Elyne Mitchell


	Elyne Mitchell (1913-2002) Australian author. Born in Melbourne in 1913. The Silver Brumby series about a group of brumbies set in the wilds of the Australia Alps was by far her most popular set of books. These books really are in a class of their own and are amongst the few post 1940s pony books written from the horse's point of view. They also contain interesting descriptions of the Australian Bush and its wildlife, as well as teaching the reader about the dynamics of a wild pony herd. Her books were originally stories written for her children, to introduce them to the world and wildlife of the Australian countryside. As well as the Silver Brumby series, the author has also written a number of other books about wild brumbies and other animals, as well as many adult books, mainly based around the history and geography of Australia. Unfortunately she has been criticised by her fellow countrymen for anthromorphosising the equine characters who talk to each other like humans. This could perhaps explain why the later brumby books tend to move away from this style. The books are also known for their superb illustrations both inside and on the dustjackets (many of which have stunning wrap-around designs). Notable artists included the great Victor Ambrus and Ralph Thompson. The Silver Brumby has been made into a rather uninspired cartoon series and a fairly good film starring Russell Crowe.


	Silver Brumby Series: Probably the most popular series ever written about wild horses. Set in the exciting Australian mountain ranges and follows the adventures of the magnificent and wise silver stallion Thowra and his relatives. 1) THE SILVER BRUMBY (HUTCHINSON 1958) ILLUSTRATED BY RALPH THOMPSON Reprinted in both hardback and paperback, including British editions. Also included in a 4 in 1 edition with 3 stories from the Brumby series (see Brumby Series section below for details) SUMMARY: When the old and wise mare Bel Bel gives birth to a silver foal she names him Thowra. She knows his silver colour will make him hated by other stallions and hunted by men. Will Thowra grow up to overcome these challenges and become a great stallion? 2) SILVER BRUMBY'S DAUGHTER aka THE SNOW FILLY (USA title) (HUTCHINSON 1960) ILLUSTRATED BY GRACE HUXTABLE Reprinted in both hardback and paperback, including British and American editions The American edition was re-titled THE SNOW FILLY SUMMARY: Kunuma, son of Thowra and Golden, the tame mare he stole, does not heed her sire's warning to stay hidden and gallops off with the exciting black colt Tambo. But away from the safety of her herd she is captured by men. Will she ever return to her wild home again? 3) SILVER BRUMBIES OF THE SOUTH (HUTCHINSON 1965) ILLUSTRATED BYANETTE MACARTHUR-ONSLOW Reprinted in both hardback and paperback, including British editions. SUMMARY: There is rivalry between Lightning, son of Thowra and Baringa, son of Kunuma, when they both fall in love with the same beautiful filly Dawn. 4) SILVER BRUMBY KINGDOM (HUTCHINSON 1966) ILLUSTRATED BYANETTE MACARTHUR-ONSLOW Reprinted in both hardback and paperback, including British editions. SUMMARY: When Dawn is swept away by a flood, Baringa sets off to look for her. Then he too disappears. Is he alive or dead? Lightning is not worried, he siezes the opportunity to look for Dawn himself and cause general mischief and mayhem. This was my favourite Silver Brumby book as a child! 5) SILVER BRUMBY WHIRLWIND (HUTCHINSON 1973) ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS Reprinted in both hardback and paperback, including British editions. SUMMARY: This book links with Moon Filly. With his favourite mares all gone, the ageing Thowra sets off for one last adventure. He sets off North where he meets Yuri the beautiful daughter of Wurring and Ilinga (from Moon Filly). The book was originally intended as last in the series and indeed it is the last book where the brumbies talk to each other with dialogue. 6) SON OF THE WHIRLWIND (HUTCHINSON 1976) ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS Reprinted in both hardback and paperback, including British editions. SUMMARY: When Thowra leaves Yuri behind to head south back to his beloved Ramshead mountains, she gives birth to a silver foal, his son. Mare and foal set off in search of Thowra, but will they ever find him and is he even still alive? Written in the dialogue-less style of Moon Filly, which I feel sets it apart from the others in the series. SILVER BRUMBY STORIES VOLUME 1 Reprinted in paperback. SUMMARY: Includes the first 3 books in the series SILVER BRUMBY STORIES VOLUME 2 SUMMARY: Includes the last 3 books in the series Collectors Info: Because of their popularity they don't always sell for a low price although most of the series are not particularly rare in paperback form. The hardest ones to find are the last two in the series. First editions are rare and valuable, as are most hardbacks editions.


