Ready to Ride Series - Books One, Two and Three.
In 2007 I had a series of three Christian youth books published by Pacific Press for a series I called "Ready to Ride" (R2R) The stories feature three friends; Megan, Kendra and Ruth-Ann and their ponies Star, Blondie and Zipper.
Book #1 in the series is "A Perfect Star". In this book the three friends form a riding club, and begin working towards their goals. But when Kendra receives an English saddle in the mail from her Aunt, she soon discovers that her goal of teaching Star to become an accomplished jumper isn't going to happen without some serious help!
This book's pony hero, Star, is a spin-off my daughter, Kaitlin's, first pony, a white Welsh mare we called Mandy. It was easy to write, because I knew Mandy first hand, and I also knew the thoughts and ideas that go through girl's heads as they dream of becoming stars in their own right!
Book #2 is "Zippity Do Dah", featuring Ruth-Ann's sorrel and white Paint gelding, Zipper - who is a perfect replica of the first Paint horse I've ever owned, a friendly but pesty gelding named Jessie! In this story Ruth-Ann and the other girls prepare their ponies to give rides at the church's Fun Fair, only to discover that things don't always go the way you expect when horses are involved!
Book #3 is "Good as Gold". In this story the girls and their ponies have been practicing with their trainer, Trish, and now plan to compete at their first real horse show. But suddenly they realize they will have to compete against each other - how will that work?! Someone is going to win, and someone is going to lose!
My main goals when writing this series were two-fold. First, when my daughters were younger they enjoyed Scholastics series "Pony Pals". I wanted to create a Christian version of Pony Pals, where real people with real, every-day problems could deal with things from a Christian perspective. The girls aren't perfect, because none of us are perfect. They get their noses out of joint, they get frustrated, and sometimes they even down-right dislike their horses! My second goal was to portray horses and ponies realistically. Books that portray animals as being adorable angels, never doing anything wrong and always cooperating with their owners are not only unrealistic, but they set kids up for frustration and disappointments. Yes, horses are WONDERFUL! But they come with their own strengths and weaknesses, just like we do. And we can still love them. Just like God can still love us, even when we have huge flaws and weaknesses.
Book #1 in the series is "A Perfect Star". In this book the three friends form a riding club, and begin working towards their goals. But when Kendra receives an English saddle in the mail from her Aunt, she soon discovers that her goal of teaching Star to become an accomplished jumper isn't going to happen without some serious help!
This book's pony hero, Star, is a spin-off my daughter, Kaitlin's, first pony, a white Welsh mare we called Mandy. It was easy to write, because I knew Mandy first hand, and I also knew the thoughts and ideas that go through girl's heads as they dream of becoming stars in their own right!
Book #2 is "Zippity Do Dah", featuring Ruth-Ann's sorrel and white Paint gelding, Zipper - who is a perfect replica of the first Paint horse I've ever owned, a friendly but pesty gelding named Jessie! In this story Ruth-Ann and the other girls prepare their ponies to give rides at the church's Fun Fair, only to discover that things don't always go the way you expect when horses are involved!
Book #3 is "Good as Gold". In this story the girls and their ponies have been practicing with their trainer, Trish, and now plan to compete at their first real horse show. But suddenly they realize they will have to compete against each other - how will that work?! Someone is going to win, and someone is going to lose!
My main goals when writing this series were two-fold. First, when my daughters were younger they enjoyed Scholastics series "Pony Pals". I wanted to create a Christian version of Pony Pals, where real people with real, every-day problems could deal with things from a Christian perspective. The girls aren't perfect, because none of us are perfect. They get their noses out of joint, they get frustrated, and sometimes they even down-right dislike their horses! My second goal was to portray horses and ponies realistically. Books that portray animals as being adorable angels, never doing anything wrong and always cooperating with their owners are not only unrealistic, but they set kids up for frustration and disappointments. Yes, horses are WONDERFUL! But they come with their own strengths and weaknesses, just like we do. And we can still love them. Just like God can still love us, even when we have huge flaws and weaknesses.
Ready to Ride Series - Book Four
Book number four, "Blondie's Big Ride" was published in 2008.
