Review - Pony in the Dark by K. M. Peyton

To tie in with the author of the month feature we are having on the website and chat forum, I am reviewing a book by this month's chosen author, K. M. Peyton. it took me a while to choose what book to review. In the end I decided upon this one a) because it was aimed at younger readers and we don't have many book reviews for younger reader's books on the website b) the main protagonist is male and there is a distinct lack of younger reading level pony book aimed at males c) it is short and wouldn't take long to read! I'll let you decide which of these 3 reasons influenced me the most! Whichever the reason, I'm glad I chose this title as it is an excellent read for all ages. 

PLOT SUMMARY

This is an historical story for younger readers, set in the early 20th century and centered around the theme of pit ponies. Tom lives on the isle of Shetland in Scotland where his father is a crofter who also breeds Shetland ponies. He falls in love with Storm, a friendly black Shetland foal, and the pair grow up together. When the inevitable time comes for his father to sell Storm Tom is heartbroken, especially when his friend is destined to become a pit pony. Later he visits his Aunt and Uncle who live near the pit where Storm is working. He is overjoyed to see his old pal and is pleased that he is being treated well and has a loving handler, but he is still saddened that the pony has to be stuck in the darkness, never to see the light of the sun. Tom is now of an age to choose a job and he wonders if, instead of going back home to become a crofter or fisherman, he should become a miner so that he could stay near Storm and live with his Aunt and Uncle who don’t have a son of their own. While he is pondering what to do however he learns there has been a terrible accident at the pit. He rushes there to see a stretcher being carried out with a lifeless pony lying upon it, and is devastated to discover it is his beloved Storm...


REVIEW

Although this book is aimed at younger readers, (being part of the ‘Young Corgi’ imprint which also features K M Peyton’s Paradise Pony and The Scruffy Pony), it is about as far from the fluffy glittery pony stories of fairy ponies and magic unicorns which are usually offered up as fare for the younger pony book reader. Instead it treats the young readers as intelligent, does not talk down to them and indeed presents life – including some unpleasant aspects – in a matter of fact way. This at times uncompromising attitude does mean that the book is unsuitable for very young readers or the ‘bedtime story’ age group. If you are looking for a pony book to read to your pre-schoolers, this is not it. However for those around age 8 upwards it is ideal.

The story provides real information for young readers, such as how life was like back in the day when children were expected to work from the age of about 13 or 14 and gives the readers a chance to compare their lives with those of the children in the book. It also paints a very detailed picture of a pit pony’s lifestyle. It actually explores some quite complex themes which will get children thinking. For example how the lives of both the pit ponies and the working class folk are paralleled, neither of them having much of a choice in their lifestyle:

“But [the men] can choose!” Tom cried, “The ponies can’t!”

“Perhaps. But it’s as your uncle says – you choose the mine or you choose to starve. There’s no alternative around here.”
(Page 73)

Possibly some of this will go over some children’s heads but I think it preferable to treating all younger readers as if they are half witted. I feel that a child reading this book will get so much more out of it than just a good story.

But, as with all the author’s works, a good story is still at the heart of the book. You are immediately drawn into the world of Tom and Storm and root for them throughout. Will Storm escape the mines? Will Tom also end up there? Will Storm survive the mining accident? It is an emotional story. Even an old fart like this reviewer had to have a quick blow on the old hankie when Tom goes to comfort the injured Storm. Perhaps because it is aimed at younger readers the book does not go down the usual 'working pony treated cruelly' route. In fact Storm is treated very well down the mines and is loved and respected. Although the young reader is not sheltered from reality in this story, the book - rightly so - does not dwell in detail upon anything too unsavoury or overly upsetting. The gentle plot twist in which Storm’s terrible accident actually brings about a happy conclusion is very neat and the resulting happy ending is appropriate for the younger age group. The author may have asked the reader to face up to some harsh truths of reality but has rewarded them with hope and happiness.

Because of the complexity of theme and background, and because of the author’s writing skill, this book will also appeal to much older children and indeed adults. Although the writing is obviously more simplistic than in some of the author’s books for older children or young adults, it never sounds babyish and the characters are all well drawn and fairly three dimensional. It is a very short book and perhaps you will find yourself wishing for more, but it will keep you hooked. In fact I even learned quite a lot about pit ponies that I didn’t know, such as how the pit ponies were clipped and shaved because of the heat down in the mines, and that the miners also used Welsh Cobs.

