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Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley
There's nothing Molly wants more than a horse of her very own. She doesn't care if it's a filly or a colt. Just as long as it's young and strong and can gallop faster than mean Freddy Westover's old mare Della. Then Molly's dream comes true: She's getting her own horse! But the mare she gets isn't quite what Molly wanted. Lady Sue's so old and worn out, she's probably slower than Della! But Lady Sue has a surprise for Molly that's better than anything—a baby mule! Molly plans to turn Brown Sunshine into a hard worker and a good friend. But Brown Sunshine just may have a few surprises in store for her.
100 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
12 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Henry
130 books760 followersMarguerite Henry (April 13, 1902–November 26, 1997) was an American writer. The author of fifty-nine books based on true stories of horses and other animals, her work has captivated entire generations of children and young adults and won several Newbery Awards and Honors. Among the more famous of her works was Misty of Chincoteague, which was the basis for the 1961 movie Misty, and several sequel books.
"It is exciting to me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower ... even in the new age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder and challenge." This quote was from an article about Henry published in the Washington Post on November 28, 1997, in response to a query about her drive to write about horses.
Marguerite Henry inspired children all over the world with her love of animals, especially horses. Author of over fifty children's stories, including the Misty of Chincoteague series, Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with a rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Soon afterward, she also discovered a love for writing when her father, a publisher, presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. On the top of stacks of colored paper her father wrote, "Dear Last of the Mohicans: Not a penny for your thoughts, but a tablet. Merry Christmas! Pappa Louis XXXX."
Henry's first published work came at the age of eleven, a short story about a collie and a group of children, which she sold to a magazine for $12. Henry always wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite's stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois.
In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon—were made into movies.
She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
"It is exciting to me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower ... even in the new age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder and challenge." This quote was from an article about Henry published in the Washington Post on November 28, 1997, in response to a query about her drive to write about horses.
Marguerite Henry inspired children all over the world with her love of animals, especially horses. Author of over fifty children's stories, including the Misty of Chincoteague series, Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with a rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Soon afterward, she also discovered a love for writing when her father, a publisher, presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. On the top of stacks of colored paper her father wrote, "Dear Last of the Mohicans: Not a penny for your thoughts, but a tablet. Merry Christmas! Pappa Louis XXXX."
Henry's first published work came at the age of eleven, a short story about a collie and a group of children, which she sold to a magazine for $12. Henry always wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite's stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois.
In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon—were made into movies.
She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 22, 2021
Nov 21, 11pm ~~ Review asap.
Nov 22, 215pm ~~ I ordered this book along with a couple of other Marguerite Henry titles in the middle of my recent horse-book fit. This one I had never heard of as a child, and as it turns out the reason for that was that the story itself was copyrighted in 1996 and this edition was published in 1998. That explained how I missed it when I was reading the Misty books and so many others way back when. lol
This is a sweet little story about a girl in Tennessee who dreams of having a horse of her own, but she knows that dream has a slim chance of coming true. She has overheard serious talk between her parents about 'making ends meet', but she still dreams of someday owning her very own horse. If only to show off to the annoying neighbor boy who actually shows his own Tennessee Walker horse AND has a dog besides. (Great name for a dog here, by the way: a Weimaraner called Smokestack.)
But for Molly's tenth birthday, Dad takes her to a horse auction and they come home with their very own horse. I say 'their' because Dad is almost more excited than Molly and declares that he will ride the horse every Sunday, but the rest of the time the mare is all hers. Molly is not as thrilled as she thought she would be: she wanted a young horse and she got an older mare. Sweet character, but older and not nearly the type of horse she had imagined for herself.
But Lady Sue has a surprise in store for Molly and her family. A surprise with long ears: a mule colt! How will Molly respond to this amazing event?
As I said, this was a sweet little story, and certainly had all the elements of the longer Henry books. It moved very fast, though, galloping through three years in just 100 pages. I understand that this was certainly one of the author's final books, and she may very well have been writing to beat her own inner clock, but I was still surprised at how quickly everything happened here, and could not get over the feeling that I was reading what may have been a first draft of something meant to be fleshed out in the future.
