I’m working on a proposal for a book about many animals (and some people) I have known. Part memoir/part profiles of famous people and their animals and famous animals and their people.
I’ve been thinking about my earliest childhood memories and I keep recalling all the books that I have read and loved. The only books I read, as a child, were about animals. I read all the classic animal books – Lassie Come Home, My Friend Flicka, White Fang, Lad, A Dog, all the Black Stallion books – and, working on this proposal, I suddenly had a desire to read these books again.
So I wandered into my town library. I live in a town with a rather small but very useful library. The children/young adult section is tiny, and when I entered it, I doubted very much that they would have room to stock those relics from the 1930s and 40s with all the Harry Potter and Twilight books. But I was wrong! There they were! There they all were! Most were in their original jackets and my hands were actually shaking as I pulled them from the shelves.
The librarian – a lovely woman who seemed to be about my age (but I think everybody is about my age and they’re usually about 20 years younger) had also read all these books as a child and we were both gasping as we reminded each other of the characters and storylines. “Remember how Alec Ramsey got the Black Stallion onto the boat?” “Remember how poor Lassie dragged herself to Joe’s school?” “Remember Merrylegs and Ginger?”
So, I’ve spent the better part of the last 24 hours curled up with all my old friends – Alec Ramsey, Ken McLaughlin, The Black, Flicka, Lassie, Lad, Beauty. And, or course, Sounder.
Why were all the main human characters in these books boys and men? Why didn’t I care?
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I completely missed out reading any of these dog and horse stories as a kid!? I restricted myself to large animals in far off African preserves and I had big plans to escape to Serengeti National Park when I was age-appropriate or possible sooner. Could we put one of these on the night stand? I did read all of Nancy Drew…
Just the mention of Merrylegs and Ginger totally brought me back! Oh, yay!
I also loved Misty of Chincoteague (although really, it’s Assateague now I think). It was a dream come true when I was hired to train a Chincoteague stallion in Southbury. “Assateague’s Dream Weaver.” Little he might have been, but he was mighty. We were jumping 3′9” fences, and he was maybe 14.2-14.3 hands. And he was a breeze with dressage, how refreshing after my hyper Thoroughbreds! They are wonderful horses. He was the calmest stallion I’ve ever worked with. Now I have to go read the book again. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Ann! Those books kept me sane in between my riding lessons.
Hi Ann!
I have a book for you. Piper read it in second grade and it’s right up our alley! I read it too and loved it. It’s called Anna’s Blizzard, by Alison Hart. It’s historical fiction about a GIRL. Yes an awkward girl who’s best friend is her horse, Top Hat in a Nebraska prairie in the 1800’s. Anyway, Anna and her horse save her entire school from freezing to death during a huge blizzard. It’s a thrill a minute.
Enjoy!
Amye
xo
Sandy, I’ll go back and look for that comment, I hate it when that happens. Sorry. And must find Beautiful Joe. Off to ebay.
I had sent a post on this yesterday – I guess it didn’t get through. The book I loved, but also cried over was “Beautiful Joe, A Dogs Own Story” by Marshall Saunders. Published in 1893, it is a haunting story that unfortunately still applies these days.
I think I need to get on Ebay and see if I can find some of these timeless classics to once again fill my bookshelves with. Right beside all my horse statues that I have collected since childhood.
I’m not sure you’re right about the intended audience,Al. These books were published during my parents’ childhoods and earlier and especially the Black Stallion books involve adventures abroad and are centered around the world of horse-racing. These books were intended to be read by boys and girls, but in those days, girls didn’t take steamer ships to India or hang out at racetracks. The other books shared a theme of a sensitive, misunderstood boy who forms a close bond with his dog or horse. I just think, in the era in which they were written, boys were considered more interesting as central characters. The books are very well written, but were old by the time we were kids and I think, by then, only horsey girls wanted to read them.
Ann observed: Why were all the main human characters in these books boys and men?