The story does not have many of the traditional elements of the pony book. There are no gymkhanas, riding lessons or adventures on horseback. It may not therefore appeal to those who only like these sorts of pony stories. It does however have that most important element of the good pony story – the bond between the hero or heroine and their pony. Tom’s devotion to Storm is never questioned and even though he doesn’t ride Storm or take him to shows, they have a partnership just as close and special as any pony club girl and her equine friend – perhaps even more so.

For me the book also has a personal touch as it is set partially in my old stamping ground of the North East of England and even mentions my home town of Sunderland (which does not feature in many works of literature I can tell you!) The North of England was still big mining country when I was a child. Friends had fathers who were miners, and there were even some pit ponies still working! It is good to know that the pit pony is a thing of the past in this country, but sad that the communities which relied on mining were all decimated with the eventual closure of the pits. This historical story is very real for me.

One last reason I like the book is that there are precious few pony books for younger children with male heroes. If you are a young boy who loves horses, there really is not much on offer. This story though is ideal. Of course this does not mean that girls will not enjoy the story too, and I would recommend it to both boys and girls.

For me this is the perfect pony book for younger children of around 8 upwards, but especially precocious or easily bored readers. Parents, if you want to choose a book for your child which will make them think as well as entertain them and allow them to run the full gamut of emotions, this is it. For those who would rather wrap their children in cotton wool and protect them from all realities of life, then go out and buy one of the myriad fluffy ‘magical pony’ books on offer. However your child will be missing out on a fantastic story and an opportunity to learn a lot at the same time.

I would rate this book as 5 horseshoes (excellent).

The review is also available on the ponymadbooklovers chat forum review section where you can vote on how good you think the book it. You can add comments there or here, whichever you choose.

Review - The Pony Detective Series by Belinda Rapley

SUMMARY OF SERIES:

The series comprises of 4 books:

1. Moonlight Star of the Show
2. Scout and the Mystery of the Marsh Ponies
3. Puzzle the Runaway Pony
4. Phantom One Last Chance

This is a series aimed at the slightly younger pony-mad readership (I think middle-grade in the USA) in which the four horsy heroines combine their equine exploits with solving pony-related mysteries.

Rosie, Mia, Alice and Charlie are all best friends who keep their ponies stabled at Rosie’s parent’s farm. When they hear that Moonlight, a local star showjumping pony has gone missing they decide to turn detective and find the missing jumper. Alice must also overcome her show ring nerves if she is to have a chance winning the Fratton Cup. This forms book 1 of the series.

In book 2 the girls find a mystery much closer to home when Scout, the pony Alice is supposed to have on permanent loan is suddenly claimed back by his eccentric owner who had formerly promised Alice could keep him forever. The girls must investigate the mystery surrounding this sudden change of heart so that Alice can keep her beloved pony.

In book 3 the girls find not one but two mysteries. Phantom, a highly valuable horse, has disappeared. But why does his young owner seem strangely reluctant to help them find him? Also a mystery pony, muddy and neglected, appears on the scene. Can the four find his rightful owner? Meanwhile Charlie is agonizing over her pony Pirate who is now far too small for her. She needs a bigger pony but can’t bear to part with him. A scary haunted building and an obnoxious girl at a nearby posh stable also adds to the excitement and may be clues to the mysteries.

In book 4 in the series, Charlie has decided to loan out Pirate but can’t find the perfect owner. Her new loan horse Phantom is also proving hard to handle and doesn’t seem to like her. After a bolting incident and an injury, she is banned from riding him. But a secret diary may have the answer to his rehabilitation. Can Charlie help Phantom and learn to bond with him before her parents decide to send him away? Meanwhile there is an unhappy orphan girl to contend with and some strange goings on at the stables. Plenty to keep our four heroines occupied.


REVIEW OF SERIES:

Modern pony series seem to fall into 2 categories – those which rely on gimmicky settings, celebrity glamour or even sex and drugs to spice up the story. There is usually little substance beneath the glam veneer, which seems to have been laid on thickly with a trowel in order to distract from the fact that the plots are almost non-existant, characters are often stereotyped cardboard cut-outs and the horses themselves simply winning machines with little or no personality. These stories are also full of unlikely situations and characters which young readers, although they may be initially attracted to by the novelty factor, in the end cannot really relate to them. Then there are those books which are a modern re-make of the old traditional pony stories in which the heroines care about their horses and can have fun without wearing the latest designer gear or winning at Badminton! These are books whose main excitement comes from well-worked plots and have characters that their readers can relate to and understand. The ponies are real and integral to the story. I am glad to say this excellent new pony series falls into the latter category.

