Diana Pullein-Thompson


	Diana Pullein-Thompson (1925 - 2015) Along with her two sisters and mother (Joanna Cannan) Diana forms part of the most famous pony book writing dynasty of all time. She and her sisters, twin Christine (both born in 1925) and elder sister, Josephine, wrote a pony book together when still in their teens. From then on the rest, as they say, was history. The girls' knowledge and experience of ponies - they ran their own riding school - shines through in their books. Diana's books are similar in style to that of her twin, although not quite as dark in tone, and they also tend to feature a variety of other animals from dogs to cats to donkeys. Diana's technique is perhaps a little more innovative than her sisters. For example she explored the multiple first-person narrative in A Pony For Sale and A Pony To School and also the novella form in Horses at Home/Friends Must Part. However Diana frankly admits her books were aimed at a popular rather than literary market, and that she was writing them "for young people, not for book buying parents or critics" Character is all important in Diana's books. Linda Yeatman in 20th Century Children's Author's writes, "the children in the stories are involved with ponies and riding but it is the personal misfortunes of the children that carry the reader along." Characters such as Augusta and Christina in I Wanted a Pony and Three Ponies and Shannan, Lesley in Riding With the Lyntons, Lynn in the Ponyseekers trilogy and Katie in Cassidy in Danger are the driving force in the plots of these books, the action arising from their personalities. Diana nearly always gives the reader a fairly deep look into the psyche of her heroines and heroes, making them very easy to identify with. This, I think, is what gives her books such lasting appeal. Diana's personal favourites amongst her own books are Cassidy in Danger and Ponies in Peril (incidentally one of my own favs!) (References: 20th Century Children's Authors 3rd edition)


	Augusta and Christina Series: One of the best-loved pony series by this author. Told via two different girls' points of view PONYMAD SERIES RATING: 5 HORSESHOES 1) I WANTED A PONY FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1946 ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE BULLEN Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards in 1972 as part of the Collins Pony Library (number 8). Reprinted in paperback by Fontana. Reprinted in paperback Armada in 1966, 1972 and 1980. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Fontana and Armada paperback editions, Collins Pony Library edition. SUMMARY: 'Written' by Augusta. Tells the story of how Augusta finds the pony of her dreams while staying with her awful cousins. But he turns out to have a terrible vice...will Augusta have to part with him forever? Read review 2) THREE PONIES AND SHANNAN FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1947 ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE BULLEN Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards in 1974 as part of the Collins Pony Library (number 26). Reprinted in hardback by White Lion. Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1968 and 1977. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Armada paperback editions, Collins Pony Library edition. SUMMARY: 'Written' by Christina. Because she is rich and has three ponies Christina is despised by the local horsy children until she goes to a pony club camp and meets Augusta. Read review 3) A PONY TO SCHOOL FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1950 ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE BULLEN Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1963, 1978 and 1983. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Armada paperback editions. SUMMARY: 'Written' by both girls. The girls must cure the beautiful skewbald pony Clown of rearing in order to save his life. Read Review 4) ONLY A PONY FIRST PRINTED: ARMADA PAPERBACKS 1980 Paperback original. Reprinted in hardback by Severn House. EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition (paperback) SUMMARY: 'Written' by Augusta. The two girls end up alone whilst Augusta's mother is in hospital having a baby and their au pair disappears to find her boyfriend. The girls then get mixed up with a runaway boy and his pony Rainbow. Collectors Info: Paperbacks are all easy to come by and cheap in both the UK and USA First editions of the first three are quite rare. Only A Pony was a paperback original and so is a lot easier to find and less expensive than the hardback firsts. The first two in series were also reprinted as hardbacks as part of the Collins Pony Library. Shannan seems fairly easy to find in this edition although I Wanted A Pony is rarely seen. The White Lion edition of Shannan and the Severn House edition of Only A Pony are probably the hardest editions to find.


