Goat in the Garden

Animal Ark [GB Order] #4

by Lucy Daniels

Book by Daniels, Lucy

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile, Novels

Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

About the author

Lucy Daniels is the collective name for the writing team that created the bestselling children's book series Animal Ark, many of the books are also published under the name of the series creator, Ben M. Baglio.

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of the American Scholastic edition. It's a shame that the edition was changed from the UK version. It's just silly to read of a character threatening to report someone to the SPCA when there is no SPCA in England. There they have the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). It's also odd to see Mandy (a native Brit) call her mother "Mom" instead of "Mum."



Anyway, this is my favorite of the Animal Arks I've read so far. It's a lively and surprisingly unpredictable story. It deals with the attempted killing of a goat. It shows how frustrating it is that these arseholes who deliberately try to kill a neighbor's animal usually cannot be prosecuted. Well -- not in a court of law. They can, however, be tried in the court of public opinion.

And the star is a goat named Houdini. There just aren't enough books about goats out there. It just seems odd that Mandy and James are so incredibly obsessed with goats in this book and then drop the goats like a hot kicking British Alpine for the rest of the series. Jenny Oldfield (the author's real name) does hint that the overburdened owner of the goat farm gets help from a potential boyfriend, freeing Mandy and James for other pursuits, but that's only a hint.

Another slight problem is that the cover artist for these books never seem to read the text. Houdini should be a black and white goat, NOT a pure black critter as seen here. In this case, the illustrator did a much better job than the cover artist. The cover goat looks more like a Cashmere than a British Alpine. This is a British Alpine:



This is a Cashmere:



It may seem strange to modern readers that this is the first time a cordless phone is mentioned (one of those mobile bricks from the early 1990s.) Even I blinked -- and I spent most of my life WITHOUT mobile phones. Keep in mind this was first published in 1994 and mobiles were priced out of most people's budgets.



It was good to see characters from the first and second books put in appearances. Welford seems like a nice fantasy place for me to escape to when the real world becomes too much! This was written by Jenny Oldfield, who wrote the majority of the first 40 books in the series.

This book was one of 13 that got made into a TV episode for ITV's 1997 series based on the Animal Ark series.

[Adrian Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book from the Animal Ark series because goats are even more contrary than cats and I was intrigued to see what they came up with in terms of storyline. It's a thoroughly enjoyable yarn about a goat called Houdini who keeps escaping. The young heroine Mandy, daughter of vets, behaves like a problem-solving young adult; a big sister figure for readers aged seven to ten. She befriends a reclusive goat farmer and makes her business more sustainable. Best friend James tags along and occasionally also offers ideas.

In the world they inhabit, an exclusively white, Elgar-compatible version of the Yorkshire Dales, kids are always listened to, their ideas are taken seriously and they always get thanked for their efforts. Adult behaviour is fully explained and there is no boredom. Conflict only ensues from aristocratic neighbours, here playing the part of pantomime baddies who object to Houdini appearing in their garden to scoff the ivy. The climax centres on the local show. It's almost the mythical John Major vision of England, with an ageing district nurse cycling along a country lane.

The book isn't written by Ben Baglio, or even the name on the UK edition, Lucy Daniels; these are just a collective marketing tag for a roster of jobbing writers. They are given a discreet credit, however, which reveals this volume was penned by Jenny Oldfield. The series was relaunched in 2018, meaning the original titles like this one have been quietly dropped, which is a shame.

[Katie (Kitkatscanread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
Houdini is a naughty escaping goat and he is so cheeky.
I got very annoyed at a character attempting to poison an animal.
The ending of this book made me feel happy.

[Sue Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book
love all the animal ark books
love reading about the animals
highly recommend the awesome stories ,all different

[Charlotte Hannawalt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3/5, if I was age 8-9 it would probably be higher though.

[Katherine Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

[Mella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have fond memories of reading Animal Ark as a kid. Along with all the other series I'm revisiting at the moment, I've decided to set out to read all of Animal Ark. I know I read a hell of a lot of them but I know I didn't quite get through the whole lot.

Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.

Houdini the Goat is a master escape artist intent on getting next door and eating Sam Western's prized plants. Houdini's owner, Lydia Fawcett runs High Cross Farm - a small rundown farm with a herd of goats. She sells the goat milk to a local cheese factory run by Mr Wintersgill but the farm is in disrepair and the money she earns is barely enough to cover the food. Houdini's constant escapes don't help - Sam Western is extremely angry that Houdini keeps getting in to his yard. So much so that this time Houdini crosses his path, Sam feeds him Rhododendron - a plant fatal to goats. Mandy and James find Houdini and Sam and rescue Houdini, but he's pretty ill. Her parents examine him and declare there's nothing else they can do but Mandy refuses to give up. She remembers an old countryman's remedy and begs her parents to try it.

Thankfully it works but Mandy comes to realise it's not as simple as just healing Houdini. The farm is in dire straits and Lydia can barely afford to feed the animals at all. Mandy as per usual, steps in. Her first step is to find extra food for the goats. She actually comes up with a pretty good idea, applying to the local grocery store to donate extra produce in return for the good publicity of helping out. When they say they couldn't afford to deliver it as well, Mandy and James volunteer to pick it up and ride it over on their bikes.

The next issue that needs to be rectified is the fences. Mr Hope suggests chain link - the type of fence that goes around tennis courts. Mandy does her research but can't find a way to possibly pay for it. Right up until she rides past the Parker Smythe place and finds workmen replacing their tennis court chain link. When she asks if she could have the old fencing, Mr Parker Smythe feels generous enough to give the workmen time off to run it up to Lydia's place. Then she's on the hunt for someone to put it up. Luckily Ernie Bell still has all his old tools and a bit of reverse psychology sees him volunteering for the job. (Which also seems to spark a hint of romance between Ernie and Lydia.)

Mandy's final project for the farm ties in with her school assignment to design an ad campaign. She comes up with the slogan, 'High Cross Goats' Milk. Nature's Best.' and persuades Lydia to sell her milk directly to the local health stores and consumers to increase her finances. She makes a killing at the local show when she opens a stall to sell her milk and cheese.

I liked this one. Mandy's ideas for saving the farm were creative and interesting. I enjoyed reading about Houdini's escape attempts. And I enjoyed Mandy and James inspired problem solving in getting Ernie (and how they get Ernie) to help out. 4 stars for me and target audience.

[A.R. Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this is the best book in the series so far. The story is unambitious, which is just what these books ought to be, in my opinion; it ticks along nicely, with plot and characterisation making more than enough sense throughout. The writing has more character than in previous instalments, and it is this that makes it enjoyable and reasonably compelling; as ever, there aren't a lot of surprises, but perhaps one or two gentle shocks that the reader can be pretty confident will turn out all right.

The guest animal owner is, I feel, the most vivid and compelling so far; the quality of the writing here really has come up a notch (I'm now wondering if all books giving 'special thanks to Jenny Oldfield' will be of a similar standard). Lydia's goat farm is a lively and unusual setting, thanks to the goats themselves, and to its total isolation from civilised Welford. Okay, this may not be the most original idea in the world, but I wouldn't ask such a thing from Animal Ark; I only wish all the unchallenging, somewhat familiar storylines could be as well realised as this one. I'll admit, one or two imperfections here and there took me out of it for moments at a time, but not for whole pages or chapters as before; the author made it easier than ever for me to get behind Mandy and James in their endeavours to help the local animals.

I want to give a special mention to the birthing scene; it finds just the right balance between being truthful and being written for children, while the individual characterisation of Mandy, James and Lydia brings it very much to life.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Houdini the goat lives up to his name. He can escape from any enclosure. And the neighbor's precise gardens are a great place to invade.
The British Alpine goats belong to an older woman living in poverty. Yet her goats do support her in a very simple lifestyle. They are her pride and joy.
Cassie is the daughter of local veterinarians and loves animals and people. She first rescues Houdini, then meets his owner and then finds a way to help her.
The ending is delightful.
This is a quick fun book to read.

[Madison Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book in like third grade and it seemed a little boring and too long for me.

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

animal ark series

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animal ark series great for girls that love animals. A vet's daughter helps with various people and their animals.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the only one of these books I bothered reading, though it was very good. Well kids are supposed to love animals, so this series is going to have some appeal.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this Animal Ark book, Mandy must save a goat named Houdini.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great series for kids in late elementary school.

[Sammy]

I was completely obsessed with this series of books when I was a child and my aim was to read every single book. They are a really good children's series.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good for people that love animals, like me :)

[Netta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha! So cute!