To write a pony story which is appealing to the modern generation, but which still maintains the spirit and values of the traditional pony novel is no easy task. Older pony stories, despite being perhaps more stylishly written and with greater depth, may be too slowly paced, have too much description and extraneous content for the modern young reader. Today’s author must construct a very simply written, tightly focused and fast-paced story which almost but not quite conceals any hidden depths of plot, character and perhaps even an exploration of certain themes and issues. To me it seems almost like mixing in the dreaded veg with tasty but unhealthy food in order to get kids to eat their greens! Of course many authors simply don’t bother with these hidden depths, which makes for shallow books of little substance or real interest. This series however has got the balance just right. The books are written in a bright and breezy, fun and simplistic style, which makes them very easy to read. The characters and situations are also simply drawn and not too complex and the mystery element adds excitement for the easily bored reader. However there is actually quite a lot more depth and substance to be found in the stories than may be appreciated at first glance.

Children have always found stories about solving mysteries exciting, and the fact that each book in this series is shaped around a particular mystery adds an extra element of excitement and interest to the stories. Perhaps the mysteries aren’t quite of an Agatha Christie complexity, but there are enough twists and turns along the way to keep the pages turning. These are not Famous Five type exploits of missing diamonds and master criminals and the like but are more believable (and of course horse-related) mysteries such as missing ponies, mystery horses and conniving horse dealers.

But unlike some so called horsy mysteries or adventures where the ponies seem to fade into the background as the young adventurers set off looking for clues and other excitements, in these books the equine characters remain at the forefront. Not only because the mysteries themselves are related to horses, but because each book also deals with a particular horse-themed problem which the girls must face. Nerves, out-growing beloved ponies, bonding with difficult horses – these are just a few of the issues explored and give the books that extra depth.

As mentioned above I feel that many modern pony stories in their efforts to provide ever more exciting scenarios do not feature characters or situations that the average young reader can really relate to. Not so these books. The four main characters are all likeable and realistic and are diverse enough so that the reader is bound to relate to at least one of them. They include the laid back slightly lazy Rosie who enjoys hacking and messing about with her pony best: the always well-turned out Gina who loves showing, the slightly nervous Alice who must conquer her fears in order to pursue her love of show jumping, and the fun-loving and sassy Charlie. In this way the author has provided something for every type of pony-loving girl and has taken the pony book back to the time when the heroine was just a normal girl, exactly like the readers of the books, rather than some celebutante or riding child-prodigy. These kids do not leap five foot walls or perform perfect half-passes, but they do have fun and share friendship and the problems of everyday life.

What I love the most about these books however, is that the relationship between the girls and their horses is always at the heart of the stories. This is something that is sadly lacking in many a modern pony story. Almost all the girls who read these books love horses, they may be interested in glamour, celebrity or exciting adventures, but they can get these from mainstream books. What they want most from pony stories are horses, and a reflection of the bond they feel with the horses they own or ride. In the Pony Detective series, there is plenty of excitement, mystery and the girls compete at shows, but at the heart of all this is their love for their horses. Even Poppy, the top showjumping girl, is upset more at the actual loss of her beloved pony than with the fact she won’t be winning without him. Particularly touching is the love Alice feels for Scout and her distress when she may lose him, and also the growing bond that Charlie begins to feel with the temperamental Phantom as she learns to understand him. Horse welfare and happiness is a key theme in these stories.

The author is an experienced horsewoman, BHS instructor and has worked with horses all her life, so provides a solid authentic horsy backdrop with none of the dreadful bloopers some readers have spotted in other modern pony stories. There is also a small illustrated section at the back of each books with simple hints and tips for young riders, which is a nice touch.

Looking at the stories separately, the first one is the most simplistic and perhaps least gripping of the series but it makes a decent job of introducing the characters and their world. It is certainly worth reading as an introduction to the series. However, from the second book onwards the series really picks up pace as the mysteries become more complex and twisty and the characters of the girls – and their issues - are more deeply explored. The mysteries also become inextricably linked with the lives and problems of the girls themselves. My particular favourite is the second book in the series in which the mystery is the most personal and most realistic and has perhaps the most emotional impact. I also really like the sub-plot of the last book in which the kids actually take time and effort to try and understand an unlikeable and temperamental horse, rather than just condemning him as too much trouble.

