Catherine Cookson (1906-1998)

British author Dame Cookson's life was almost like something out of fiction itself. She was born Kate McMullen in a deprived area of South Tyneside in Northern England in 1906, the illegitimate daughter of a girl she believed was her sister. Despite a poverty stricken childhood and having to leave school at 13 to enter into domestic service, she was eventually to become one of the most popular writers of all time and a multi-millionairess.

Although not a writer one would normally associate with pony books, she wrote a short adult series with a central horsy character and two excellent children's pony novels. As with most of her books, they are set in the North East of England, which is not really a popular setting for pony stories. In both of the children's novels the role of the horse in the Industrial urban world is an important theme. Needless to say these are not your run of the mill pony books, but they are excellent reads.

Her non-pony novels were for the most part historical sagas set in North East England.

Hamilton Series:
A trilogy of adult books about a young woman who conjures up an imaginary horse to help her cope with her terrible life. Her fantasy creation threatens her freedom when she is branded a madwoman, but in the end it proves her salvation and a promise of long-awaited happiness.
These are not pony books in any real sense of the world, but the character of Hamilton, the imaginary (and very funny) horse who kicks annoying people in the butt, is a brilliant creation. The first book is the best and has the most about the horsy character of Hamilton. The last book in the series is not as good as the others and has no horse content at all, but I have included it here for completists or those who would like to follow Maisie's story to its conclusion.

1) HAMILTON
(HEINEMANN 1983)
Reprinted a number of times, including large print editions. The most common copies are the Corgi paperbacks.
SUMMARY: Maisie could never be quite sure when she met up with Hamilton, most likely it was when she started talking to herself as an often lonely seven-year-old. Hamilton, an imaginary horse, had to remain a secret for many years, for what would people think of Maisie if she revealed that the only friend she had was a horse who acted as her guide, philosopher and confidante?

2) GOODBYE HAMILTON
(HENEMANN 1984)
Reprinted a number of times, including large print editions. The most common copies are the Corgi paperbacks.
SUMMARY: It seems life has now become wonderful for Maisie, but trouble is just around the corner. Can her imaginary equine friend Hamilton help her through?

3) HAROLD
(HEINEMANN 1985)
Reprinted a number of times, including large print editions. The most common copies are the Corgi paperbacks.
SUMMARY: The cantankerous but loveable little boy Harold whom Maisie adopts has now taken the place of Hamilton as her comfort and joy.

THE HAMILTON TRILOGY
(BOUNTY BOOKS 1992)
Reprinted in paperback by Corgi.
SUMMARY: Omnibus edition of all 3 books.

THE HAMILTONS
(SIMON & SCHUSTER 2006)
SUMMARY: Omnibus edition of the first 2 books in the series.

Collectors Info:
Easy to find, especially the Corgi paperback reprints and can be found in most larger libraries.

Other Pony Books:

JOE AND THE GLADIATOR
(MACDONALD 1968)
Reprinted in paperback by Puffin. Was also published in an omnibus edition with another Cookson novel called Matty Doolin.
SUMMARY: Set in the world of the Tyneside shipyards. Young Joe has to contend with family trouble and bullying at his job in the shipyard. His life takes on a brighter turn when he meets rag and bone man Mr. Prodhurst and his clever old horse Gladiator. But Joe's interest in the horse soon turns into a real test of his courage and determination.

THE NIPPER
(MACDONALD 1970)
Reprinted in paperback by Puffin and in hardback.
SUMMARY: Historical story about a boy and his love for a pony, set in the mining community of Northern England
When their farm is sold teenage Sandy loses both home and job. And he also loses the pony The Nipper who is sold to become a pit pony.

Collectors Info:
Quite hard to find compared to the Hamilton series and most of her other books. But they are usually low cost.