	Sandy and Fergus Series: 1) PONIES IN THE VALLEY FIRST PRINTED: ARMADA PAPERBACKS 1976 Paperback original. Reprinted in hardback by Severn House. Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1976. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition (paperback), Severn House edition. SUMMARY: Sandy and Fergus arrive in their new home in Wales, befriend Jake the owner of a local trekking centre and acquire their first pony Mimosa. PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES 2) PONIES ON THE TRAIL FIRST PRINTED: ARMADA PAPERBACKS 1978 Paperback original Reprinted in hardback in 1980 by Severn House. EDITION PICTURED: First edition (paperback), Severn House edition. SUMMARY: The children find more excitement than they bargained for as they accompany their friend Jake on a trekking holiday. PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES 3) PONIES IN PERIL FIRST PRINTED: ARMADA PAPERBACKS 1979 Paperback original. Reprinted in hardback in 1980 by Severn House. EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition (paperback), Severn House edition. SUMMARY: The children manage to raise enough money to save six ponies which were going for slaughter. But if they can't train them and find good homes for them, the fate of the ponies may still be in the balance! PONYMAD VIEW: The last in the series can sometimes fall a bit flat, but in this case it's the best of the lot. It is the most tightly plotted of the three and eschews adventure, for what is to my mind a much more interesting portrayal of rescuing and then training young ponies. I actually first read this one before the other two in the series and you certainly don't lose anything by not reading them first as it stands alone very well. Traditional pony book fare at its very best! PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES Collectors Info: First editions were paperbacks. These editions are reasonably easy to find in the UK and to a lesser extent in the USA. The Severn House hardback reprints are quite a bit harder to find however.


	Ponyseekers/Candy Series: A more original than normal series in that the theme is horse dealing, not seen that often in pony books (except perhaps in the cliched portrayal of the 'dodgy dealer'). This series looks at the dealing life itself, mainly through the eyes of the teenage Lynn. It also has interesting adult characters. A good series, although the last is inferior to the other two. 1) THE PONY SEEKERS FIRST PRINTED: SPARROW PAPERBACKS 1981 Paperback original. Reprinted in hardback in 1981 by Severn House. EDITION PICTURED: First edition (paperback), Severn House edition. SUMMARY: After losing her horse in a tragic accident Briony starts up a dealers agency with her brother and sister, David and Lynne. Disaster strikes as an epidemic sweeps the stables. Lynn forms a close bond with a mare called Candy whilst nursing her but it seems as if the agency is doomed to failure. PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES 2) A FOAL FOR CANDY FIRST PRINTED: SPARROW PAPERBACKS 1981 Paperback original. Reprinted in hardback in 1982 by Severn House. EDITION PICTURED: First edition (paperback), Severn House edition. SUMMARY: Excitement for Lynn as she discovers Candy is going to have a foal. The agency is also doing better, but if Briony cannot find new stabling then Candy will have to be sold! PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES 3) A PONY FOUND FIRST PRINTED: SPARROW PAPERBACKS 1981 Paperback original. Reprinted in hardback by Severn House. EDITION PICTURED: First edition (paperback), Severn House edition. SUMMARY: The agency's fate now lies with the success of Briony's new pupil Mirabelle - but has she the talent and courage needed to succeed? PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES Collectors Info: All first printed in paperback. Fairly easy to find in the UK and to a lesser extent in the USA. The Severn House hardback reprints can be hard to find.


