THE SATURDAY APPALOOSA (RED DEER $18.95) IS A first book for Thelma Sharp, retired letter carrier, life-long horse woman and resident of Monte Creek, a small-town community east of Kamloops. Her autograph, floating above the indigo spotted horse on the title page, is a small, unembellished signature. Country folk are modest, maintains Sharp, and have no need to "toot their own horn."; Sharp, whose list of former occupations include sawmill worker, dairy maid and horse logger, credits weekend visits by her six-year-old granddaughter for her story. Crystal is fascinated with the horses belonging to Gramama's neighbour, especially the Appy. But Gramama says, "We do not ride other people's horses. Unless they offer."; And then an offer comes, in a most unexpected way. [by Louise Donnelly]

[Spring 2003 BCBW]