One of the few modern male pony book writers. Born in London in 1952. He actually started out as an artist and illustrator (the first pony book he illustrated was The Best Pony For Me). Upon moving to Exmoor, he found inspiration for writing about ponies, as well as drawing them, and began the Sheltie series.
His books are all aimed at a fairly young readership, although they are far more traditional than some of the glittery pony books on offer at the moment! He allso wrote a book about drawing horses and ponies.
Sheltie Series: Long running series about a Shetland pony named Sheltie and his owner Emma. Aimed at the youngest end of the pony book market (ages 6-8)
These are all traditional/adventure type pony stories.
ALL ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
1) SHELTIE (PUFFIN PB 1996)
2) SHELTIE SAVES THE DAY (PUFFIN PB 1996)
3) SHELTIE AND THE RUNAWAY (PUFFIN PB 1996)
4) SHELTIE FINDS A FRIEND (PUFFN PB 1997)
5) SHELTIE TO THE RESCUE (PUFFIN PB 1997)
6) SHELTIE IN DANGER (PUFFIN PB)
7) SHELTIE RIDES TO WIN (PUFFIN PB 1998)
8) SHELTIE & THE SADDLE MYSTERY (PUFFIN PB 1998)
9) SHELTIE LEADS THE WAY (PUFFIN PB 1998)
10) SHELTIE THE HERO (PUFFIN PB 1998)
11) SHELTIE IN TROUBLE (PUFFIN PB 1998)
12) SHELTIE AND THE STRAY (PUFFIN PB 1998)
13) SHELTIE AND THE SNOW PONY (PUFFIN PB)
14) SHELTIE ON PARADE (PUFFIN PB)
15) SHELTIE FOR EVER (PUFFIN PB 1999)
16) SHELTIE ON PATROL (PUFFIN PB 1999)
17) SHELTIE GOES TO SCHOOL (PUFFIN PB 1999)
18) SHELTIE GALLOPS AHEAD (PUFFIN PB 1999)
19) SHELTIE IN DOUBLE TROUBLE (PUFFIN PB 1999)
20) SHELTIE IN PERIL (PUFFIN PB)
21) SHELTIE BY THE SEA (PUFFIN PB 2000)
22) SHELTIE AND THE FOAL (PUFFIN PB 2000)
23) SHELTIE RACES ON (PUFFIN PB 2000)
24) SHELTIE AT THE FUNFAIR (PUFFIN PB 2001)
Sheltie Specials:
THE BIG SURPRISE
THE BIG ADVENTURE
THE STAR OF THE SHOW
THE BIG PRESENT (PUFFIN 1999)
THE BIG DISCOVERY (PUFFIN 2000)
THE BIG WISH (PUFFIN 2000)
These are also available in a number of 2 in 1 editions although lack of time/space prevents me naming and picturing them!
Collectors Info: All paperbacks. Most of these are still in print and can be bought new. Boxed sets of various Sheltie books can also be bought although the cheapest way to get hold of them will be in sets on ebay.
Rescue Riders: Set at a slightly older readership than the Sheltie series. Charlotte, Hannah and Jade find themselves in exciting adventures as they ride to the rescue on their ponies
1) RACE AGAINST TIME (HODDER PB 1998) SUMMARY: Disaster strikes while Hannah is on an activity holiday with her family. Can she conquer her fears and ride for help on a strange horse?
2) FIRE ALERT (HODDER PB 1998) SUMMARY: Charlotte's pony accidentally starts a fire at an isolated building and it is up to the girls to ride for help.
3) GHOST PONY (HODDER PB 1998) SUMMARY: The girls set off to search for a ghost pony on the moors, but instead find a real life pony in need of their help.
Collectors Info: All paperbacks. The series has been recently reprinted in an extremely dull-looking edition with not only no pony on the front but no picture at all (why??) so the older paperback editions will be preferable.
Donkey Diaries Series: Donkey series for younger readers set on a donkey sanctuary, where Danni and her friend Tim have lots of fun helping out.
I am unsure of the reading order of these, so they are in no particular order.
DONKEY DRAMA (OXFORD UNIV PRESS 2001) SUMMARY: The rescue of a blind donkey leads to publicity for the centre when he stars in a play
DONKEY DISASTER (OXFORD UNIV PRESS 2001) SUMMARY: Can a guest at the sanctuary hep save the donkeys from a factory planned to be built next door?
DONKEY DANGER (OXFORD UNIV PRESS 2001) SUMMARY: Danni takes part in a sponsored point-to-point with her racing donkey Shadow. Whilst there she hears about a mysterious man buying up all the local donkeys. She determines to find out what is going on.
DONKEY IN DISTRESS (OXFORD UNIV PRESS 2002) SUMMARY: Danni and Tim help to hand-rear an orphan donkey foal.
Collectors Info: Paperbacks. Very easy to find. Still in print.
Other Pony Books:
STORM PONY (CORGI PB 2000) ILLUSTRATED BY ROBIN LAWRIE SUMMARY: Heather longs to ride her pony Caspar across the dangerous causeway, but she is forbidden to do so by her parents. Then one day when her grandfather is in trouble, she must ignore the warnings and race her horse across to beat the tide. For younger readers, although slightly older than the Sheltie books.
PHANTOM PONY (CORGI PB 1999) ILLUSTRATED BY ROBIN LAWRIE SUMMARY: Alice dreams of having a pony of her own and is overjoyed when she finds the beautiful grey pony Bella, but is the pony real or just a figment of her imagination? For younger readers, although slightly older than the Sheltie books.
OSCAR'S NEW FRIENDS (LITTLE BRIDGE FARM) (SCHOLASTIC 2007) Part of the Little Bridge Farm series about a number of different young animals. Click here for more info on the whole series. SUMMARY: Oscar the foal must start a new life and make new friends...
Collectors Info: All paperbacks. The Storm Pony and The Phantom Pony are I think not in print at the moment but are reasonably easy to find second hand. Oscar's New Friends is still in print and easy to find