Riding instructor and friend, Trish, tells the girls that she won't be able to teach lessons because she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and will be going for surgery. The three girls decide to raise funds for breast cancer by getting pledges and riding at the Hardisty Cancer Trail Ride. But we all know that girls, a crowd of horses and a blustery day can cause problems, even when we're trying to serve God in the process!
Ten years ago my daughter, Kaitlin, and I rode our horses on the Hardisty Trail Ride, so I could write this story with some real experience. I was worried how my daughter would manage on her big Quarter Horse, Eeyore. Of course, as you guessed, my daughter's horse was perfect. It was mine that was a brat!
Riding instructor and friend, Trish, tells the girls that she won't be able to teach lessons because she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and will be going for surgery. The three girls decide to raise funds for breast cancer by getting pledges and riding at the Hardisty Cancer Trail Ride. But we all know that girls, a crowd of horses and a blustery day can cause problems, even when we're trying to serve God in the process!
Ten years ago my daughter, Kaitlin, and I rode our horses on the Hardisty Trail Ride, so I could write this story with some real experience. I was worried how my daughter would manage on her big Quarter Horse, Eeyore. Of course, as you guessed, my daughter's horse was perfect. It was mine that was a brat!
Ready to Ride Series - Book Five
Book #5 is "A Friend for Zipper" was also published in 2008.
Look carefully at the cover -perhaps you'll recognize my mare, Hailey, who was the model for this horsey character. Ruth-Ann's older sister, Kaitlin, has purchased a Paint pony to train and sell to raise money for her high school tuition. This allows Zipper to stay on the family farm and enjoy the company of another horse. The mare, a beautiful bald faced bay with one blue eye and one brown, is nicknamed Mystery. But something is wrong with the horse, and soon Kaitlin begins to get frustrated. Maybe she shouldn't have bought the mare.
I got the idea for this story (which features a deaf horse - not that uncommon in overo Paints) after shopping for Hailey in B.C. and meeting a deaf horse. Deaf horses can be fabulous companions and competitors, but it does take a bit of extra knowledge to deal with their handicap. And by the way, my Hailey hears just fine!
Look carefully at the cover -perhaps you'll recognize my mare, Hailey, who was the model for this horsey character. Ruth-Ann's older sister, Kaitlin, has purchased a Paint pony to train and sell to raise money for her high school tuition. This allows Zipper to stay on the family farm and enjoy the company of another horse. The mare, a beautiful bald faced bay with one blue eye and one brown, is nicknamed Mystery. But something is wrong with the horse, and soon Kaitlin begins to get frustrated. Maybe she shouldn't have bought the mare.
I got the idea for this story (which features a deaf horse - not that uncommon in overo Paints) after shopping for Hailey in B.C. and meeting a deaf horse. Deaf horses can be fabulous companions and competitors, but it does take a bit of extra knowledge to deal with their handicap. And by the way, my Hailey hears just fine!
Ready to Ride Series - Book Six (Probably the last!)
Book number six "Super Star Problems" was published in 2008, and features Kendra and Star. The pair has practiced daily for the upcoming Canada Day's gymkhana races, but the evening before the big races Star is injured. Kendra is a real person - maybe she should be grateful that Star's injuries weren't major, but that isn't the way she feels deep down inside. Instead she's mad that she has to miss the races, she's jealous of her friends, who are their competing with their ponies, and she also feels guilty for allowing her pony to get hurt. Can the friendship survive Kendra's bad attitude? And just how are Christians supposed to behave when we're disappointed or frustrated or just down-right cranky? Does God still love us when we're acting like jerks? And can we still love each other?
Prince; The Persnickety Pony
"Prince; the Persnickety Pony that didn't like grown-ups" was my first published book; it was released in 2000 to my great excitement and was part of Pacific Press's "Julius" animal series.
The story of Prince is my own personal "growing up with horses" story. As a child my family borrowed a black pony named Prince that we loved dearly, but he had some problems. For one thing, adults couldn't catch him. My book uses those experiences to talk about Janelle and her summer pony, Prince, who could be sweet one moment and stuborn and miserable the next. Sometimes Janelle thinks God is answering her prayers, and then sometimes she thinks He isn't. The big test comes when Prince must be returned to his home in the fall.
