
Transcriber’s Note
THE DUMPY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.
A Horse Book
AT PLAY.
SCHOOLING.
CLEVERNESS.
WILLINGNESS.
WILFULNESS.
INTELLIGENCE.
KICKING.
A charming collection of short, rhymed sketches brings the world of horses to life for young ears. Each piece focuses on a single trait—playfulness, schooling, cleverness, gentleness, perseverance—and the verses are paired with vivid, early‑twentieth‑century illustrations that make the scenes feel immediate. The language is simple yet lyrical, inviting listeners to picture foals frolicking in a field, a circus pony spelling out letters, or a sturdy cart horse pulling a load up a hill.
The book moves gently from one everyday adventure to the next, offering quiet lessons about teamwork, curiosity, and the bond between people and their animal partners. Moments of humor, such as a mischievous horse’s kick or a timid foal’s shy stare, sit beside quieter reflections on loyalty and old age. It’s an ideal listen for children who love animals and for anyone who enjoys light, melodic storytelling that celebrates the humble horse’s many personalities.
Language
en
Duration
~12 minutes (12K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
Nov 6, 2007
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1874–1948
Best remembered as the creator of Rupert Bear, she helped shape one of Britain’s most enduring children’s characters with a style that mixed warmth, humor, and gentle adventure. Her work as an illustrator and comic artist reached generations of young readers long before Rupert became a classic.
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