To me this is the perfect pony series for today’s young reader. It balances the modern fast paced and chatty style which appeals to modern readers, with old-fashioned values and realistic characters and scenarios which all horse-lovers can relate to and enjoy. I don’t know if the author is planning any more in the series. I certainly hope so as there is a definite need for more decent modern pony series in the market today.

You can read more and vote on the series on the review section of the chat forum

Review - The Magic Pony by Patricia Leitch

EDITION REVIEWED:

Catnip paperback edition, 2012.


SUMMARY OF STORY:

The 7th book in the Jinny at Finmory series.

In this instalment in the series (which can be read alone but will be appreciated more if the other books are read too) the young heroine Jinny is looking forward to many happy days riding her beautiful Arab mare Shantih on the wild and magical Scottish moors and beaches of her home at Finmory. But, after jumping Shantih over a dangerous obstacle which causes her horse to go lame, things begin to go wrong. The vet does not seem to be able to cure her or even find the direct cause of the lameness.

After weeks of being unable to ride her beloved pony and feeling terribly guilty for causing the problem in the first place, Jinny is determined to find someone else who can help. When she hears there is a riding school in a nearby town she goes there in the hope that the woman who runs the place can give her some advice. But when she arrives there she finds the place is a filthy dump and the ponies are overworked and underfed. She is particularly drawn to Easter, an extremely old grey mare who must have been a beautiful show pony in her youth. Jinny realises that she must come up with a plan to rescue the pony from the terrible life she leads and give her a peaceful retirement.

Meanwhile she is also drawn into helping the mysterious old gypsy woman Keziah who has been taken to hospital but wants to return to her beloved moors where she can die in peace. Soon Jinny realises that the fates of Keziah, Easter and Shantih are all inextricably bound up together.


REVIEW:

Having grown up with the Armada paperback editions of the Jinny series, I was pleased when I heard it was being re-published by Catnip. I was recently asked by them to review their latest reprint in the series, The Magic Pony, and here is my review of that particular edition.

For me, this is a magical story in what is perhaps the best series of pony books ever written. Certainly it is one of the most popular, with generations of readers of all ages drawn to the fascinating and mysterious world of Finmory and its ponies.

At the heart of the series’ popularity is the character of Jinny. If you are a pony mad youngster (or were one once!) Jinny is an embodiment of everything you will feel about horses, growing up and the sometimes stifling and confusing world around you. The reason for Jinny’s success as a character is that she is amazingly realistic, especially compared to some of the stereotyped two-dimensional creations in many children’s books. Nor is she one of those unreal creations - a mixture of child riding prodigy and designer clad model – which seem to be appearing with alarming frequency in modern pony stories. No, she is a real person with real good qualities and real faults, which teenagers, (or  indeed anyone who has ever been a teenager), can relate to easily. Her imperfections can sometimes be irritating and at times the reader may dislike her as much as love her, but this only serves to make her more realistic and in the end more sympathetic (for who likes a perfect know-it-all?) And if the reader is honest they will perhaps acknowledge similar imperfections in themselves! 

In this story both her good and bad points are highlighted. Shantih’s lameness is caused by Jinny’s stupidity and thoughtlessness. Anyone who has done something without thinking and caused a loved one pain in doing so will understand Jinny’s sense of guilt and recrimination. But just as doing things without thinking is one of Jinny’s worst faults, so her compassion and bravery are her best qualities. When she faces up to her fears to both help Keziah and rescue the ill-treated pony Easter, her actions show that all of us, even with our own faults and imperfections, can achieve something in life by showing courage and kindness in helping others.

As well as a great central character in Jinny this story has everything integral to a fantastic pony story. There is excitement and danger as Jinny attempts a daring rescue of Easter. There are realistic problems to overcome which children can relate to, such as getting into trouble at school (for doing horsy stuff instead of homework!) and an annoyingly perfect older sister to contend with. There are emotional ups and downs, from sadness and fear to exhilaration and joy and wonder. And there is of course that element which is integral to any proper horse story – the love of a child for a horse. If you are tired of stories in which the horses are treated as soul-less winning machines, then you will love this story of a girl who genuinely feels a bond with horses, and experiences that special magic which only a relationship with a pony can create.