How did I get that first book published? By accident. I was writing regularly for one of Pacific Press's children's magazines called "Primary Treasurer". I actually submitted the first two chapters of Prince to Aileen Andres Sox, the magazine editor, with the idea that it could be a continuing magazine article for 10 weeks. Mrs. Sox knew Pacific Press was looking for one last children's story, and she urged me to write it - quickly - in time for their upcoming book reviews. I had no idea how to write a book, I actually submitted each chapter one at a time (which I would NEVER do now - how can you go back and change things as the story progresses?) and when it was all done they published it. One of the real thrills with this book was they also made a black stuffed horse with a red bandana that says "Prince" on it for sale with the book. I still own one of those stuffed horses, and of course a few copies of the book for future grandchildren!
The story of Prince is my own personal "growing up with horses" story. As a child my family borrowed a black pony named Prince that we loved dearly, but he had some problems. For one thing, adults couldn't catch him. My book uses those experiences to talk about Janelle and her summer pony, Prince, who could be sweet one moment and stuborn and miserable the next. Sometimes Janelle thinks God is answering her prayers, and then sometimes she thinks He isn't. The big test comes when Prince must be returned to his home in the fall.
How did I get that first book published? By accident. I was writing regularly for one of Pacific Press's children's magazines called "Primary Treasurer". I actually submitted the first two chapters of Prince to Aileen Andres Sox, the magazine editor, with the idea that it could be a continuing magazine article for 10 weeks. Mrs. Sox knew Pacific Press was looking for one last children's story, and she urged me to write it - quickly - in time for their upcoming book reviews. I had no idea how to write a book, I actually submitted each chapter one at a time (which I would NEVER do now - how can you go back and change things as the story progresses?) and when it was all done they published it. One of the real thrills with this book was they also made a black stuffed horse with a red bandana that says "Prince" on it for sale with the book. I still own one of those stuffed horses, and of course a few copies of the book for future grandchildren!
Prince Prances Again
It was so much fun writing "Prince, the Persnickety Pony" that I just HAD to write a sequel. Prince Prances Again came out in 2001.
Janelle now owns Prince, her beloved by mischievous pony. But a new girl has moved next door, and Katie also loves horses. Soon she wants to ride Prince all the time. She is bossy, annoying and doesn't know a thing about horses! Things go from bad to worse when Katie makes a serious mistake which not only gets her dumped on her head (good thing she was wearing a riding helmet) but also gets Prince's shoulder seriously cut.
How easy is it to forgive people, especially when they hurt something or someone we love? And what if they're the type of people that drive us crazy at the best of times?
I just finished re-reading this book, and do you know what? I still enjoy my characters. Prince is so real; he's loveable and furry and fun, and still manages to put his big feet on someone's toe, and spook at birds one minute and carry the flat in the Canada Day Parade the next. And my girls - they're real too. Janelle and Katie might get on each other's nerves, but they also enjoy having a horse-crazy friend - even if they do have to share pony time to make it work.
Janelle now owns Prince, her beloved by mischievous pony. But a new girl has moved next door, and Katie also loves horses. Soon she wants to ride Prince all the time. She is bossy, annoying and doesn't know a thing about horses! Things go from bad to worse when Katie makes a serious mistake which not only gets her dumped on her head (good thing she was wearing a riding helmet) but also gets Prince's shoulder seriously cut.
How easy is it to forgive people, especially when they hurt something or someone we love? And what if they're the type of people that drive us crazy at the best of times?
I just finished re-reading this book, and do you know what? I still enjoy my characters. Prince is so real; he's loveable and furry and fun, and still manages to put his big feet on someone's toe, and spook at birds one minute and carry the flat in the Canada Day Parade the next. And my girls - they're real too. Janelle and Katie might get on each other's nerves, but they also enjoy having a horse-crazy friend - even if they do have to share pony time to make it work.
Petunia the Ugly Pug
Attention, attention! Heather can write about something that isn't a horse!!! Petunia, the Ugly Pug was published in 2002 as part of Pacific Press's Julius animal series.
