Book Review of The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud
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The Children’s Book Review
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud
Written by Alison Bellringer
Ages: 8-12 | 110 Pages
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers (2025) | ISBN: 978-1037102950
What to Expect: Horses, ranching, responsibility, trust, honesty, and family.
The latest in a long line of animal-themed stories from author Alison Bellringer, Cloud is the first book in a new series that centers around the unique relationships between young people and horses.
When spoiled Caitlyn Delaney decides she doesn’t like her newest show horse, Cloud, she dumps him at the Johnsons’ ranch. Coral, Lexie, and Tilly are thrilled to be spending their holiday getting to know the beautiful new horse, even if they know he’ll soon need to be sold on. However, when Tilly ignores Mr. Johnson’s command not to ride the skittish and temperamental Cloud, not only does she get a sprained ankle, but they also discover just why Cloud has been so badly behaved—his riding tack didn’t fit properly! Thanks to the Johnsons, Cloud can show his true colors as a magnificent show horse. And Tilly? Well, Tilly learns some important lessons about responsibility and thinking before acting.
Coral, Lexie, and Tilly, although all very different in personality, are exemplary role models for young readers—conscientious, hardworking, and ready to learn from their mistakes. The story is filled with rich details about the horses, life on the ranch, and the work involved in caring for working animals, making it perfect for instilling ideas about responsibility and community while simultaneously feeding readers’ love for horses.
For readers who love horses or just those who love a good school-holiday story, Cloud and the rest of the Saddlers Ranch series are sure to become fast favorites.
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About the Author
Alison Bellringer has been writing short stories to share with friends and family for many years and always enjoys exploring her creativity when putting pen to paper, so she is excited to have the opportunity to share her love of writing with others.
Alison loves spending time with her pet dog, a Labrador x Huntaway called Smoky, teaching her tricks and taking her for walks. She lives in a small town in New Zealand near many beautiful parks and beaches.
Alison has been playing trombone since about 2010, euphonium from mid-2019, and always likes getting together with a few friends to ‘make a joyful noise’, sharing music. She also enjoys a bit of freelance photography when she gets the chance, especially if it involves taking pictures of sunsets.
One of her books, The Bronson Escapades, is a Silver Recipient of the Mom’s Choice Awards® honorary seal of excellence, and The Wolf Cub is a 2nd Place winner of the Royal Dragonfly Book Award Competition of 2024 in both the ‘Education’ and ‘Coffee Table & Gift Books’ categories, in addition to obtaining Honorary Mention in several others: Best Cover Design, Children’s Chapter Books, Middle Grade Fiction, and Animals/Pets (a complete list of results can be found on the Story Monsters Book Awards website). Alison’s 2024 trilogy titled Whisper, Lucas, and Escape has also been presented with the NAPPA Award-winning seal. Alison hugely appreciates having received this outstanding recognition, as well as all the other encouraging comments regarding her earlier works.
For more information, check out alisonbellringer.ampbk.com
Read Our Exclusive Interview with Alison Bellringer, Author of ‘The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud’
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