	Brumby Series: These books follow on from the Silver Brumby series. They are about new characters and some non-silver Brumbies, but occasionally some of the characters from the Silver Brumby series do appear in the books. You do not need to read the Silver Brumby series before them, although it will give the books an added depth if you do so. SILVER BRUMBY SILVER DINGO (ANGUS & ROBERTSON 1993) SUMMARY: A lost foal, an orphaned dingo pup and an eagle form a strange alliance. DANCING BRUMBY (ANGUS & ROBERTSON 1995) SUMMARY: Choopa is a stunted and ugly colt but there is a strange magic about him when he dances which draws both animals and men towards him. BRUMBIES OF THE NIGHT (ANGUS & ROBERTSON 1996) SUMMARY: What is the mystery of the strange white colt who appears in the flood amidst a backdrop of legends? DANCING BRUMBIES RAINBOW (ANGUS & ROBERTSON 1998) SUMMARY: A roan stallion is out to kill Choopa, the dancing brumby, but Choopa is determined to thwart the stallion and steal his beautiful little daughter into the bargain! THE THOUSANDTH BRUMBY (ANGUS & ROBERTSON 1999) SUMMARY: A man is determined to catch his one thousandth brumby. BRUMBY STORIES (CORNSTALK PB 1999) SUMMARY: 4 in 1 book which includes three books from this series: Dancing Brumby, Dancing Brumbies Rainbow and The Thousandth Brumby; as well as The Silver Brumby from the previous series. Collectors Info: Unlike the Silver Brumby series these were not republished in the UK. All the titles are fairly rare to very rare in the UK and


	Snowy River Series: This series combines the wild kingdom of the brumbies with the human world as a family's fate is intertwined with that of the wild Australian horses. It is a historical series set in the 1850s. 1) THE COLT FROM SNOWY RIVER (HUTCHINSON 1979) ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS Reprinted in hardback and paperback, including UK and American editions. SUMMARY: The Reid children are heartbroken with their horse Buzz runs off into the wild after beautiful filly Yarrawa, so they set off determined to find him. 2) SNOWY RIVER BRUMBY (HUTCHINSON 1980) ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS Reprinted in hardback and paperback, including UK editions. Not sure if there was an American edition. SUMMARY: When Buzz's son Nooroo is injured he turns to his old human friends for help. 3) BRUMBY RACER (HUTCHINSON ? 1981) ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS Reprinted in hardback. I don't think there was a paperback edition or any UK or USA editions. SUMMARY: Nooroo must choose between his life as a racehorse with the Reids and their pony mare Honey, and the lure of the wild and the exciting wild brumby mare Babilla. Collectors Info: All these titles are quite rare in the UK, although the first two did have UK editions. May be easier to find on an Australian based website. Brumby Racer is fairly rare, even in Australia, and may be expensive.


	Other Pony/HorseBooks: KINGFISHER FEATHER (HUTCHINSON 1962) ILLUSTRATED BY GRACE HUXTABLE SUMMARY: The mysterious words of an old Aborigine woman set the two Dane twins off on an adventure... MOON FILLY (HUTCHINSON 1968) ILLUSTRATED BY ROBERT HALES Reprinted in hardback and paperback. UK editions. (Related to the Silver Brumby series but can be read as a separate novel. If you want to read it in with the Silver B series it comes between Kingdom and Whirlwind.) SUMMARY: The colt Wurring is devoted to the beautiful orphan filly Ilinga. But as she grows older and even more lovely, other stallions will challenge Wurring for her, including a mean iron grey stallion. Will the pair be separated? LIGHT HORSE TO DAMASCUS (HUTCHINSON 1971) ILLUSTRATED BY VICTOR AMBRUS Reprinted in hardback and paperback, including a hardback UK edition. SUMMARY: The backdrop of this book is the real-life Light Horse Australian Cavalry and their involvement in World War One. The cavalry were in fact led by the author's own father General Chauvel, which no doubt inspired her to write this book. The story is an account of the bond between a young man and his mount who are involved in the military action. Read a review on Amazon If you are interested in finding out more about the Light Horse Cavalry and their famous role in the war in Palestine please click here to read more and also visit Wikipedia. THE COLT AT TAPAROO (HUTCHINSON 1975) Reprinted in hardback and paperback, including UK editions. SUMMARY: On the night that the stallion Sprite dies, the pony mare Gay arrives at the station. But what is the secret behind her foal's birth and why does he look so like Sprite? THE MAN FROM SNOW RIVER (ANGUS & ROBERTSON PB 1982) Paperback first edition. Reprinted a number of times including UK and American editions. Also a film tie-in edition which was illustrated with photos from the movie. SUMMARY: Novelisation of the film which was based on a poem by Banjo Paterson Collectors Info: All these titles are fairly rare to very rare in the UK. The paperback edition of Moon Filly is probably the easiest to come across here, although is still rare. As with the other books they may be easier to find on an Australian based website.