But I still enjoyed it because there are really very few mule stories out there, at least I have not seen very many. Mules are wonderful, intriguing beasties, and it was nice to see them celebrated here.
And by the way, this book marks the official end of my horse-book fit. I still have plenty of others to read, but I will save them and spread them out next year. Now I am ready for what I think of as a Free For All End Of The Year. No lists, no challenges, just whatever the Book Universe points me to next. Yee-Haw!!
Nov 22, 215pm ~~ I ordered this book along with a couple of other Marguerite Henry titles in the middle of my recent horse-book fit. This one I had never heard of as a child, and as it turns out the reason for that was that the story itself was copyrighted in 1996 and this edition was published in 1998. That explained how I missed it when I was reading the Misty books and so many others way back when. lol
This is a sweet little story about a girl in Tennessee who dreams of having a horse of her own, but she knows that dream has a slim chance of coming true. She has overheard serious talk between her parents about 'making ends meet', but she still dreams of someday owning her very own horse. If only to show off to the annoying neighbor boy who actually shows his own Tennessee Walker horse AND has a dog besides. (Great name for a dog here, by the way: a Weimaraner called Smokestack.)
But for Molly's tenth birthday, Dad takes her to a horse auction and they come home with their very own horse. I say 'their' because Dad is almost more excited than Molly and declares that he will ride the horse every Sunday, but the rest of the time the mare is all hers. Molly is not as thrilled as she thought she would be: she wanted a young horse and she got an older mare. Sweet character, but older and not nearly the type of horse she had imagined for herself.
But Lady Sue has a surprise in store for Molly and her family. A surprise with long ears: a mule colt! How will Molly respond to this amazing event?
As I said, this was a sweet little story, and certainly had all the elements of the longer Henry books. It moved very fast, though, galloping through three years in just 100 pages. I understand that this was certainly one of the author's final books, and she may very well have been writing to beat her own inner clock, but I was still surprised at how quickly everything happened here, and could not get over the feeling that I was reading what may have been a first draft of something meant to be fleshed out in the future.
But I still enjoyed it because there are really very few mule stories out there, at least I have not seen very many. Mules are wonderful, intriguing beasties, and it was nice to see them celebrated here.
And by the way, this book marks the official end of my horse-book fit. I still have plenty of others to read, but I will save them and spread them out next year. Now I am ready for what I think of as a Free For All End Of The Year. No lists, no challenges, just whatever the Book Universe points me to next. Yee-Haw!!
April 28, 2022
This was Marguerite Henry's last published book before her death. While the story was not my favorite, it is a great first chapter book for early readers.
February 10, 2016
*Sigh* It was great re-reading this book! 100 pages of memories :)
November 2, 2017
Marguerite Henry's last book, and one of two published in my lifetime, although I wouldn't realize its significance until after the fact. I just remember the excitement of seeing a new Henry book turn up on the library shelf. I love the twofold lesson that a) sometimes there is more than meets the eye to a shabby-looking product of neglect, and such horses can be rejuvenated with proper care and feeding, and b) mules are great and anyone should be proud to own one.
May 23, 2014
Molly wants to ride. She wants it so desperately she is even willing to put up with that overbearing Freddy-from-next-door in order to win a couple minutes a day on an ancient mare.
Then Molly’s dream day arrives! Her father takes her to a horse auction, with seventy dollars in his pocket so that Molly can have a horse of her very own. She doesn’t even require a horse. A mule would do as well, as long as the creature is young! But as each colt and filly steps onto the auction block, her father’s seventy dollars are outbid. As the other bidders drift away, with only one questionable mare left for purchase, Molly wonders if her dream will ever come true.
A sweet beginning reader from one of the greatest authors of horse stories ever. Great for kids ages 7-9, though I am proof that the book is enjoyable for the young-at-heart as well.
