Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
September 5, 2016/in Fiction 8-10 Junior/Middle /by Angie Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 220 September 2016
Reviewer: Lynne Taylor
ISBN: 978-0141362908
Price: £10.99
Publisher: Puffin
Genre: Fiction
Age Range: 8-10 Junior/Middle
Length: 256pp
Buy the Book

The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop

Author: Clare BaldingIllustrator: Tony Ross

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.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Angie Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Angie Hill2016-09-05 18:16:002021-06-30 17:17:26The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

BfK 254 May 2022 Download BfK Issue BfK 254 May 2022
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Peter Bently and Steven Lenton named winners of The Children’s Book Award 2022

June 27, 2022

Shortlist for the 2022 SLA Information Book Award

June 23, 2022

2022 Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Winners Announced

June 16, 2022

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2022 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
The Great Dragon Bake Off A Child of Books
Scroll to top