Okay! Let's move into the animal kingdom! One of the hottest themes in books and movies these days seems to be animal stories - "Marley and Me", "Dewey", "The Art of Racing in the Rain", "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" - and on and on. So, dear RAVALA members, the question of this week is what is/was your very favorite animal book or movie and why. Please contribute and share with all of us!
I'm a horse lover, and growing up I was enthralled with Marguerite Henry's story for children, "King of the Wind", the gripping adventure of Sham, the Arabian, who was born to run and who became the ancestor of some of the greatest Thoroughbreds. Then of course, there was "My Friend Flicka" ( a great coming of age story that showcases Wyoming) and its sequels. These are just a few among my favorites. How about anyone else out there in RAVALA land?
Susan C.
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A good nonfiction book is A Good Dog: the story of Orson who changed my life by Jon Katz. He has written a number of books about the animals on his farm in upstate New York. I don't want to give away the story, but this book seems to provoke a lot of discussion. You either like it, or you don't. But either way, it is thought provoking, humorous, and heartwrenching! Well worth reading.
A great fiction story that I loved is a "J" book by Ann Martin called A Dog's Life: the autobiography of a stray. It is written from the dog's point of view, and is a wonderful read. Ms. Martin has worked with a number of dog rescue groups, and her knowledge of a "dog's life" is remarkable!
You mentioned Dewey--a wonderful story! Couldn't resist mentioning it again. Great book!
Cheryl
I've been sort of keeping up a list I inherited: If you like Marlye & Me. I'll be sure and add any books you recommend!
My favorite animal story when I was growing up was Blitz by Hetty Burlingame Beatty, about a poor abused horse who finally finds a good owner. It was a real tear jerker! It's out of print but available on Amazon.
I recently finished the audio version of The Art of Racing in the Rain. I highly recommend it!
I love Wind in the Willows and Watership Down. They are such great pictures of friendship and community.
A wonderful book is Rescuing Sprite by Mark Levin. It is the story of his rescuing a dog for his family and once they ad fallen in love with it, they realized that it had a terminal illness. It follows the months they spent with their beloved animal and having finally to put him to sleep. I cried through the whole thing as I am an animal lover and had todo the same for two pets in the last two years. Short and very well written.
DonnaK
I was obsessed with horses as a young girl. I would draw them constantly and every afternoon when getting home from school would put on my Hoppilong Cassidy outfit complete with guns and ten gallon hat. My favorite story from that time and the subject of thousands of drawings was Black Beauty. As an adult I am presently doing a watercolor drawing of the above for my 8 year old granddaughter, Grace, for her 9th birthday. She is a horse nut too----but Hoppilong Cassidy no longer exists for her generation!!
Donna K
Hey, Susan...horse lovers unite! I own and ride 2 of them. Yes, hooked at 4 years old with BIG BLACK HORSE (little people's version) by Walter Farley. Graduated to all of the BLACK STALLION books, most of which I still own. THUNDERHEAD, the movie and book, were great, and part of the Flicka series. Also the series called "Famous Horse Stories" by various authors. Also the classic SMOKY, by Will James. Besides SEABISCUIT, can't think of any new adult horse stories!
As a kid, i read through all of marguerite henry's horse themed books and loved them!
cynthia k
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