Kathleen Fidler (1890-1980)

Kathleen Fidler was born in Leicestershire in 1890, and was raised in Wigan and North Wales, where she became a teacher. After her marriage to James Goldie she moved to Scotland and began writing stories for her children. A highly prolific author of both novels and non-fiction books for children, most famous of which are those about the Brydon and the Dean families. Her books often have a Scottish or historical theme, and many are about animals, although only three featured equines.

Ms. Fidler also wrote for BBC radio, including many schools programmes and indeed was one of the pioneers of the BBC Schools Broadcasting service.

In her lifetime the she was highly acclaimed as a children's writer and after her death the Kathleen Fidler Award was set up in memory of her work and support of children's literature.


Sources: Fidra Books website/Books From Scotland website

Horse & Pony Books:

FEDORA THE DONKEY
(LUTTERWORTH 1952)
ILLUSTRATED BY IRIS GILLESPIE
SUMMARY: Hard to find donkey story.

THE STALLION FROM THE SEA
(LUTTERWORTH 1952)
SUMMARY: A tale of adventure, smuggling and a chestnut stallion, based on a Manx legend.

HAKI THE SHETLAND PONY
(LUTTERWORTH 1968)
ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS
Reprinted a number of times in paperback, some with the lovely original illustrations.
SUMMARY: Fed up with life on his parent's croft in Scotland, young Adam sells his Shetland pony Haki to the circus on condition that he will be employed as the pony's trainer.

Collectors info:
Haki is very easy to find, mainly in its paperback form. The other two, which I don't think were ever reprinted, are very rare and can be quite expensive to buy.