Interesting question, especially in light of my hunch that the intended audience for many of the books that Ann mentions was primarily young girls rather than young boys (except perhaps the books written by Jack London). I don’t recall reading any of these books when I was growing up – or even having much interest in doing so. Lots of Hardy Boys’ mysteries though. And Mad Magazine. And later on, all the James Bond spy novels.
Ladies, ask your husbands (and your other male friends) which of your favorite books listed in Ann’s post they read when they were youngsters; I wouldn’t be surprised if the most common response is “none of them.”
I was going to say also Where The Red Fern Grows, but someone beat me to it.
Am also curious as to why all the protaganists are male. Probably the same reason why all the Disney heroins have single dads and dead moms.
How about Charlie the Lonesome Cougar or The Call of the Wild?
Speaking of old books in their original jackets, I got A Tree Grows in Brooklyn from the library last week; someone on the blog mentioned it a month or so ago. I don’t know if I ever read it. This copy of the book is actually from 1947! The binding is falling apart a little, but I have a feeling of reverence every time I pick it up. This actual book is more than 60 years old, and is still in circulation, isn’t that wonderful?
I am loving the book. It’s so beautifully written. Even though they’re so poor, the descriptions are so rich. Francie is such a wonderful heroine. I just wish I had more time to really sit and read.
So thank you to whoever recommended it. I think I’ll have to find the movie after I’m done.
What wonderful memories you brought up. And Lauren, I too loved the Misty books.
Figures, I just posted on the last post about my training at the therapeutic riding center, and then find a new blog post! So everyone mosey on over to the previous post and read about my wonderful morning at the stable today!
I remember a book that I loved, but cried my eyes out over – Beautiful Joe, A Dogs Own Story, by Marshall Saunders. I think I am going to check Ebay for some of the classics. What wonderful treasures to have on your book shelves.
Some sheep pellets and a little corn and they are happy campers……Gives me an idea though, maybe I’ll set up a picnic table someplace and join them!
Yep – that is pretty much breakfast at our home too! When I step outside in the mornings (and evenings), we have abour 20-30 deer lounging in the yard, waiting to be served
Lassie and Lad are such majestic dogs, the book covers make you want to read the books. I have to share that last night I watched “Riding in Cars with Boys”. It is with Drew Barrymore, James Wood, and Lorraine Bracco. I was pleasantly surprised just how much I liked this movie. All you moms/dads with teenage girls need to watch this movie with your girls, really sends a seriuos message about teenage pregancy and how it changes the direction of life, college, etc. Off to the Kane County flea market, love to look at junk.
What a great clip! I found myself quickly counting the plates and counting the deer to see if there was enough for everyone. There wasn’t, but they seemed okay with stepping away when they were finished so others could take their turns!
what about all of those books about Blaze, for younger kids? I loved those. Blaze and the Forest Fire was one.
Helena
I know the feeling of getting your hands on books you read as a child. I was not into animal books like you, but I loved Nancy Drew. In recent years my daughter has found and has given me old editions and I am in heaven! I wish I hadn’t given away my copies years ago.
Remember Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I remember Charlotte spun the words “Some Pig” into her web. I was so happy when one of her offsprings decided to take up residence in the barn with Wilbur.
Stuart Little was good too.
Gloria
I also think Lavinia Davis lived on a farm in Connecticut. Her books were a cross between Black Stallion and Nancy Drew. THis is an exciting project.
Don’t forget “Hobby Horse Hill” by Lavinia Davis. I’m pretty sure there were girls in the story. I loved this book. Didn’t the black stallion have a counterpart named Flame? I remember playing these animal characters when I was young, then moving on to the large plastic horses, then a few friends got the real thing.
I was going to say the Yearling, but you remembered.
National Velvet – a childhood classic has a female lead as its main character.
Did they have MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE and STORMY, MISTY’S FOAL?
I forgot one, Marjorie Kinnan Rawling’s Pulitzer prize winner, “The Yearling.”
This made me think of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbkon1rmGss
Ann
I have one too add to the list, Where the Red Fern Grows. And why were all these books such tear jerkers? I could read them for hours.These books were such good friends!
Amy