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Quick answer: If your child loved Billy and Blaze, read C.W. Anderson's other Blaze books, then try The Black Stallion, Misty of Chincoteague, King of the Wind and Black Beauty. All celebrate horses and the children who love them.
C.W. Anderson's 1936 picture book follows a boy named Billy and his pony Blaze through rides and small adventures. The books below share that love of horses, with picture books for young children and longer classics for older readers. All are real, in-print books, though some older titles may appear in new editions.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blaze and the Forest Fire | C.W. Anderson | 4–8 | more Blaze |
| Blaze Finds the Trail | C.W. Anderson | 4–8 | first horse books |
| The Black Stallion | Walter Farley | 9–13 | racing stories |
| King of the Wind | Marguerite Henry | 9–13 | historical horse tales |
| Misty of Chincoteague | Marguerite Henry | 8–12 | island ponies |
| Black Beauty | Anna Sewell | 9–14 | animal welfare |
| My Friend Flicka | Mary O'Hara | 10–14 | ranch life |
| National Velvet | Enid Bagnold | 10–14 | racing dreams |
| Smoky the Cowhorse | Will James | 10 and up | cowboy tales |
| Justin Morgan Had a Horse | Marguerite Henry | 8–12 | American breeds |
| Brighty of the Grand Canyon | Marguerite Henry | 8–12 | animal adventure |
| The Horse and His Boy | C.S. Lewis | 8–12 | fantasy fans |
| The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses | Paul Goble | 4–8 | picture book fans |
| Thunderhead | Mary O'Hara | 10–14 | series readers |
| Black Gold | Marguerite Henry | 9–13 | racing history |
1. Blaze and the Forest Fire by C.W. Anderson
Billy and Blaze encounter danger in the woods. Another in the series with strong, simple drawings.
Best for: more Blaze.
2. Blaze Finds the Trail by C.W. Anderson
Billy and Blaze go riding in the hills and find a trail. Quiet and clear, for young horse fans.
Best for: first horse books.
3. The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
A boy is shipwrecked with a wild black horse and later trains him to race. A classic of horse fiction.
Best for: racing stories.
4. King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry
A stable boy follows a great Arabian horse across the world. Based on the story of the Godolphin Arabian.
Best for: historical horse tales.
5. Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
Two children try to catch a wild pony on Assateague Island. Gentle and beloved.
Best for: island ponies.
6. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
A horse narrates his life in Victorian England. Moving and about kindness to animals.
Best for: animal welfare.
7. My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara
A boy on a Wyoming ranch raises a wild filly. Warm and exciting.
Best for: ranch life.
8. National Velvet by Enid Bagnold
A girl wins a horse in a raffle and dreams of the Grand National. Lively and charming.
Best for: racing dreams.
9. Smoky the Cowhorse by Will James
A cow pony's life from foal to old age, told in a western voice. Classic and rugged.
Best for: cowboy tales.
10. Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry
The story of the Morgan horse breed and a boy who owns a small, strong colt. Clear and warm.
Best for: American breeds.
11. Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry
A wild burro lives in the Grand Canyon and befriends a prospector. Gentle and adventurous.
Best for: animal adventure.
12. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
A talking horse and a boy flee across Narnia and its neighbors. A fast adventure in the Narnia series.
Best for: fantasy fans.
13. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble
A young girl lives among horses in a Native American tale. Brightly illustrated and gentle.
Best for: picture book fans.
14. Thunderhead by Mary O'Hara
The sequel to My Friend Flicka follows a white colt. Slower, with a strong feeling for the land.
Best for: series readers.
15. Black Gold by Marguerite Henry
A racehorse and a young jockey in the Kentucky Derby. Based on a true story.
Best for: racing history.
How to Choose
For young children, begin with the Blaze series. For classic novels, The Black Stallion and Misty of Chincoteague. For history, King of the Wind. For kindness to animals, Black Beauty. Share the older books aloud, since some language and attitudes reflect their time. Older picture books are best enjoyed slowly. Look at the drawings and talk about the horse's expressions, then ask your child what they would do on a ride. Used bookstores and libraries often carry older Blaze books at low cost. If your child wants to try riding, local stables may offer introductory lessons.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Billy and Blaze about?
A boy and his pony, Blaze, share simple rides and adventures, told with line drawings.
Who is C.W. Anderson?
An American author and illustrator who wrote and drew a series of horse books beginning in the 1930s.
What age is it for?
About 4 to 8 years old.
How many Blaze books are there?
Anderson wrote about a dozen, including Blaze and the Gypsies and Blaze and Thunderbolt.
Are older horse books still good?
Yes. Many remain popular, though some contain outdated attitudes.
Are the Blaze books still in print?
Some are available as reprints, and many can be found in libraries and used bookstores.
Why do children love horse stories?
Horses combine adventure, friendship and responsibility, which appeals to many young readers.
What is a good first horse chapter book?
Misty of Chincoteague and The Black Stallion are classic starting points.
Are horse books good for children who do not ride?
Yes. They teach care, patience and courage, and many readers enjoy the stories without ever riding.