Then Molly’s dream day arrives! Her father takes her to a horse auction, with seventy dollars in his pocket so that Molly can have a horse of her very own. She doesn’t even require a horse. A mule would do as well, as long as the creature is young! But as each colt and filly steps onto the auction block, her father’s seventy dollars are outbid. As the other bidders drift away, with only one questionable mare left for purchase, Molly wonders if her dream will ever come true.
A sweet beginning reader from one of the greatest authors of horse stories ever. Great for kids ages 7-9, though I am proof that the book is enjoyable for the young-at-heart as well.
May 12, 2016
I feel bad giving it such a low rating, but it isn't that great of a book. I didn't think it was written very well at all when I was horse-crazy around eleven, and I haven't thought that in the rereadings since. But considering that Marguerite Henry was 94 when she wrote this, it's very good; because who else works that late in life? It's sort of like cotton candy; because while it's a sweet story, it disappears almost immediately after finishing (figuratively, but also literally, since it's a little over a hundred pages.)
May 20, 2009
A pretty pointless book, really. Even if you were a kid who couldn't get enough of horses, I don't think you would enjoy this book much. There was really no excitement or action to keep you reading. The one good thing was that it was short and effortless to read.
August 22, 2023
I've come to realize that I really, really enjoy Marguerite Henry, and not just for nostalgia value. She's a solidly good writer.
So I was quite glad to happen across this little volume, and I am quite glad to have read it, even though it's not my favorite of her works.
It was cute, y'know.
I learned a lot about mules.
So I was quite glad to happen across this little volume, and I am quite glad to have read it, even though it's not my favorite of her works.
It was cute, y'know.
I learned a lot about mules.
April 15, 2015
Molly wants badly to have a fancy show horse that will rival any owned by snobbish Freddy Westover. At the horse auction, however, Molly and her father must settle for a seemingly frail mare named Lady Sue. Molly grows to love Lady Sue as she slowly regains her health. Imagine Molly’s surprise when Lady Sue gives birth to a baby mule! Molly takes an active part in rearing and training of this mule, whom she named Brown Sunshine, and is motivated to learn all she can about mules. Brown Sunshine’s training pays off two years later, when he is crowned King Mule at the annual Mule Day parade.
Cheerful and pleasant page turner from the author of, among other things, Misty of Chincoteague. The gentile pencil drawings add to the appeal for horse lovers, especially ones who are fans of the Saddle Club paperback series. Good choice for 4-5th grade.
Cheerful and pleasant page turner from the author of, among other things, Misty of Chincoteague. The gentile pencil drawings add to the appeal for horse lovers, especially ones who are fans of the Saddle Club paperback series. Good choice for 4-5th grade.
March 24, 2013
“Horse Crazy in Tennessee”
This read-in-one-sitting book by the author of MISTY OF CHINCOTEAUGE is presented in both diary format (first person) and standard narrative form (third person). You will be kept on your toes as chapters alternate in style--even switching back and forth in the same chapter. But this lightweight tale introduces readers to the world of mules—their history and under-appreciated value. Molly (aged 10-13) acquires a young mule as a surprise, thanks to her father’s wise faith in a lean, older mare. This gently-paced story praises human caring for animal and their loyal service to mankind. A simple storyline which will appeal to pre-teen girls who love horses.
(July 28, 2010 . I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
This read-in-one-sitting book by the author of MISTY OF CHINCOTEAUGE is presented in both diary format (first person) and standard narrative form (third person). You will be kept on your toes as chapters alternate in style--even switching back and forth in the same chapter. But this lightweight tale introduces readers to the world of mules—their history and under-appreciated value. Molly (aged 10-13) acquires a young mule as a surprise, thanks to her father’s wise faith in a lean, older mare. This gently-paced story praises human caring for animal and their loyal service to mankind. A simple storyline which will appeal to pre-teen girls who love horses.
(July 28, 2010 . I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
February 24, 2015
This book seemed for a younger audience than Henry's other books. It is also about a mule.