The characters are all three dimensional and believable and the world of Finmory is brought to life in such a way that generations of readers have longed to live there themselves. But despite being at heart a very realistic story, there is also a thread of fantasy which runs through the book, as the power of the mysterious Red Horse and the magic of the old woman Keziah adds an extra dimension. Unlike many modern pony stories, this fantasy element has not been shoe-horned into the book in order to appease the modern Harry Potter/fantasy-loving generation, but is integral to the plot, and in fact to the series as a whole. It is a strangely down to earth and believable magic which seems to be as much a part of the Scottish moors as the heather and stones themselves. A down-to-earth quality coupled with magical moments is what makes this series so unique and so appealing.

Another amazing quality of all the books in this series is that they appeal to adult readers as well as children. I have read the books as both child and adult and if you enjoyed the series as a child, you will find a different level of enjoyment and interest when reading it as an adult. You will appreciate that the book is superbly well-written, with a style and grasp of language uncommon in children’s books. You will also realise that there is a great emotional and depth to the stories in which important issues are explored at a deeper level beneath the story itself. One of the main concerns of the book is that of ageing and coming to terms with death. Throughout the course of the book Jinny is forced to confront mortality for the first time:

"... for it was not only Keziah who was dead , not some strange, special thing that had happened to her alone. This dying was a common thing, it happened to everything that lived; some day all her family would die, Jinny would die and even Shantih." (Page 196)

The ageing human Keziah and pony Easter are paralleled cleverly, as is Jinny's mission to make their last days pleasant. However although this theme is explored in a thoughtful manner, it is blended seamlessly into the story itself without becoming too heavy or boring for younger readers. I also like the fact that things are not always laid out in black or white, or over-simplified. The character of Brenda who runs the awful riding school would have been a mere evil stereotype in the hands of a lesser writer. However, the book instead explores how she started out as a pony mad girl just like Jinny and ended up in her terrible situation through circumstances. She has hardened her heart to the horse's suffering but is still seen to have compassion and guilt at their plight, shedding a secretive tear over Easter. One again, perhaps this complex exploration of a character will be more appreciated by the older reader, but I do think even younger readers will pick up something of the nuances and it may make them think a little.

For horse-lovers of any age this series stands far above the multitude of mediocre pony stories out there. I have read thousands of horse books in my time and can honestly say that these are amongst the best pony stories I have ever encountered. Each time you read the story you will find something new and exciting so that these are truly books you will want to read again and again.

Lastly, a quick word about the Catnip editions themselves. These are quality paperbacks with excellent printing and very attractive cover art, featuring a beautiful new cover model who is equally as stunning as the original Arab from the old Armada covers.

The Magic Pony is the first of the Catnip reprints I have read and I was very happy to read in the Editor’s Note that the book has not been revised but contains the original text. This was a great decision by the publishers as the book has not aged at all and if anything, because the author was ahead of her time in many of her views on the environment and alternative lifestyles, it is perhaps even more pertinent to the current times than it was when written. It also means that the original style of the book has not been adultered by clumsy updates and editing as in so many reprints.

These editions are therefore an excellent choice for both new readers of the series and anyone thinking of replacing their tatty old copies of the books.

You can read more and vote on the book on the review section on the ponymadbooklovers forum

An interesting article on the REAL Finmory on the  If Wishes Were Horses blog

My new blog!

Hi folks just to let you know that I have recently started another blog which will run alongside this one. The Mad Booklover Blog will concentrate on adult books (both horsy and non-horsy) and horsy or literary issues which may include adult content.

I have reviewed two books so far there: The mainstream novel Painting Naked by Maggie Dana and the young adult horse novel Blaze of Glory.

I hope folk will pop across there and have a look once in a while.

The ponymadbooklovers blog will be reserved for mainly children's pony stories. I will also be adding all my reviews here as well as on the forum reviews pages so that a wider range of readers can see them.

