Pale as the Moon and An Independent Spirit are popular supplemental reading often assigned in elementary and middle school history classes. I love visiting schools to talk about the history behind the stories whether I am asked to talk about North Carolina history, the wild ponies of the Outer Banks, Native American life during the time the English first arrived in the New World, or about writing in general.

I haven’t thought to much about my three equine-related non-fiction books: The Book of Miniature Horses, The Book of Draft Horses, and The Book of Mules. I have always considered them books for people interested in horses and mules; adults for the most part. But, now I realize my books have something to offer students because of some feedback I received recently from a teacher.

I was very pleasantly surprised after speaking to a group at a recent networking event when one teacher shared with me that she used The Book of Miniature Horses in her classroom. When teaching the story of Helen Keller she discusses with her students how miniature horses, as well as dogs, are used to assist the blind. She read them the story of Panda and Ann Edie in “Chapter Six, Minis in Service.”

This got me thinking how The Book of Draft Horses might also be useful in the classroom since these gentle giants played such an important part in the growth of our country before the invention of the automobile. Science students might also be surprised to learn that draft horses are still being used in farming and logging as an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline powered equipment.

Speaking of science, The Book of Mules would certainly have something to offer students being introduced to genetics and hybridization. Mules are the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey. Depending on the type of horse or donkey used in the mating, people can “design” a mule to fit the job needed – miniature mules as pets, draft type mules for work and lots of designs in between. The mule is the perfect example of how we can produce a hybrid to achieve certain goals and improve on the parents.

The mule, like the draft horse, also played an important role in developing America. In fact, because of their strength and stamina they are still used in the military today.

I hope teachers will add these three books to their libraries in addition to Pale as the Moon and An Independent Spirit. There is a quality about horses that captures the attention. Once the student is paying attention, then teaching can begin.