Before I had kids, I had my "practice kids" - two Pugs named Winky and Christa. This book is the story of my black pug, Christa, who I bought as an emaciated, sick, flea-ridden beast, and who ended up being the most devoted animal that walked the earth, not only being a great pet, but also going on to earn her CD and CDX at Canadian Kennel dog shows in obedience. (And let me tell you, Pugs are NOT the traditional dogs used in obedience!)
Nine-year-old Kyla had always wanted a dog of her own, but when she is attacked by fleas on the way home with Petunia, it's only the beginning of one adventure after another. Petunia has grown up in a kennel, and doesn't know anything about manners. She jumps up on the furniture, she growls at herself in the mirror, and she barks too much. She definitely is not the perfect pet.
This story talks about learning to love pets even if they have flaws and problems. And it also talks about being creative to find ways to solve those annoying problems!
Christa, I still miss you, even though you've been gone for almost 15 years. I dare say there were few things in this world that loved me more than you did.
Update! In September 2012 I was approached by an Argentinan Adventist Publishing House to have Petunia second-published in Spanish!
Before I had kids, I had my "practice kids" - two Pugs named Winky and Christa. This book is the story of my black pug, Christa, who I bought as an emaciated, sick, flea-ridden beast, and who ended up being the most devoted animal that walked the earth, not only being a great pet, but also going on to earn her CD and CDX at Canadian Kennel dog shows in obedience. (And let me tell you, Pugs are NOT the traditional dogs used in obedience!)
Nine-year-old Kyla had always wanted a dog of her own, but when she is attacked by fleas on the way home with Petunia, it's only the beginning of one adventure after another. Petunia has grown up in a kennel, and doesn't know anything about manners. She jumps up on the furniture, she growls at herself in the mirror, and she barks too much. She definitely is not the perfect pet.
This story talks about learning to love pets even if they have flaws and problems. And it also talks about being creative to find ways to solve those annoying problems!
Christa, I still miss you, even though you've been gone for almost 15 years. I dare say there were few things in this world that loved me more than you did.
Update! In September 2012 I was approached by an Argentinan Adventist Publishing House to have Petunia second-published in Spanish!
Beanie, the Horse that Wasn't a Horse
How can a horse not be a horse? When it's a hinny, a cross between a horse and donkey similar to a mule. Beanie, the horse that Wasn't a Horse was published in 2004 by Pacific Press.
Here is my first book with a boy character. Horse crazy Alex Jahns had dreamed about owning a horse like Black Beauty, so it seemed like a nightmare when his parents came home with Beanie, the hinny. Beanie had a big bucket head, long floppy ears and short stubby legs. Was this God's idea of a joke?
But Alex soon learns that there's more to life than beauty. Beanie is well broke, friendly and smart. And he was surprisingly fast. Alex finally decides to compete at the upcoming local gymkhana. Of course, the final straw occurs when a classmate makes fun of Beanie.
I've never owned a hinny, but this story was inspired by an article in "Western Horseman" describing a hinny owned by an 80 year old gentleman who stood on his back with a chain saw to cut wood! How could anyone not enjoy an animal like that?!
Update! In 2012 Beanie was published in Portuguese for a Brazil Adventist Publishing House. That makes it my first book in a foreign language!
Here is my first book with a boy character. Horse crazy Alex Jahns had dreamed about owning a horse like Black Beauty, so it seemed like a nightmare when his parents came home with Beanie, the hinny. Beanie had a big bucket head, long floppy ears and short stubby legs. Was this God's idea of a joke?
But Alex soon learns that there's more to life than beauty. Beanie is well broke, friendly and smart. And he was surprisingly fast. Alex finally decides to compete at the upcoming local gymkhana. Of course, the final straw occurs when a classmate makes fun of Beanie.
I've never owned a hinny, but this story was inspired by an article in "Western Horseman" describing a hinny owned by an 80 year old gentleman who stood on his back with a chain saw to cut wood! How could anyone not enjoy an animal like that?!
Update! In 2012 Beanie was published in Portuguese for a Brazil Adventist Publishing House. That makes it my first book in a foreign language!
Sarah Lee and a Mule named Maybe
Maybe the Mule was my first book published by Review and Herald, it came out in 2003.
Here's another story inspired by an article in an old "Western Horseman" magazine.
