Trafalgar Square Books (TrafalgarBooks.com) is thrilled to announce the official release of DEAR READERS AND RIDERS: THE BELOVED BOOKS, FAITHFUL FANS, AND HIDDEN PRIVATE LIFE OF MARGUERITE HENRY by Wall Street Journal columnist Lettie Teague.
In certain circles, her name inspires immediate recognition and pronouncements of a committed admiration that has likely spanned decades. As an author, Marguerite Henry was indeed remarkably prolific, with 59 books published, millions of copies sold, and nearly 80 years of her life spent writing them—or responding personally to the stacks of fan mail she received. Her books, most meticulously researched historical fiction about influential horses and the hosts of fascinating characters who surrounded them—to name just a few, her Newbery Award winner King of the Wind, the book that changed an island Misty of Chincoteague, and the glowingly reviewed Justin Morgan Had a Horse—have had an outsized influence on those who grew up reading them, ultimately leading to writing careers and lives dedicated to riding and caring for horses and other animals.
But despite a professional existence that became profoundly public, particularly after Misty of Chincoteague, published in 1947, became a bestseller and eventually a popular feature film in 1961, Henry’s own life was mostly shielded from view. With particular purpose to uncover what is little known about the author, as well as superb instincts for illustrating fascinating details that help readers construct the settings in which Henry’s creative mind, intensive historical and scholarly research, and storytelling ability matured and evolved, accomplished journalist and author Lettie Teague has provided a unique biography that is as much a pleasure to read as her subject’s own books. Highlighting over a dozen titles that represent, to Teague, not only the best of Marguerite Henry’s work but help tell the story of Marguerite Henry herself, and following the trail of some of her remarkable collaborators—most importantly, the charismatic and talented artist Wesley Dennis—Teague gives Henry fans what they always strived for through their thousands of letters: personal connection.
Featuring original artwork by Wesley Dennis from some of Henry’s best-known books, as well as over 100 photographs, letters, and artifacts from Henry’s personal collection.
392 pages | 123 color and b/w photographs | Available now worldwide
Watch the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOTiJucXBBg
Visit the TSB events calendar and see author Lettie Teague on her book tour: https://trafalgarbooks.com/pages/media-calendar
Praise for DEAR READERS AND RIDERS:
“Legions of fans will be enthralled by this biography of a beloved children’s author. Essential for all public and academic libraries.” —Library Journal, Starred Review
“Extremely well researched…a full-scale portrait of a writer who deserves to be remembered.” —American Library Assn. Booklist
“Lettie Teague’s loving and well researched biography does credit to Henry, and this beautifully produced book, including some of Wesley Dennis’s illustrations, deserves a spot in every horse-loving reader’s permanent collection. I highly recommend this book.” —Elizabeth Letts, Author of New York Times Bestsellers The Eighty Dollar Champion and The Perfect Horse
“Lettie Teague has penned an extraordinarily detailed and sensitive illumination of Marguerite Henry and her writing life—a beautiful and unusual study of this beloved author and her work. A wonderful book.” —Lee Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Girls, Fair and Tender Ladies, and Silver Alert
“Dear Readers and Riders not only serves fans who want to learn more about the ‘mother of Misty,’ it is also a rare portrait of what it takes to be a best-selling writer far from the glamor of New York salons and soirees. Teague explores Henry’s slog to celebrity through sheer plodding effort, dedication to her young fans, and a gift for inspired marketing well ahead of her time.” —Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer prize-winning writer and author of Horse: A Novel
“What a lovely book! Dear Readers and Riders is not only an engrossing biography of Marguerite Henry—the woman who immortalized ‘Misty of Chincoteague’ and wrote more than 50 other books—but it is also a collection of Henry’s writings, photographs, reviews, and other memorabilia. Finally, it is a tribute to the author who helped make the nine-year-old Lettie Teague a horsewoman and then an inspired and evocative writer herself.” —Tim Page, Pulitzer prize-winning critic, Professor Emeritus at USC, and author of Dawn Powell: A Biography
“I could not put this book down. I read it all in one sitting! What a dream to revisit my favorite childhood author through Lettie Teague’s delicious prose…. Marguerite would be proud.” –Beth Behrs, Actress, 2 Broke Girls and The Neighborhood, and Founder, She Herd Power Foundation
For more information about this book or author, contact Rebecca Didier (rdidier@trafalgarbooks.com)
Trafalgar Square Books, the industry authority in equestrian publishing for almost 40 years, is a small business based on a farm in rural Vermont.