The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop

This is Clare Balding’s first children’s book, featuring a feisty 10-year-old heroine called Charlie Bass who longs to own her own pony.  In a wonderful quirk of fate, Charlie accidentally buys a racehorse at an auction, and finds that he comes with his very good friend, a naughty pony called Percy.  Charlie’s whole family, who live on a farm, all have to work together to make the racehorse, called Noble Warrior, into a true champion.  Charlie is a warm-hearted character with huge determination and courage, who wins everyone over with her enthusiasm and know-how.  The rest of the family are huge fun, and there’s a real feel-good factor to the story.  Children who are interested in horses will find out lots about training racehorses, and what happens in the run-up and during big races.  There are also themes to explore such as modern-day farming, with the Bass family in danger of losing their farm, and feelings of exclusion, as Charlie is made fun of at school because of her looks and her background.  This has the feel of a classic children’s animal story, with a satisfying outcome, and it will appeal to many readers – children and their families.