American author of novels and non-fiction, mainly biographies. Full name Doris Shannon Garst. Born in Ironwood, Michigan in either 1894. She became a teacher but after her first book was published turned to writing full time. For her pen name she dropped the 'Doris' as she didn't think anyone would accept a Western-themed book written by a woman! She was in fact to write many more books with such a theme, her many biographies of well-known American figures often featured 'Western' characters such as Annie Oakley, Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill. Her fictional stories too were often of a Western slant, and several included that stalwart of Western literature, the horse.
Cowboy Boots Series:
1) COWBOY BOOTS FIRST EDITION ABINGDON [USA] 1946 FIRST UK EDITION HUTCHINSON (unknown date) ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLES HARGENS UK EDITION ILLUSTRATED BY R. MILLS Published in the UK by Hutchinson with different illustrations by R. Mills. SUMMARY: When Bob spends the summer on his uncle's ranch he realises that more than anything else he wants to become a real cowboy with a pair of cowboy boots and a horse of his own.
2) SILVER SPURS FOR COWBOY BOOTS FIRST EDITIONABINGDON [USA] 1949 ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLES HARGENS SUMMARY: Cattle and horses are stolen from the ranch, including Bob's horse Boots! Suspicion falls on a cowboy who claims to have lost his memory.
Collector's Info: Cowboy Boots is very easy to find in the USA, with its sequel a little rarer. Despite the fact that there was a UK edition of Cowboy Boots this title is still hard to find in the UK, as is the sequel.
Dave Series:
1) CRAZY ABOUT HORSES FIRST EDITION HASTINGS HOUSE [USA] 1957 ILLUSTRATED BY WESLEY DENNIS SUMMARY: When Dave is sent away to his uncle's ranch he thinks it is because his father wants him out of the way. Her forms a bond with the orphaned filly Pesky, but still feels unhappy.
2) TALL IN THE SADDLE FIRST EDITION HASTINGS [USA] 1960 ILLUSTRATED BY RALPH E. RICKETTS SUMMARY: Dave is now living at the ranch full time due to his father remarrying. He feels happier now that he has resolved some of the problems with his dad and has his two horses Pesky and Prince to care for.
Collector's Info: In the USA, these are a bit harder to find than the Cowboy Boots series and may be a little more expensive. Rare elsewhere.
Other Horse & Pony Books:
THE BURRO WHO SAT DOWN FIRST EDITION A. S. BARNES [USA] 1961 ILLUSTRATED BY GISELLA LOEFFLER SUMMARY: Donkey story.
A HORSE AND A HERO FIRST EDITION HASTINGS [USA] 1963 ILLUSTRATED BY MARY STEVENS SUMMARY: Blythe is determined to ignore those who say her dream horse is unrelaible, and with the help of Rory, is hopeful of turning the mare into a top barrel racer.
Collector's Info: Again, not as easy to find in the USA as the Cowboy Boots series and pretty rare elsewhere.