	Black Beauty's Family/Clan Series: (With Josephine & Diana Pullein-Thompson) A series of historical pony novels following in the hoofprints of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. Written by all three of the Pullein-Thompson sisters. The novels are set from the horse's point of view and are the life stories of a number of Black Beauty's supposed relatives/ancestors. The books were originally published as omnibus editions containing three novels/novellas in each. Four of these novels were also published as single volumes. Original Omnibus Editions: 1) BLACK BEAUTY'S CLAN aka BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY (Red Fox paperback) Includes: BLACK VELVET (by Christine) BLACK PRINCESS (by Diana) BLACK EBONY (by Josephine) FIRST PRINTED: BROCKHAMPTON 1975 ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT Reprinted in paperback by Red Fox in 2000 when it was very confusingly (and rather stupidly) re-titled Black Beauty's Family - which is also the name of the second instalment in the original series! USA edition published in hardback by McGraw-Hill in 1980. The three stories were also published separately in paperbacks by Knight. (See 'Single Volumes' section below) EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Red Fox paperback, USA edition. SUMMARY: Follows the stories of Black Beauty's younger brother Black Ebony who falls on hard times when he is injured, and two of his later descendants Black Princess, who takes part in the First World War and Black Ebony, who is a show jumper. Read Review (off web-site) 2) BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY aka MORE FROM BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY (Red Fox paper-back) Includes: BLACK NIGHTSHADE (by Josephine) BLACK ROMANY (by Diana) BLOSSOM (by Christine) FIRST PRINTED: HODDER & STOUGHTON 1978 ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT Reprinted in paperback by Red Fox in 2001 and re-titled. USA edition published in hardback by McGraw-Hill in 1980. Black Nightshade was reprinted as a single volume in paperback by Knight in 1980. (See 'Single Volumes' section below) EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Red Fox paperback, USA edition. SUMMARY: Three stories of Black Beauty's relatives from the 17th and 18th centuries. Read Review (off web-site) 3) BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY 2 Includes: BLACK RAVEN AND THE WITCH (by Josephine) BLACK PIPER (by Diana) BLACK PIONEER (by Christine) FIRST PRINTED BEAVER PAPERBACKS 1982 Paperback original. As far as I know. Not reprinted at all. EDITION PICTURED: First edition. SUMMARY: Shorter than the other omnibus editions: the three stories are novella size rather than full length novels. Other Omnibus Editions: BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY 1 FIRST PRINTED: BEAVER PAPERBACKS 1981 ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT Paperback original. EDITION PICTURED: First edition. SUMMARY: Paperback 2 in 1 containing: Black Romany and Blossom BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY FIRST PRINTED: CHANCELLOR PRESS 1986 EDITION PICTURED: First edition. SUMMARY: A large hardback omnibus edition with pictorial boards. Contains Velvet, Princess, Ebony, Nightshade, Romany, Blossom. Single Volumes: BLACK VELVET FIRST PRINTED: KNIGHT PAPERBACKS 1979 Reprinted in paperback by Knight in 1983 EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, reprint BLACK PRINCESS FIRST PRINTED: KNIGHT PAPERBACKS 1979 Reprinted in paperback by Knight in 1983 Also a Swedish and Danish edition. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, reprint, Danish edition BLACK EBONY FIRST PRINTED: KNIGHT PAPERBACKS 1979 Possibly reprinted by Knight - need confirmation. EDITION PICTURED: First edition. BLACK NIGHTSHADE FIRST PRINTED: KNIGHT PAPERBACKS 1980 EDITION PICTURED: First edition. Collectors Info: If there is a more confusing series to collect (or explain!) I've yet to encounter it. I'm not sure what the various publishers were thinking, but for a start there were three omnibus editions, all completely different, all entitled Black Beauty's Family and this is only the start of the confusion! I have tried to make sense of this publishing nightmare so that nobody ends up buying duplicates of the stories. I hope I have succeeded! The series was first published in omnibus form, each volume containing three stories (novel or novella length), making a total of nine stories in all. Four of these were then published as single volume paperbacks. The first six stories appeared in a number of different omnibuses, although the last three were not reprinted at all and are only available in Black Beauty's Family 2. The first two omnibus editions were also published in the USA under their original titles and mercifully don't appear to have been reprinted or their titles changed! The series is reasonably easy to find, especially the paperback editions and the American editions are easy to find in the USA. Black Beauty's Family 2 is probably the hardest edition to find, especially outside of the UK, although it is not usually expensive.


