Classical Childrens Books

Classic Horse Stories

silhouette of horse Read these classic horse stories that share the authors' passion for horses. These are the best horse stories of all time and have been in print for over 50 years.

Black Beauty

By Anna Sewell

Realistic Fiction - Written as autobiography of a fictitious horse
England - Late 1800's
This is the most famous of all horse stories and all anti-animal cruelty stories. Black Beauty describes his treatment not only by kind and cruel masters, but also reflects different social conditions in England in the 19th century.

While this story is not an exciting adventure tale, it's historical effect of making society more aware of animal cruely has made it a must-read for horse lovers.

The Black Stallion

By Walter Farley

Realistic Fiction Series
A teenage boy and a beautiful stallion are shipwrecked on a deserted island where they need each other to survive. This is the first in a series of more than 30 classic books about the boy and his race horse.

The Black Stallion is one of the books in the 5th Grade Kaleidos Language Arts curriculum; combining classic literature and creative writing.

National Velvet

By Enid Bagnold

Realistic Fiction - Grand National Championship
Sussex, England; Early 1900's
A fourteen year old girl becomes the owner of a marvelous piebald horse and dreams of entering him into the National Championship. Her determination to overcome multiple obstacles reflects the champion-spirit her mother displayed a generation before.

Misty Of Chincoteague

By Marguerite Henry

Based on a real story - Misty was a real horse
1940's, Chincoteague, Virginia
Two orphans living with their grandparents resolve to catch one of the most mysterious of the wild ponies. Chincoteague is a real island off the coast of Maryland famous for their wild ponies. While these characters are fictitious, it is based on true events. For those horse lovers captivated by Misty, an entire series of beautiful books about Misty and her off-spring is waiting.

Misty joins numerous other great books in Kaleidos Fourth Grade Language Arts Curriculum. Animals stories, adventure stories and more keep students eager to keep reading in this skill-building curriculum based on classic literature and creative writing.

The Blind Colt

Glen Rounds

Montana
Based on a true story
Reading Level: 3rd - 4th Grade
A blind colt is born on the Western frontier. He must learn to use his other senses to survive. A beautiful story.

My Friend Flicka

By Mary O'Hara

Realistic Fiction
Wyoming, 1940's
Trilogy: My Friend Flicka, Thunderhead, Grass of Wyoming
Ken lives on a ranch in Wyoming with his family that is always disappointed in him. His filly, Flicka, is difficult to train, but a special relationship develops between them. But aften an injury, Ken's father decides to put the horse down. Ken's heroic actions change that plan.

War Horse

Michael Morpurgo

Historic Fiction
France: World War I
Grades 4 through 8
Joey is a horse who is sold to the cavalry, much to the horror of Albert, his young owner. He first serves in the French Cavalry, and then later is captured and serves on the German side. Later he is reunited with Albert, his first owner. The book portrays the horrors of war from the perspective of a horse. First published in 1982, it is well on its way to the halls of fame of children's classic literature.

Horse Stories for Young Readers

Horse and Pony Stories

40 Classic Stories to Share

Editor: Vic Parker

The Miles Kelly Publishers have a book of 40 easy to read horse stories for young readers. Written on a second grade reading level, these are great stories for young horse lovers not quite ready for chapter books. Tales include a few excerpts from Black Beauty, quite a few stories from fairy tales with horses as the heroes, how to tame a horse from Little Men, an excerpt from Alice in Wonderland, and more.