevertheless, when they are put to the test - travelling on a train by themselves, entrusted with their own suitcase and some money - they don't fare too well.
They go to stay with the Bolts (some relations of their father) and they soon find that life with the Bolts is very different from life at home. They are wide-eyed with admiration for Ethel who is such a help to her mother and who cooks and shops so capably; they are amazed when they find that Clive is allowed so much freedom; and, best of all, they are delighted at the freedom which they themselves are allowed in the Bolt household.
When disaster strikes, and it centres round four-year-old Geof, the Eastmans suddenly find that they are not so useless at all. They triumph and then return to their parents, feeling older and wiser, but even more cheerful than ever.
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Post by Claire on Jun 28, 2014 22:05:12 GMT 1
Wow thanks for that garej. Its very interesting. They did a lot of non-pony stuff!
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Post by garej on Jun 29, 2014 0:11:21 GMT 1
No problem Claire. The availability of the non pony PT books seems to vary, with the Jessie books relatively common, to the almost hard to find (Giles and the Canal with dj, any copy of The Battle of Clapham Common). As a consequence the prices vary, but most can be found for under a tenner, excluding postage on abebooks.
Just a note I cant do the following blurbs: The Hidden River, Granny Comes to Stay, The Lost Cow and The Gipsy Children because they were released as laminated boards so consequently there's no dj. Plus as previously mentioned I also cant do The Battle of Clapham Common due to lack of dj.
Oh if anyone's confused which books are pony and non pony, here's the following list, which may prove helpful.
Josephine Pullein-Thompson:
None of her children's books, but the following is non pony: A Place with Two Faces (written under the pseudonym of Josephine Mann). The adult books Gin and Murder (1959), Murder Strikes Pink (1963) are set against horsey backgrounds. They Died In The Spring (1960) I am not sure of, as I have yet to read it but from the blurb, it doesnt sound horsey.
Diana Pullein-Thompson
The Secret Dog (1958), The Boy Who Came To Stay (1960), The Hidden River (1960), Bindi Must Go (1962) and The Battle Of Clapham Common (1962), Dear Pup: Letters To A Young Dog (1988) are all non pony books. Also the following books, Five at 10: Prime Ministers' Consorts Since 1957 (1985), Gilbert Cannan; A Georgian Prodigy (1978) and Choosing (1988) have been published under her married name (Diana Farr). Five at Ten and Gilbert Cannan are all non fiction, Choosing being the only one that is fiction.
Christine Pullein-Thompson
Giles And The Elephant (1960), Giles And The Greyhound (1961), Bandits In The Hills (1962), Giles And The Canal (1962), The Gipsy Children (1962), The Eastmans In Brittany (1964), Granny Comes To Stay (1964),No-One At Home (1964), Homeless Katie (1964), The Boys From The Cafe (1965), The Eastmans Move House (1965),A Dog In A Pram (1965), The Eastmans Find A Boy (1966), The Stolen Car (1966), A Day To Remember (1966), The Lost Cow (1966), Robbers In The Night (1967), Room To Let (1968), Nigel Eats His Words (1969), Father Unknown (1981), A Home For Jessie (1986), Please Save Jessie (1987), Stay At Home, Ben (1987), Careless Ben (1988), The Big Storm (1988), The Road Through The Hills (1988), Smoke In The Hills (1989), Across The Frontier (1990), Runaway Ben (1990), Come Home, Jessie (1991) and The Long Search (1991) are all non pony books.
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Post by Charlotte on Jun 29, 2014 20:13:14 GMT 1
This is interesting. I've got The Eastmans in Brittany, will read it sometime. Any more examples, of the reverse, pony books by non-pony authors?
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Post by susanb on Jun 29, 2014 21:29:54 GMT 1
Charlotte, re pony books by non-pony book authors, a couple come to mind: Mystery of the Crimson Ghost by Phyllis Whitney www.phyllisawhitney.com/The%20Mystery%20of%20the%20Crimson%20Ghost.htmAmelia Elizabeth Walden was a prolific writer of girls books, but wrote only two horse books: Three Loves Has Sandy and Palomino Girl Lee Wyndham wrote a variety of childrens books, best known for ballet, but penned two books that had horses....well, more or less: Susie and the Ballet Horse (a Lippizan) and The Lost Birthday Present (a donkey). The most popular of the pony books by non-pony book authors would have to be The Horsemasters by Don Stanford. He did a number of boys books, but this is the only equine oriented one. It came out in multiple editions, both in the US and UK, but is sadly rare in any edition. Mystery of the Crimson Ghost can be had very cheaply in paperback in the UK, Three Loves Has Sandy is cheap in paperback in the US and Canada, but not anywhere else.
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Post by darkhorse on Jun 30, 2014 22:35:45 GMT 1
I didn't realise the Pullein-Thompsons had written so many non-pony books! I think I may have one of the Jessie ones somewhere in which case I'll use that as either my non-pony or animal selection. Didn't Gillian Baxter write a non-pony one about acting or something similar? Has anyone read that one?
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Post by susanb on Jul 1, 2014 1:45:11 GMT 1
yes, darkhorse, the book you're thinking of is Knightsgate Players....students at a school that combines regular studies and theatrical education are challenged by their teacher to take a play one of them has written "on the road" over the summer holidays, to face the challenge that a real rep company must deal with. He sets the fixtures, and they have to make costumes, scenery, etc and get themselves to each venue...and they don't know anything about what will await them when they get there! A real stage, a community hall, an outdoor venue, etc. Baxter did manage to shoehorn in one horse....the one pulling the caravan with all their props and costumes. I liked it a lot, and it's not terribly expensive. (Full disclosure, I do like theatre books as well as pony books, so I was predisposed to like it!) www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=knightsgate+players
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2014 7:10:48 GMT 1
I didn't realise the Pullein-Thompsons had written so many non-pony books! Neither did I! A great list thanks Garej
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Post by Claire on Jul 1, 2014 18:17:07 GMT 1
yes, darkhorse, the book you're thinking of is Knightsgate Players....students at a school that combines regular studies and theatrical education are challenged by their teacher to take a play one of them has written "on the road" over the summer holidays, to face the challenge that a real rep company must deal with. He sets the fixtures, and they have to make costumes, scenery, etc and get themselves to each venue...and they don't know anything about what will await them when they get there! A real stage, a community hall, an outdoor venue, etc. Baxter did manage to shoehorn in one horse....the one pulling the caravan with all their props and costumes. I liked it a lot, and it's not terribly expensive. (Full disclosure, I do like theatre books as well as pony books, so I was predisposed to like it!) www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=knightsgate+playersThanks for the info susan. I forgot about that one. I also like books about the stage/performing arts, especially the Noel Streatfield ones, so I'd probably enjoy it but I'm in the same boat as darkhorse and trying to keep expenditure low so I'll have to leave that one for another day.
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 1, 2014 22:43:54 GMT 1
Yes thanks garej and susan for the lists.
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Post by susanb on Jul 2, 2014 15:53:02 GMT 1
I thought of another pony book by a non-pony book author (can't believe it didn't come to mind right away)...the wonderful Pony Problem by Barbara Holland (Marion Holland's daughter). Can be had cheaply in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Germany, but for some strange reason, not the UK
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