	Other Horse & Pony Books: IT BEGAN WITH PICOTEE (With Christine and Josephine Pullein-Thompson) FIRST PRINTED: A & C BLACK 1946 ILLUSTRATED BY ROSEMARY ROBERTSON COLLECTOR'S INFO: Not reprinted. Fairly rare, especially with jacket. EDITION PICTURED: First edition SUMMARY: Early collaboration by all three sisters, written when they were just teenagers. PONYMAD RATING: 2 HORSESHOES THE PENNYFIELDS FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1949 Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1964 and 1969. COLLECTOR'S INFO: Can be found without too much trouble in the UK, USA and Australia. The first edition is not a hard one to find. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Armada paperbacks. SUMMARY: Less pony content than other books on this page. A large family of kids start up an odd job agency in order to save up for a pony. Humourous. PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES A PONY FOR SALE FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1951 ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE Reprinted in hardback in the 1960s in the Collins Seagull Library series. Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards in 1973 as part of the Collins Pony Library series (number 24) Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1970 and 1978. COLLECTOR'S INFO: An easy book to find in some form in the UK, USA and Australia, as many editions were printed. The Seagull edition is the easiest hardback to find. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Collins Seagull Library edition, 1970 Armada paperback, Collins Pony Library edition, later Armada paperback. SUMMARY: The story of a pony's life written in four instalments by four different owners, some good, some bad. PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES Read review JANET MUST RIDE FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1953 ILLUSTRATED BY MARY GERNATT Reprinted in paperback by Scottie Books in 1956. Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1967 and 1979. COLLECTOR'S INFO: First edition is hard to find and can be pricey. Armada paperbacks are easy to find, the Scottie paperback a bit harder. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Scottie paperback, Armada paperbacks. SUMMARY: The story of Janet as she takes up her first job with horses. Janet knows she can ride well and wants to be more than just a groom, but can she ever achieve her goal? PONYMAD VIEW: Aimed at a slightly older readership than most of the author's other books as Janet has left school and is working. One of the better of the 'career' horse stories on offer. See full review for more. PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES Read review HORSES AT HOME/FRIENDS MUST PART FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1954 ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards in 1972 as part of the Collins Pony Library series (number 7). Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1969 and a later reprint. COLLECTOR'S INFO: Only the first edition is hard to find. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, 1969 Armada paperback, Collins Pony Library edition, later Armada paperback. SUMMARY: Consists of two short novels. In one a pair of children look after their aunt's horses while she is ill. In the second story two horsy friends fall out, can their ponies bring them back together again? PONYMAD RATING: HORSES AT HOME: 3 HORSESHOES FRIENDS MUST PART: 4 HORSESHOES RIDING WITH THE LYNTONS FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1956 ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE Reprinted as a hardback with pictorial boards in 1972 as part of the Collins Pony Library series (number 9). Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1963 and 1982. OLLECTOR'S INFO: An easy book to find in paperback in the UK and elsewhere. Harback editions can be quite rare. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, 1963 Armada paperback, Collins Pony Library edition, 1982 Armada paperback. SUMMARY: Excellent, although controversial, story about a girl who loses her friendship with a group of children through a tragic accident. Perhaps the most emotive book we have discussed in our reading circle! (See below) PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES Discussion about the book by the chat forum reading circle THE BOY AND THE DONKEY aka THE DONKEY RACE (Paperback edition) FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1958 ILLUSTRATED BY SHIRLEY HUGHES Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1970, when it was re-titled. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Armada paperback SUMMARY: Unusual 'pony' story about a boy who trains a Rag and Bone man's donkey to try and win the local Donkey Derby! PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES Read review THE HERMIT'S HORSE FIRST PRINTED: ARMADA PAPERBACKS 1974 Paperback original. Reprinted in hardback in 1985 by Severn House. COLLECTOR'S INFO: Paperback first edition is seen far more often than the hardback reprint. EDITION PICTURED: First edition (paperback), Severn House edition. SUMMARY: Slightly dark story about a friendship between two children and a strange old man and his horse. PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES CASSIDY IN DANGER aka THIS PONY IS DANGEROUS (J. A. Allen edition) FIRT PRINTED: DENT 1979 Reprinted in paperback by Armada Reprinted in paperback by J. A. Allen paperbacks, when it was re-titled. Also a German edition. COLLECTOR'S INFO: All paperback editions are easy to find in the UK and USA. The first edition can be harder. There was a German edition and this can still be easily found in Germany. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Armada paperback, J. A. Allen paperback, German edition. SUMMARY: A girl determines to save a beautiful pony from slaughter with the help of an unlikely ally. PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES THE LONG RIDE HOME FIRST PRINTED: CAVALIER PAPERBACKS 1996 Paperback original. COLLECTOR'S INFO: Not reprinted as far as I know. Fairly easy to find in the UK. EDITION PICTURED: 1st edition (paperback) SUMMARY: A young girl sets off on a horseback journey from Scotland to Yorkshire in order to escape from frightening goings on at her home whilst her parents are away. PONYMAD RATING: 2 HORSESHOES Collectors Info: See individual titles for more detailed information. Most paperback editions can be quite easily found in the UK, USA and some in Australia. It Began with Picotee is the only really hard to find title.