It isn't easy being different when you're twelve-years-old. Sarah is much bigger than anyone in her class, maybe not chunky but certainly not small and slim like her mother, and this brings her a certain amount of teasing from other kids. One thing Sarah enjoys is endurance racing, with her mother mounted on an Arabian named Sheba, and Sarah riding Sheba's mule offspring, Maybe. (Maybe was named by Sarah's wise-cracking father, who answered the question 'Has Sheba had her foal yet?' with the answer 'Maybe'!) Maybe is the perfect mule, he does tricks - often at the wrong place and time - and he's a dependable trail riding horse.
But disaster occurs when Sarah, her mother and Aunty Teresa are trail riding in Nordegg, and a moose spooks the group of equines. The women have to walk home, and soon discover the two horses, but no Maybe is in sight.
Maybe's disappearance helps Sarah see that being different may have disadvantages, but it also has some real advantages, too.
This is one of my favourite books - I love the character of Sarah, and also Sarah's dad. That wise-cracking, smart-aleck guy is patterned after a certain man in my life, Doug, who always finds a way to twist someone's leg if possible. I might not be that crazy over the cover art, but it's still a good book, and I don't mean maybe!
Here's another story inspired by an article in an old "Western Horseman" magazine.
It isn't easy being different when you're twelve-years-old. Sarah is much bigger than anyone in her class, maybe not chunky but certainly not small and slim like her mother, and this brings her a certain amount of teasing from other kids. One thing Sarah enjoys is endurance racing, with her mother mounted on an Arabian named Sheba, and Sarah riding Sheba's mule offspring, Maybe. (Maybe was named by Sarah's wise-cracking father, who answered the question 'Has Sheba had her foal yet?' with the answer 'Maybe'!) Maybe is the perfect mule, he does tricks - often at the wrong place and time - and he's a dependable trail riding horse.
But disaster occurs when Sarah, her mother and Aunty Teresa are trail riding in Nordegg, and a moose spooks the group of equines. The women have to walk home, and soon discover the two horses, but no Maybe is in sight.
Maybe's disappearance helps Sarah see that being different may have disadvantages, but it also has some real advantages, too.
This is one of my favourite books - I love the character of Sarah, and also Sarah's dad. That wise-cracking, smart-aleck guy is patterned after a certain man in my life, Doug, who always finds a way to twist someone's leg if possible. I might not be that crazy over the cover art, but it's still a good book, and I don't mean maybe!
Marvellous Mark and his No-Good Dog
Marvellous Mark was published by Review and Herald and came out in 2003.
Mark is the new kid at school, with only one gift - his mouth. His friend in Calgary had a nickname for Mark, it was "Marvellous Mark and the Mighty Moving Mouth."
Yes, he can talk. At his old school he was the life of the party, now he's friendless. And to complicate things, his Grandpa Olsen, who used to be nice, has become a grump after losing the ability to walk after a stroke.
If only Mark had a pet of his own. But when he meets Jet, the not-so-swift ex-cow dog things go from bad to worse. What do you do with a dog that won't work? That spends all day chasing birds? That growls when he's happy? And what happens when that dog loses a leg in an accident?
The editor at Review and Herald told me "We probably would have bought this book on the strength of the title alone!" Ha! I like titles that make you laugh. And much of this character comes from the books "Hank the Cowdog" that I enjoy - a bit of sarcasm, a bit of wit and a bunch of Christian character to balance the whole deal.
Mark is the new kid at school, with only one gift - his mouth. His friend in Calgary had a nickname for Mark, it was "Marvellous Mark and the Mighty Moving Mouth."
Yes, he can talk. At his old school he was the life of the party, now he's friendless. And to complicate things, his Grandpa Olsen, who used to be nice, has become a grump after losing the ability to walk after a stroke.
If only Mark had a pet of his own. But when he meets Jet, the not-so-swift ex-cow dog things go from bad to worse. What do you do with a dog that won't work? That spends all day chasing birds? That growls when he's happy? And what happens when that dog loses a leg in an accident?
The editor at Review and Herald told me "We probably would have bought this book on the strength of the title alone!" Ha! I like titles that make you laugh. And much of this character comes from the books "Hank the Cowdog" that I enjoy - a bit of sarcasm, a bit of wit and a bunch of Christian character to balance the whole deal.