Summer Reading Lists

We are having fun on the pony mad booklovers chat forum with a Summer reading programme in which we have all picked 10 or so books to read over the Summer months (if indeed Summer has finally arrived!) and discuss. To make it more interesting I suggested we all try and pick at least one book from one of the following categories as well as some old classics and other books we had waiting to be read:

*Adult pony book
*Fantasy pony book
*New pony book (published in 2011-2012)

For anyone else who'd like to compile a summer reading list of their own here are some suggestions of great reads in the various categories:


FANTASY PONY BOOKS:

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater - A pony story like you've never read before - and horses like you've never ridden before (hopefully!) combined with a love story. Warning: its violent and gory!
This was a forum reading circle choice Join in with discussion here

The Girl Who Remembered Horses by Linda Benson (ebook only) - Excellent post apocalyptic story in which a girl begins to have dreams of a long forgotten legendary animal - the horse...
Read review here

Mylor the Most Powerful Horse in the World by Michael Maguire - A fun adventure romp with a very special horse. A classic which is now back in print!
Read review here

The Black Loch (aka The Horse From the Black Loch) by Patricia Leitch - Classic fantasy as children try to save a very special and magical horse.

Freedom by Angela Dorsey - Fantastic horsy ghost story which is actually scary!

Circle of Blue by Eleanor Jones - An excellent and very different horsy fantasy in which a girl stumbles into an alternative world where everything she knows is upside down. Can she get back home and will she have learned from her experiences?

Can I Get There by Candlelight by Jean Slaughter Doty - Horsy time slip in which a lonely girl finds a friend in the past. Everyone I know who has read this has loved it!
Read review here


NEW PONY BOOKS:

Timber Ridge Riders series by Maggie Dana - A great new series in which a girl vows to have nothing to do with horses after fearing she has caused the death of one. A lively modern take on a traditional pony series.
Read review of book 1 Keeping Secrets
Read review of book 2 Racing Into Trouble

Taking Flight by Sheena Wilkinson - THE pony book of 2011 - a gritty young adult story which you will not be able to put down!
This was a forum reading circle choice Join in with discussion here

Grounded by Sheena Wilkinson - A must-read sequel to Taking Flight.
Read review here

The One Dollar Horse by Lauren St. John - Gritty young adult drama of a girl determined to rise above her awful home life and compete at Badminton on a rescued horse.

Blaze of Glory by M. Garzon - Young adult novel. A girl struggles against circumstances and a forbidden passion. Authentic horse detail from an ex professional rider. Lots of people have really enjoyed this although it was slightly too Mills n Boonish for me!

The Girl Who Remembered Horses - see above


ADULT:

Bluegrass by Borden Deal - possibly the best adult horsy book ever written - certainly the most authentic. Fascinating detail of the world of breeding in Bluegrass country provides a backdrop for an absorbing story of a woman struggling to survive in a man's world.

Riding Lessons by Sara Gruen - Page turning story of a once top rider who returns to horses after many years.

The Horse Dancer by JoJo Moyes - One of my favourite reads of last year. Combines a teen pony drama with an adult story. Interesting backdrop of Le Cadre Noir.

Come to Grief by Dick Francis - Third in the excellent Sid Halley series and possibly the most gripping. A fantastic study of a psychopathic personality as well as a page turning mystery. Warning - some hard hitting scenes of horse injury.

Going the Distance by Christina Jones - Chick lit for all (even boys!) with racing backdrop of scheming trainers and randy jockeys. A very funny light read for the beach.
Read review here

The Man from Snowy River - Intelligent and very well written adaptation of the film of the same name by Silver Brumby author Elyne Mitchell. Aimed at young adult to adult.
Read review here

Six to One Against by Lyndon Stacey - Excellent racing thriller in which an animal behaviourist gets involved with solving the murder of a jockey. Or try any of the author's other books!

Warrior the Story of a Real War Horse by Lord Mottistone - does exactly what it says on the cover - a real life biography of the author's own war horse. Touching and fascinating.
Read review here

I hope this has given people some ideas of what to read over the Summer. There are some real corkers here which will have you glued to the page whether on the beach or garden or stuck indoors if the rain returns!

Please feel free to add your own suggestions!

To see my own Summer reading list check out the Shelfari link on the right.

New look website!

Hi all, just a quick blog to let everyone know that I have uploaded the new look version of the ponymadbooklovers website with new colour scheme and artwork. If anyone notices any errors or has any probs with links please drop me a line.

Also many thanks to Debbie Tink who provided the pic of the pony reading - she is working on more fantastic artwork for other part of the site which I will be adding in due course.

Website back up

Website is now up and running again. Thanks for everyone's patience whilst I have been sorting out the problems. Hopefully everything will run smoothly from now on. It did last out for 5 years without a problem so if we can manage another 5 years trouble-free I won't be complaining!