	Short Story Collections: TRUE HORSE AND PONY STORIES FIRST PRINTED: ARMADA PAPERBACKS 1976 SUMMARY: Collection of real life stories by Diana and also other authors. PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES More info about the book on British Short Story Collections page. THE PULLEIN-THOMPSON TREASURY OF HORSE AND PONY STORIES (With Diana and Josephine Pullein-Thompson) FIRST PRINTED: AWARD 1995 ILLUSTRATED BY ERIC ROWE First edition is a hardback with pictorial boards. Reprinted again in pictorial hardback by Award. Reprinted in hardback and paperback by Award in 2015. EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, hardback and paperback reprints. SUMMARY: Contains many pony stories from all three sisters, some of which were first published in various annuals, plus lots more other stories. PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES Collectors Info: As of March 2019 the Treasury is still in print in paperback and as an e-book in the UK and the USA. Used copies are quite easy to find also in the UK and elsewhere.


	Short stories in other books & collections: NEARLY AN EXPERT in PONY STORIES (Edited by Ian Woodward) FIRST PRINTED: CORGI/CAROUSEL PAPERBACKS 1983 SUMMARY OF BOOK: Collection of short stories, mainly by lesser known authors, but all of good quality. PONYMAD RATING: 3 - 4 HORSESHOES SUMMARY OF STORY: A prideful young lady who thinks she knows more about horses than all those around her finds herself in the wrong. PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES More information on the book on the British Short Story Collections page A STAR FOR A LADY in THUNDERING HOOVES aka MORE HORSE AND PONY STORIES CHOSEN BY CPT aka RIDING STORIES CHOSEN BY CPT (Edited by Christine Pullein-Thompson) FIRST PRINTED: KINGFISHER 1996 ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS Reprinted in paperback by Kingfisher. Reprinted in paperback in 1998 when it was re-titled. Reprinted in paperback in 2005 when it was again re-titled. Also an American edition published by Kingfisher. EDITIONS PICTURED: First paperback reprint, 1998 & 2005 paperbacks. SUMMARY OF BOOK: Book of short stories and excerpts by various authors. More info on the British Short Story Collections page SUMMARY OF STORY: A historical pony story. Collectors Info: All are fairly easy to find and usually low cost.


	Books about the author: FAIR GIRLS AND GREY HORSES (By Christine, Diana & Josephine Pullein-Thompson) FIRST PRINTED: ALLISON & BUSBY 1996 Reprinted in paperback by Allison & Busby a number of times. Also a large print edition published by Isis in 1997 in both hardback and paperback. EDITIONS PICTURED: 1990s and 2014 paperbacks, large print edition. SUMMARY: Joint autobiography of the three Pullein-Thompson sisters. Written with Diana and Josephine. Suitable for adults or older children, but will probably not hold the attention of younger readers. Collectors Info: At time of this update (March 2019) the book is in print in the UK and USA. Used editions are also fairly easy to find.