The Green Horseman

“I wonder if every biographer feels a touch bereft, as I did, when it was finally time to let go their subject’s life, leaving certain questions unanswered, certain mysteries unsolved. But there were always the words-the books-that Marguerite left behind.”

― Lettie Teague, Dear Readers and Riders: The Beloved Books, Faithful Fans, and Hidden Private Life of Marguerite Henry

Back in May (May 10th) Trafalgar Square Books and Heels Down Mag held the 2nd annual Buy a Horse Book Day. Trafalgar Square offered customers 30% all day long sitewide(Buy a Horse Book Day!).

This year the theme was around Marguerite Henry as this marked the launch of the book, Dear Reads and Riders: The Beloved Books, Faithful Fans, and Hidden Private Life on Marguerite Henry. The biography was authored by Lettie Teague.

You get get your copy directly here at Trafalgar Square books!

I was a kid once…and I read quite a few of Marguerite’s books. I still remember my grandmother introducing me to Misty of Chincoteague…probably about 50 years after its first release. To this day I dream of, and plan to, visit Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. I imagine it made me feel the same way kids in the 40s,50,60s,70s,80s, and even the kids today felt when they first read the book for the first time. Her ability to tell a story and blend fiction with non-fiction is remarkable. It creates a world somewhere between fantasy and our own, and it’s a lovely world full of possibilities.

---

I had no idea what Marguerite’s life was like. She was an author I’ve respected and honored nearly my whole life yet who the woman was behind the words was a mystery. I found Dear Readers and Riders to be a wonderful welcome glimpse into Marguerite’s life.

I learned that Marguerite was housebound for six years with rheumatic fever. and how this led to her becoming an avid reader and writer. I learned about her hours spent writing and her working with librarians on the regular. Despite these years likely being very lonely, Lettie mentions that she described those years warmly. Anyone would be tempted to see this as a dark time or speak ill of those years, but not Marguerite. It speaks to her character.

Marguerite described her early childhood years with great nostalgia, imparting a warm glow to what surely must have been some lonely years, deprived of companions close to her own age.

― Lettie Teague, Dear Readers and Riders: The Beloved Books, Faithful Fans, and Hidden Private Life of Marguerite Henry

I enjoyed learning about Marguerite and her early years. We learned about her family, and how she met her husband. We learn about her first publications and the biography takes us through some of her most renowned books. We were given a “behind the scenes” view as to how the book came to be and what was going on in Marguerite’s life at the time.

In order to research her books Marguerite traveled the world. She met the real people and sometimes the real animals, experienced the places for herself. This is what made her stories so realistic.

I think what astonished me was the life she led at that time. Maybe I am mistaken but it seems uncommon that a woman in the mid twentieth century could live such a vibrant life and work so closely with another man (her illustrator Wesley Dennis) that wasn’t her husband. I find it fascinating and wish we could have explored that more.

---

Thirteen of Lettie’s chapters are dedicated solely to one story each; they were some of Marguerite’s most notable works. Among some favorites, Justin Morgan Had a Horse, Misty of Chincoteague, King of the Wind, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, Black Gold, Stormy Misty’s Foal. With each chapter Lettie included a letter to or from the author; some typed, some handwritten notes. We are also given numerous photos throughout the book. One that stood out was the night that Marguerite brought Misty into the ceremony for receiving her Newbery Medal at the American Library Association Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Lettie described “Misty Parties” and how neighborhood kids would frequent the Henry home, affectionately called “Mole Meadow.”

I enjoyed reading about the Breyer horse history as well as the movies based on Henry’s books.

---

Final Word:

Dear Readers and Riders was a biography all of us needed and I believe Lettie Teague pulled it off beautifully and respectfully. Many of us horse lovers have read a Marguerite Henry book at least once in their life. This biography gave us an inside view into Marguerite’s life and did so tastefully. It was well worded and well laid out. Easy to follow, easy to read.

Marguerite was as interesting a human as her books were, and she seemed to be very warm and genuine. If I had to offer a critique it would be that this book came decades too late. How I’d have loved to peer more into Marguerite’s mind and having her perspective. Yet it’s astonishing how much we DO have. We have all of those letters and documents to show for that.

Marguerite is a legend all on her own, and her memory lives on with decades of her fans. And now we have a worthy biography to tell her tale.

While Marguerite may have written her books many decades ago, when the world was (or at least seemed to be) a much less fractured, less terrifying place, her stories with their ethical messages have endured because they spark a timeless wish for connection-and love-not only with her characters and animals (mostly horses), but also with the author herself.
― Lettie Teague, Dear Readers and Riders: The Beloved Books, Faithful Fans, and Hidden Private Life of Marguerite Henry

---

I also want to add that I buy most of my horse books from Trafalgar Square Books. I’m excited to say that I am an affiliate with the publisher, and so proud to be. Trafalgar Square embodies the spirit of horse people…. they ARE horse people. The operation is based in an old barn in Vermont and run by only a few people…people you can talk to and meet in person at events. It’s not a big corporate conglomerate, and for that I am grateful. This happens to be one of such books. You can find your copy through my affiliate link here, it’ll let TSB know I sent you!

Dear Readers and Riders: Lettie Teague at Trafalgar Square Books