Miriam E. Mason (1900-1973)

Miriam Evangeline Mason was an American author of children's novels. Born in Goshen, Indiana in 1900.  A fairly prolific writer, she wrote a variety of books including animal stories, younger reader's novels and biographies of famous folk aimed at children. She is perhaps best known for her books about nature, animals and farming, a subject she knew well, having grown up on a farm herself, and she treats these theme in a sensible, non-sentimental way as befits a country and farm girl. Two of her books featured ponies and one a mule.

Lightning & Broomtail Series:

1) A PONY CALLED LIGHTNING
(MACMILLAN [USA] 1948)
ILLUSTRATED BY C. W. ANDERSON
Reprinted by Macmillan in hardback.
Reprinted by Macmillan in paperback
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, paperback
SUMMARY:  The wild pony Lightning is born in a storm and thinks he is so fast he can beat anything - even lightning itself!

2) BROOMTAIL BROTHER OF LIGHTNING
(MACMILLAN [USA] 1952)
ILLUSTRATED BY WILLIAM MOYERS
Reprinted by Macmillan in hardback.
EDITION PICTURED: First edition
SUMMARY: Broomtail is the pinto son of Lightning. He too loves running with the herd until he is captured by Indians and becomes the mount of Red Eagle. Will he ever be free again?

Collector's Info:
Lightning had many reprints and is easy to find in the USA, especially the paperback edition. Broomtail is a lot rarer, although not usually very expensive. Both books are hard to find elsewhere.

Other Horse & Pony Books:

HAPPY JACK
(MACMILLAN [USA] 1945)
ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE AND DORIS HAUMAN
Reprinted by Macmillan in hardback.
SUMMARY: Happy Jack the mule runs away from the circus as he thinks they work him too hard. But he ends up at a farm where he learns the true meaning of hard work….

Collector's Info:
Reasonably easy to find in the USA,  a lot harder elsewhere.