Kelman D Frost

Jane Badger Books

Drinker of the Wind

Thomas Nelson & Sons, London, 1960, illus Joan Kiddell-Monroe, 247 pp.

Ruth and Jeff had come to North Africa because of Shalimar: a pure-bred Arab stallion. Their father had bought
the horse, and in theory Ruth and Jeff were to accompany him back to England. No sooner had they reached
the stallion when Shalimar disappeared, stolen.

Son of the Sahara

Hutchinson of London, 1962, illus Victor Ambrus, 207 pp.

Roy Publishers, New York, 1965, 207 pp.

Abu is a young sweet-seller in a Sahara oasis, and he is desperate to own a horse. His family is poor, and
Abu will never be able to afford a horse on his own. However, when he discovers a plot to overthrow the Caid
of Yelten, his fortunes change. He ends up in a Berber stronghold in the Aures Mountains, and escapes
with El Mansur, an Arab stallion every Arab leader wants.

Sahara Hostage

Nelson, London, 1962, illus Joan Kiddell-Monroe, 229 pp.

The beautiful Shalimar is the pride of the Silver Star Riding Stables. However, the ruthless Sheik el Sabra is
determined to own the stallion, and will stop at nothing.

Kelman D Frost

Kelman Dalgety Frost started his writing career at the age of 16, his first published story being written in the trenches in France. After the end of World War I, Frost travelled in Europe and North Africa, where many of his books and serials were set. According to the dustjacket of Sahara Trail, Frost wrote over 40 children’s books: generally in the field of adventure. I haven’t been able to find anywhere near that number written under his name, but neither have I been able to trace a pseudonym. His Times obituary described him as “one of the most prolific writers of non classical children’s stories ever known. [who] kept more boys quiet absorbed in his latest episode.... Than any other parent of his generation.” Frost wrote the Don Lawrence western series, which appeared as a comic strip, so I wonder if the 40 titles included comic books as well as pseudonymous titles.

None of his books are traditional pony books, but there are some which involve horses, principally, as you would expect from books set in the Sahara, the Arab. At least two of his books, Sahara Sunset and Sahara Desert, are adult novels with little or no horse content as far as I am aware. Two of his books are about Ruth and Jeff, and the Arabian stallion Shalimar. Son of the Sahara was made into a six part television series by the Children’s Film Foundation.

Finding the books: Drinker of the Wind , Sahara Hostage, Son of the Sahara- easy to find, pricing variable; Stallion of the Desert - pricier; Hoofbeats on the Prairie and Sahara Trail - easy to find and usually cheap.

Links and Sources:
Son of the Sahara on IMDB
Dustjacket, Sahara Trail

Bibiography - horse books only

Ruth and Jeff Series

Drinker of the Wind

Sahara Hostage

Stallion of the Desert

Abelard-Schuman, London, 1966, illus Charles Pickard, 167 pp.

Aly has a horse of his own: Okba, a magnificent Arab stallion. The town where Aly lives is attacked by
deserters from the French Legion, who carry off the women and children as hostages. Aly is determined to
overcome the villains, with the help of Okba, and his Salumi, Fellah.

Sahara Trail
Nelson, London, 1972, illus John Roberts, 121 pp.
T Nelson, Nashville, 1974, 156 pp.

Fictionalised true story of a journey Abu Bader and his family take across the Sahara on their way to their
new home in Ghadaia, meeting horse thieves and all manner of other rogues.

Also:

Sahara Desert

Sahara Sunset

Possibly adult novels

Exiles in the Sahara - which sounds as if it has no horse content, but please tell me if you have the book and can provide definitive evidence!

Hoofbeats on the Prairie

Thomas Nelson & Sons, London, 1966, 122 pp.