Pauline unveils latest book in equine series

20 May 2015

PONY Party is the latest in the equine themed series of children’s books by local teacher Pauline Burgess.

Part of the Pony Palace collection for readers between the ages of five and eight, the latest story focuses on new boy Oskar who is finding it hard to fit in.

He’s trying his best to make friends with Hannah and Claire and to learn how to ride. It doesn’t help that his pony, Tonto, is the naughtiest in the stables – and Gizmo and Daisy aren’t behaving either.

Pony Friends Forever: Pony Party follows on from the success of Pony Friends Forever: Pony Palace Camp and Pony Friends Forever: Pony Surprise.

Pony Friends Forever is a light-hearted and fun series, but each book deals with a key theme or situations that young people might face growing up, including dyslexia, family break-ups and illness.

Malachy Doyle, acclaimed children’s author, said of Pony Palace Camp: ‘A lovely little book – hopefully the first of many – about ponies and the children who ride them. It’s great fun, but it’s thoughtful and kind-hearted too. If you like horses, you’ll love this book – and if you don’t like horses, maybe you will once you’ve read it.’

Pauline, from Carryduff, is an English teacher at St. Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan, which she says has “fed her writing and passion for children’s literature”.

She successfully combined her love for reading and talent for writing with her daughter Emma’s passion for horses to create the successful Pony Friends Forever series.

Lessans Riding Stables in Saintfield where her daughter Emma spends her Saturdays, have proven great inspiration for Pauline who was also pony-mad as a child.

Pauline recently received the ACES Award (Artist Career Enhancement Scheme) from the Arts Council NI for her writing, and her writing for children in particular.

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