Vivian Dubrovin

American author of children's books, short stories and articles. Ms. Dubrovin has a degree in journalism and has worked as a journalist and a teacher/educator as well as a writer. Her particular area of interest seems to be teaching writing, especially to children, and her books have also mainly been of the educational type, especially books about learning how to write.

She wrote a short series of pony books which also had an educational flavour, in that they each dealt with different girls who learnt through various problems they encountered with their ponies. Some of these books are not that easy to find however.

Unfortunately I have no pictures of the author's books, so would appreciate it if anyone could send me some.

Saddle Up Series:
A series of instruction within fiction style books in which four different girls experience and overcome different horsy problems. The emphasis is as much on moral/character improvement as upon improvement in horsemanship. The books don't need to be read in any particular order.

A BETTER BIT AND BRIDLE
(EMC [USA] 1975)
ILLUSTRATED BY NANCY INDERIEDEN
SUMMARY: Robyn must learn to control her temper before she can control her horse.

A CHANCE TO WIN
(EMC [USA] 1975)
ILLUSTRATED BY NANCY INDERIEDEN
SUMMARY: When Vickie moves to a new town she is disappointed to learn that the only riding club is an English Riding one. So she determines to start her own Western Riding club.

OPEN THE GATE
(EMC [USA] 1975)
ILLUSTRATED BY NANCY INDERIEDEN
SUMMARY: Val has a problem opening a gate during a class at a show because she has not been taught how to do it. She then realises that she can teach herself by reading books and finding out the knowledge for herself.

TRAILERING TROUBLES
(EMC [USA] 1975)
ILLUSTRATED BY NANCY INDERIEDEN
SUMMARY: Pam learns that hard work and sacrifice are needed to train horses, especially when she tries to train her horse Rocket to load.

Collector's Info:
A couple of these are hard to find even in the USA (A Chance to Win, Open the Gate) and all are hard to find elsewhere.