Mare in the Meadow

Animal Ark [GB Order] #51

by Ben M. Baglio, Ann Baum (Illustrator)

This newest Animal Ark title will provide cozy reading for animal lovers everywhere. With sales of over 6 million books worldwide, the Animal Ark franchise is a hit with young readers.

Mandy and James are having trouble finding enough time to give Chamomile -- a mare whose owner has left the country -- all the attention and exercise she needs. When they meet Rhian, a girl who lives next to Chamomile's field, they hope she will help them out. But Rhian doesn't want to get to know the horse -- and she doesn't want to tell anyone why not.

Can Mandy convince her new friend to care for Chamomile -- or will the horse have to be sold?

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

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Ben M. Baglio created the brief for two series of children's books - Dolphin Diaries and Animal Ark. Dolphin Diaries features a girl and her family from Florida, who travel around the world as marine biologists and study dolphins. Animal Ark features two children who work together to help animals and solve animal-related mysteries. The books were written by commissioned writers in the UK under Baglio's instruction using the pseudonym Lucy Daniels. Each ghostwriter is named with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page.

Using his real name he also wrote the book series The Pet Finders Club, featuring a group of three children who search for peoples lost pets.

Reviews

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a 5 star story! Its sweet and yet very emotional at the same time, one of those very touching ones. It's about a tough girl and a horse who can save each other if they only try...but will they? Because it can be hard to trust somebody after you've been hurt emotionally. It actually takes a lot of bravery you know. You have to open up your heart and that can lead to hurt...but also to incredible friendships. And what is better than a girl and a horse? Riding is also very soothing, great for one's mood and it's great exercise.

I admit I am new to riding horses but there were a few scenes in here that I didn't understand. This book series seems to take place in England (??) so maybe things are different there but I don't get how can you tighten the girth of the saddle when you are already sitting in it? Because I have been taught you tighten the girth, lead the horse for a short walk and then tighten it more. Then you get in the saddle. But being able to tighten it in the saddle just confuses me!

This story was much better than the previous one I just read, Horse in the House. It's more about a human - equine relationship and more interesting too. More deeper. It moves at a good pace and the side plot - about a new nurse at the vet clinic - was actually interesting as well... Lots of minor mishaps kept the plot intense and create suspense.

The book also explains one of the most feared horse illnesses but I won't say which. Because I don't give out spoilers.

Really enjoyed this one!

[Olive · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good and entertaining. I only read 5-star books. The story had a good flow.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a review of the American Scholastic edition. It was originally published in the UK by Hodder. Despite the author name on the cover, the real author was Jennie Walters. The illustrator was correctly identified as Ann Baum.

I've read most of the Animal Ark books, and they tend to blur together in my mind. This one stood out because it was so predictable. You knew by the end of chapter three how it was going to turn out for Chamomile, the palomino mare. Now, granted, I'm about 42 years older than the target audience. However, I have a feeling that even readers of the target audience could see the end coming a mile off.

The other memorable part is that Simon got to go on holiday. I think this the only the second time he managed to get one. His temp is named Sarah. Her time at Animal Ark veterinary practice makes up the B plot. That was a little more unpredictable ... but not by much.

The issue of grief is handled well here, and the only reason why I gave this book three stars instead of two. I read this book a few months after I'd been so overwhelmed by grief that I tried to kill myself. So, I could really appreciate how respectfully James and Mandy treats a girl going through grief.

Barney the brown bunny, and his human John, introduced in Bunnies in the Bathroom, make an important and dramatic cameo here. Blackie doesn't do much here, which was a shame, since he was my favorite character in the series. Smoky the cat has a cameo, too.

Many of the Animal Ark books were written as stand-alone books, with only enough background given to fit into the current book's plots. This one works a little better as a stand-alone book, but it does help to read at least a few of the previous books. Just keep in mind that, for some reason unknown to us mere mortals, Mandy no longer has her three rabbits.

There is a minor continuity error in this book. One if Walter's cats is given a wrong name.

