About the author
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, and Son of the Sahara are easy to find, though pricing is variable; Stallion of the Desert is pricier; and Hoofbeats on the Prairie and Sahara Trail are easy to find and usually cheap.
Links and sources
Son of the Sahara on IMDB
Dustjacket, Sahara Trail
Series
Ruth and Jeff
Drinker of the Wind
Sahara Hostage
Bibliography (pony books only)
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 toEngland. No sooner had they reached the stallion when Shalimar disappeared, stolen.

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.

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.

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.

Hoofbeats on the Prairie
Thomas Nelson & Sons, London, 1966, 122 pp.

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.
