Brenda E. Spender

Brenda Elizabeth Spender is a British author. She is probably best known for her series of sketches about childhood, illustrated by notable artist J. H. Dowd.

Of more interest to horsy readers are some of her later books. In the 1930s she wrote a short series of pony books for younger readers about a loveable little boy. These were however not illustrated by Dowd but by Barbara Turner. She also wrote another children's book which is aimed at a slightly older readership and is an adventure/mystery story with just a very little pony content. All the books have lovely illustrations.

On'y Tony Series:
Younger readers pony series about the adventures of the oddly named little boy On'y Tony. Charming although very old fashioned and set at quite a young readership level. The ponies Pickles and Crackers appear to be based on real life horses known by the author.

1) ON'Y TONY: THE STORY OF THREE PONIES AND A LITTLE BOY
(COUNTRY LIFE 1935)
ILLUSTRATED BY BARBARA TURNER
Reprinted in hardback a couple of times by original publisher.
SUMMARY: On'y Tony is a six year old boy who has been living abroad. When he goes to England to stay with his grandmother he learns to ride on the ponies Pickles and Crackers.

2) ON'Y TONY'S CIRCUS
(COUNTRY LIFE 1936)
ILLUSTRATED BY BARBARA TURNER
Reprinted in hardback a couple of times by original publisher.
SUMMARY: Tony and his godmother Jane, along with ponies Pickles and Crackers,  go on a riding holiday in Exmoor.

3) ON'Y TONY AND THE DRAGON
(COUNTRY LIFE 1938)
ILLUSTRATED BY BARBARA TURNER
SUMMARY: Tony's Exmoor pony is due to arrive for his seventh birthday! There is also more excitement when he gets involved with a runaway boy.
PONYMADBOOKLOVERS RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

Collectors Info:
The first two books in the series are fairly easy to find in the UK and can also be found in the USA. The last one in the series, unlike its predecessors, did not appear to have been reprinted at all and is a little harder to find than the other two, especially outside of the UK.

Other Horse & Pony Books:

FRIENDS OF VAN
(COUNTRY LIFE 1949)
ILLUSTRATED BY STANLEY LLOYD
SUMMARY: Slight pony content only. Brother and sister Bip and Tina are out riding one day when they notice the prostrate figure of a boy. As they are St. John's Ambulance cadets and learning first aid they decide to see if the boy needs help. But they find instead a boy who has been crying. The boy Van confides to them that he has been thrown off his sailor's training course as he has been accused of cheating, but pleads his innocence. The children and later their mother, believe that he is innocent and befriend him, teaching him to ride on their ponies. They also decide that they will get to the bottom of the mystery, and in doing so get involved in an exciting adventure.
PONYMADBOOKLOVERS RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

Collectors Info:
Reasonably easy to find in the UK. Can be found in the USA also, but may be fairly expensive. Rare elsewhere.