This is a short book but very readable for younger girls especially. It is a bit shallower in character development. The characters are more stereotyped.
The little mule is fun. Mules suffer undeservedly from bad press. Interestingly the book does mention that, although all are called mules and people often think all mules are the same, there are many kinds of mules developed for many different tasks. Gaited, jumping, riding mules and draft mules are only a few.
Marguerite Henry seems always a good read for those who love equines. This book is no exception.
This is a short book but very readable for younger girls especially. It is a bit shallower in character development. The characters are more stereotyped.
The little mule is fun. Mules suffer undeservedly from bad press. Interestingly the book does mention that, although all are called mules and people often think all mules are the same, there are many kinds of mules developed for many different tasks. Gaited, jumping, riding mules and draft mules are only a few.
Marguerite Henry seems always a good read for those who love equines. This book is no exception.
April 10, 2009
This is a nice, sweet horse story that the expert on such literary matters of an equine nature wrote near the end of her great career. Marguerite Henry knew and loved horses, for sure, and that admiration and affection leaked forth from every part of the horse stories that she wrote.
This short tale is worth the read, and people who have liked Marguerite Henry's compelling books in the past (I am included in that group) will enjoy this warm new adventure of a girl who wanted a horse and was instead given a mule.
This short tale is worth the read, and people who have liked Marguerite Henry's compelling books in the past (I am included in that group) will enjoy this warm new adventure of a girl who wanted a horse and was instead given a mule.
April 16, 2016
While this isn't quite a horse story (being about a mule), the flavor of all the previous Marguerite Henry books that I'd read throughout my childhood came back in full force only too much abbreviated. I wish that she'd taken more time to tell the story. The illustrations were spot on, the children very real and believable. I wish that I'd come to really enjoy the mule more. I felt almost like the story wasn't about him so much as it was about the other characters, which I regretted somewhat. So...could have been better. But if you love books by this author, you certainly can't go wrong.
May 27, 2009
Molly has wanted a horse for a very long time and she finally gets one for her birthday. At first she is disappointed in Lady Sue as she is an older horse, but Lady Sue has quite a wonderful surprise for Molly, a baby mule. Lady Sue and the baby mule, Brown Sunshine are great additions to the household and bring about a lot of wonderful events. This is a great book for horse lovers and all animal lovers.
July 9, 2014
This was the last book that Marguerite Henry wrote. After reading Misty of Chincoteague with the Vintage Book Circle I wanted to try it. When I was a kid I wanted lots of detail about how horses were trained and what riders did to improve their riding. Both of these books were very light on the detail. Good story. Made me interested in finding out more about mules.
December 26, 2017
Many will be familiar with horse book author Marguerite Henry. The name is often associated with the book Misty of Chincoteague. In another book by the same author, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley focuses on the attributes of the mule.
Read more at http://equus-blog.com/brown-sunshine-...
Read more at http://equus-blog.com/brown-sunshine-...
January 8, 2019
Eh. I feel bad giving it such a low rating, especially considering it was Marguerite Henry's final book (at age 94), but it just felt really rushed, and the characters were all really flat. It can't begin to approach her wonderful Misty books, Black Gold, or my favorite King of the Wind, all of which I still enjoy in my 40's.
January 7, 2013
A decent option for a horse-loving girl that doesn't want giant amounts of heartache and drama! I didn't love this book but I don't think B. noticed what I did. The illustrations were lovely sketches.
October 16, 2011
A story of a girl’s dream of a horse and how the mule she receives brings her, her family, and a boy closer together.
October 28, 2015
Time: Recent past
Place: Modest farm in Sawdust Valley
Pages: 100
Quick read. Simple. Beautifully written. What's not to like about a story of a mule?
Place: Modest farm in Sawdust Valley
Pages: 100
Quick read. Simple. Beautifully written. What's not to like about a story of a mule?