[Pasta Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book! It had good, accurate information about horse care and horse riding, as well as good advice for certain medical situations that may come with horses. I love the way they handled the topic of colic in the story. Polo passed from an extreme case, and Chamomile was shows to have a less extreme case and survived. They stressed that colic isn’t a disease itself, but rather a symptom of disease, which I don’t hear enough in horse books when colic is addressed. I loved the descriptions of the care and riding of Chamomile as well. They used proper terms for brushes, tack parts, and gaits, which is more than I can say about some series of books that solely focus on horses.
There was also some really good character development. Both Sarah and Rhian were almost unlikeable at first. Admittedly, I didn’t care for Rhian at all when she was first introduced. However, her character grew on me over the course of the book. Sarah I liked from the beginning, though she did get annoying at times. Both of them got a good explanation for their behavior by the end of the book, and they’re very much lovable! I also liked the honesty the book had for situations like this with horses. Selling horses, no matter how much you love them, is a thing that happens frequently in the horse world for various reasons. I’m very glad that Rhian worked out and was able to care for Chamomile, but the plot point of selling Chamomile was a very good reality check.
Giving this book four stars simply because there was a single plot point that didn’t sit quite right with me. I felt like Mandy’s “plan” relied heavily on emotional manipulation, and that didn’t really feel right to me, no matter the reason for it or the outcome.

[Tessie Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jak já milovala Archu zvířat, Mandy a Jamese a spoustu zvířátek, co se tam objevila. Knížka je od 9 let, je to nádherný dětský příběh plný zvířátek, přátelství a důvěry. Tento příběh byl úžasná oddechovka a pro takového milovníka zvířat to pravé ořechové ;D.J en mi nebyla vůbec sympatická Polly, měnila pořád názor a chovala se dost hnusně, i když byla mladší.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could have every animal that I read about as a pet... something about animal books just hit me in that spot

[Jennifer Poltonavage]

This book is currently fun to read , I feel that I can relate to the character name Mandy Hope.

[swsreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Willy Acosta]

Animal Ark is one of the best books for developing interest in reading, at least for kids that love animals.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. 🤍

[Rachel Tiebauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed a break after Voltaire (see my 2018 reading list). Loved this series when I was younger, and this sweet story did not disappoint.

PLEASE LET ME MOVE TO ENGLAND, GET A PASTURE, TAKE CARE OF ANIMALS, DRINK TEA, AND READ.

It’s really not much to ask for, right?!

Sean: “What do you wanna do?”

Will (after dodging the question for an eternity): “I wanna be a shepherd.”

Sean: “Really.”

Will: “I wanna move up to Nashua, get a little spread, get some sheep, and tend to them.”

He was being a smart aleck, but I deeply relate.

[Jose c · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t really like this book but I would recommend a girl who likes horses. This is the kind of book with passion and lots of details. James and Mandy are trying to get more time for Chamomile but they aren’t having such a grate time on it. This is a mare whose owner left the country. They were trying to get help from Rhian, chamomiles neighbor. But Rhian don’t want to meet chamomiles. So no one knows and deftly dosent wants any one to know why. Would Mandy would get Rhian to help them with the horse. I think the author hade lived this some time because it felt like it would be a real story. If you love horses and you like adventure please read it.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read. Any horse lovers dream. This book is meant for younger readers, but anyone who loves horses and enjoys a few adventures will enjoy the book. I like the Animal Ark series books because of the love that everyone has for the animals and other people. I like the way the characters work together to solve problems and never undermine a child's ideas. Like to see a happy ending.

[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.

I was also completely horse obsessed when I was younger as I had my own pony. So this book was one of my favourite Animal Ark books.

[Devan Outzen]

I am on page 32. So far a boy named James and a girl named Mandy, found an abandond mare and are trying to give it a lot of exercise.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor girl. So lonley.

[Kenyan · Rating 2 out of 5]

yes this is a book for younger readers, yet I find it enjoyable-no serous or complicated problems.

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I luvexd the book it was justa little to short

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Animal Ark book is probably one of my favorites, although I am unsure as to the cause of such a cling to this particular one.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to love reading this series when I was younger.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a first grader and avid horse lover I picked this out at the book fair, because it had a horse on it. I don't remember much about it, except that I enjoyed reading it.

[Timika · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was good

[Alexandra Lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is one of the best animal ark series book. I love it.

[Sammy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

COOL!

[Morgan]

"own"

[Emily K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book!!

[Lianna Kendig · Rating 4 out of 5]

(LL)
Even though it’s yet another horse book, it’s a good story with some Tim hung different brought to the table. Many of the characters are predictable, but it’s still a good story nonetheless.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

good/ interesting book

[Kylie]

zzzz