What's Wrong with Rusty?
Rusty was published in 2004 by Review and Herald.
This is my one and only book that doesn't feature an animal as the star of the show! Okay, I will admit there's a wall climbing, fat orange cat named Pumpkin in the book, but that isn't the main part of the story.
Instead this book features Rusty, a red headed hockey playing twelve-year-old who loves sports and hates hospitals. But something is wrong with Rusty, even though he hasn't admitted it to his parents. After all, who wants to tell their mother that they have to go pee all the time? And that their vision is funny sometimes? But when Rusty collapses at hockey practice, he ends up in the clutches of a needle welding nurse, Miss McDonald, who tries to teach him about diabetes and the changes it makes to a person's life.
I've always wondered what would be like to be a kid diagnosed with a serious disease. Needles, blood tests, diet changes and hospital stays; none of that sounds much like fun. I think having God on your team has to help, even if the needles don't go away.
This is my one and only book that doesn't feature an animal as the star of the show! Okay, I will admit there's a wall climbing, fat orange cat named Pumpkin in the book, but that isn't the main part of the story.
Instead this book features Rusty, a red headed hockey playing twelve-year-old who loves sports and hates hospitals. But something is wrong with Rusty, even though he hasn't admitted it to his parents. After all, who wants to tell their mother that they have to go pee all the time? And that their vision is funny sometimes? But when Rusty collapses at hockey practice, he ends up in the clutches of a needle welding nurse, Miss McDonald, who tries to teach him about diabetes and the changes it makes to a person's life.
I've always wondered what would be like to be a kid diagnosed with a serious disease. Needles, blood tests, diet changes and hospital stays; none of that sounds much like fun. I think having God on your team has to help, even if the needles don't go away.
Family Bible Story Series by Review and Herald
In 2003 Review and Herald approached me and asked if I would be interested in assisting with a million dollar project they had in mind, redoing bible stories in a modern setting. Of course I agree!
What they produced was four sets of books "Abraham", "Adam and Eve", "Jacob" and "Joseph". These hard cover books have eight to ten bible stories in each of them, each story accompanied by fantastic artwork, maps, photographs, and trivia. For example, did you know what teraphim are? Teraphim are small figurines made of clay, wood or metal, only several inches tall and often of naked women. These objects were used as idols, and this brings up the point "Just why would Rachel steal her father's idols - the teraphim?" Was she hoping they'd offer her protection on her long trip? Was she hoping they'd make her fertile? The average kid's bible book might not mention these things, but this series does.
My part in the series was to take the regular bible stories, written by Ruth Brand, and to make extremely short versions suitable for pre-school children. This was more challenging than it might sound at first. I had to condense the stories into a very small formats while keeping the main points that God wanted to get across. And an extremely short story can easily become dry and boring, so it was a challenge to keep the story short but with enough detail to make everything real. I shared the job of writing these short stories with another Adventist writer, Linda Porter Carlyle.
These books really helped me with my new writing job - that of writing for Horses All paper, where word count was essential. Without doing this series, I would have found journalism much more difficult.
What they produced was four sets of books "Abraham", "Adam and Eve", "Jacob" and "Joseph". These hard cover books have eight to ten bible stories in each of them, each story accompanied by fantastic artwork, maps, photographs, and trivia. For example, did you know what teraphim are? Teraphim are small figurines made of clay, wood or metal, only several inches tall and often of naked women. These objects were used as idols, and this brings up the point "Just why would Rachel steal her father's idols - the teraphim?" Was she hoping they'd offer her protection on her long trip? Was she hoping they'd make her fertile? The average kid's bible book might not mention these things, but this series does.
My part in the series was to take the regular bible stories, written by Ruth Brand, and to make extremely short versions suitable for pre-school children. This was more challenging than it might sound at first. I had to condense the stories into a very small formats while keeping the main points that God wanted to get across. And an extremely short story can easily become dry and boring, so it was a challenge to keep the story short but with enough detail to make everything real. I shared the job of writing these short stories with another Adventist writer, Linda Porter Carlyle.
These books really helped me with my new writing job - that of writing for Horses All paper, where word count was essential. Without doing this series, I would have found journalism much more difficult.