January 17, 2014
It was really cool. I thought it had a horse in it, but it was a mule. When the daughter got it, she named it "Brown Sunshine". I really liked it! One of my favorite Marguerite Henry books.
October 21, 2014
Another horse book by Henry. Molly wants a horse of her own. Nice
surprise happens. Pleasant, easy read.
surprise happens. Pleasant, easy read.
May 6, 2016
One of my favorites by Marguerite Henry.
November 28, 2020
This was Henry's last book, and there is a mention of "my mom's favorite CD" in the beginning, but then we slip, temporally, into a nondescript time when people are using horse carts and buggies, and everyone in Tennessee seems to use or want to use a mule and a plow, and nobody has farm machinery. Perhaps Tennessee is indeed like this.
There is little to no tension in this book. The neighbor lad is abusive and nasty about the mule for a while but then changes his mind. The mule is crowned King. The main character does great in school, writes an award-winning essay about mules and is feted across America, mom's jam business takes off despite the family being impoverished, everyone loves the mule, and they all live happily ever after about the fifth chapter in the book. If you're looking for a zero-impact tale to read to your Covid-shattered loved ones who need a bit of comfort, here's one for you.
There is little to no tension in this book. The neighbor lad is abusive and nasty about the mule for a while but then changes his mind. The mule is crowned King. The main character does great in school, writes an award-winning essay about mules and is feted across America, mom's jam business takes off despite the family being impoverished, everyone loves the mule, and they all live happily ever after about the fifth chapter in the book. If you're looking for a zero-impact tale to read to your Covid-shattered loved ones who need a bit of comfort, here's one for you.
September 29, 2019
I came across this book when I was sorting books that had been donated for a mission project. I loved Marguerite Henry's books when I was a girl and have reread several as an adult but didn't remember ever hearing of this one so I took it home to read. It is a gentle story of a girl who longs for her own horse but is disappointed when her father finally purchases what seems to be a worn out nag. But with loving care, the mare is beginning to look more like the horse of Molly's dreams. To everyone's surprise Lady Sue gives birth to a baby mule and Molly is instantly captivated. The story is rather predictable but should be enjoyed by children who loves horse books.
December 30, 2025
It was just okay. Not crazy entertaining, not crazy boring. A true middle of the road read. Not much really happened, so it was a bit slow and boring for my action-packed mind, lol.
Two things that stood out as odd were her saying boy colt (what? Lol.) and the auction scene where that lady bid $25 then the auctioneer said something along the lines of who will bid $70, which is an enormous gap. I get that the auctioneer probably knew they only had that much at that point and was just ripping them off, but still. Shoulda offered $30 and saved a ton of money.
Two things that stood out as odd were her saying boy colt (what? Lol.) and the auction scene where that lady bid $25 then the auctioneer said something along the lines of who will bid $70, which is an enormous gap. I get that the auctioneer probably knew they only had that much at that point and was just ripping them off, but still. Shoulda offered $30 and saved a ton of money.
February 14, 2020
I think this is a amazing book because if you suddenly stop reading you are left hanging there, and I was very anticipated to find out what happens next.I kept wondering if something bad would happen, but books are like that. It really gave me a feeling... the feeling you get when something wonderful is going to happen.
July 15, 2025
Delightful. Well geared towards a young girl but not childish nor frilly. Henry's way with animals and nature and relationships is insightful, allowing one to observe through her stories.
--a young girl desires a horse and gets more than she expected yet in a surprising way through an older mare and baby mule
--a young girl desires a horse and gets more than she expected yet in a surprising way through an older mare and baby mule
January 14, 2021
While Brown Sunshine is not my favorite of Marguerite Henry's books, it was a sweet and very enjoyable read-aloud for L. I particularly appreciated our heroine's discovery that sometimes, not getting the thing we desperately want is the best gift of all.
November 5, 2023
I adore this little tale. As a young girl, I read and re-read this story probably a dozen times. Anyone who wants a story that brings you back into a small-town world with unforgettable characters and adorable, spindly-legged foals will love this one! <3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews