About the author
Pauline Devine was born in Loughrea, County Galway, and studied at University College, Dublin, Trinity College and Sydney University. During her career she has been a Writer-in-residence in Ireland, Wales and the USA, and has worked variously as a journalist, teacher, adjudicator and editor. She was involved with her local pony club, and has exhibited (successfully) at the Dublin Horse Show. Pauline Devine has written several pony books, two of which, Best Friends and Best Friends Again, are about the same characters, Sarah and Paula. The author felt that many pony books read like straight instructional manuals; or if not this, were too light on realistic detail. Her books, she hoped overcame both these problems. She said:
‘Pony lovers have other sides to their lives besides mucking out at 7 am, skipping out at 9 am, feeding at 11 am, and exercising at noon. They live in a family, have neighbours and friends, and sometimes meet strangers who lead them into adventure.’
Finding the books
All titles are still in print, and are very easily found on the secondhand market.
Sources and links
Some biographical information on the author
Biographical information in Riders by the Grey Lake, 1996
Bibliography (pony books only)
The Hungry Horse: The Land of Inbetween
Glendale, 1988, 64 pp.
The Children’s Press, Dublin, 2001, illus Terry Myler. .
Mercier Press, Blackrock, Ireland,
A wise king lived in the Land of In Between. When he died, his kingdom was divided between his two sons, and this meant trouble. Huff and Puff divided the kingdom. King Huff’s horse was put under a spell, and when this happened, only Peaky and Princess Pom Pom, King Puff’s daughter, can save him.
Best Friends
The Children’s Press, Dublin, 1994, illus Terry Myler. 192 pp.
The Children’s Press, Dublin, 1999, illus Terry Myler. 192 pp.Mercier Press, Blackrock, Ireland,
Sarah and her pony Bluebell experience triumph and near-tragedy.
Best Friends Again
The Children’s Press, Dublin, 1996, illus Terry Myler. 128 pp.
Anvil Books Ltd, 2000
Mercier Press, Blackrock, Ireland,
Sarah and her friend Paula are looking forward to the Junior Hunt, but a newcomer sets their world by the ears.
Riders By the Grey Lake
The Children’s Press, Dublin, 1996, illus Terry Myler. 144 pp.
Mercier Press, Blackrock, Ireland,
Eithne and Mandy are cousins, but they’re very different, as are their ponies and their parents. Eithne’s mother wants to stop the plan to mine in the mountain of Knocanore, whereas Mandy’s father is looking forward to the prosperity the mine will bring. One day, next to the grey lake, Eithne sees a boy on a wonderful white horse…
