This was a favourite book from my childhood--I borrowed it a number
of times from our school library. When I discovered that our university
library had a copy, I was excited to have a chance to re-read as an
adult and see what had so captivated my younger self. I was pleased
that the book retained its charm all these years later.
Set in the province of British Columbia, Canada, the protagonist is
an orphaned boy, Mark, sent to live with his aunt and uncle. In his new
school, he befriends a girl named Giselle. Her father has mysteriously
gone missing, following a hunting trip during which Giselle suspects
that he was trying to capture the beautiful and mysterious Sun Horse,
which local legends identify as living in Forgotten Valley in the
mountains.
Of course, Mark and Giselle decide that they are going to find and
bring home Giselle's father. Their adventures include making friends
with a bat (whom Giselle is surprised to find she can communicate with
telepathically), meeting the Marsh Witch who takes care of the swans and
runs around the marsh on her stilts, and asking for assistance from the
local Indian tribe.
The Marsh Witch is particularly fun--she uses cobwebs and captured
dreams to make sky ropes which can lasso clouds. She then climbs the
ropes and rides the clouds to see what is going on in the valley.
Although she looks scary in the beginning, the children discover that
she is really a caring woman and a great ally.
I was also pleased at the positive depiction of the Native people in
the book. They seem much more reasonable than some of the caucasian
people the children encounter. Their chief is also the owner of the
fabulous Sun Horse. They know what's going on and are willing to share
their knowledge with those who have honourable reasons for searching.
Today's children would no doubt find this book quaint or boring, with
it's emphasis on the hard work being done by both adults and children
on the frontier. But it has great messages of co-operation between
cultures, respect for the natural world and not judging people by their
appearances. I'm sure my younger self was mostly besotted by all the
horses in the book, but I'm glad these positive messages were also there
to be absorbed along with the horsey aspects.
It's a shame it is out of print and so difficult to locate. Copyright 1951.
Hi Wanda
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a fun book and it is fun to revisit some of the childhood treasures. I have found university libraries are good sources for early SF/Fantasy and children's books.
Guy
I appreciate U of C's library more and more as I try to locate old science fiction. The public library weeds heartlessly! Books I read last year are now gone from their catalogue. I realize they have limited shelf space, but it does make me sad.
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