Stableheart: Helping Hero
by Nicci Johnson
Interest age: 8 to 14
Reading age: 9+
Published by Simon and Schuster Children's Books, 2026
About this book
Eleven-year-old Pres has just moved in with her aunt. She's left behind her loving foster parents, the village school and, worst of all, Reuben the pony at the riding centre. Now she has to start at a new school in the middle of Year 7 in the urban sprawl of Birmingham. At least here, she's not the only Black girl, but she still doesn't fit in. But once she discovers a stables in the city centre, and volunteers there with a group from school, Pres slowly feels more like herself. And when someone needs to work with Hero, a pony with a difficult past, Pres knows that only she can help him heal...
This isn't just a story for pony-mad readers, though there are lots of horsey details to keep them happy. This is also about family, identity, friendship, and the way that a bond with an animal can help humans. Pres and Aunty Janelle's relationship strengthens gradually - the depiction of kinship care is heartwarming yet realistic. Pres is responsible, caring and calm in a crisis, and she eventually makes some good friends. This is a great read with a lot of emotional depth.
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Paddock Grove: A Pony to Own
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Birdie: Selected for Bookbuzz Secondary 2026
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Pippa's Pony Tales
by Pippa Funnell, illustrated by Jennifer Miles
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Meg and Merlin: Making Friends
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Lists of recommended reads
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Books about horses and ponies
There has always been a special bond between humans and horses. This selection of books ranges from thrilling historical adventures to the contemporary reality of mucking out, with much emotional bonding throughout. Perfect for horse-mad children, nay (neigh?!) any child.
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Books with family and friends looking after children
It's important that books reflect contemporary society, and that children see a variety of family situations in the stories they read. Some families don't have a mum or dad in the carer or parental role. Sometimes grandparents or uncles or aunts are looking after the children. This can be called 'kinship care' or 'family and friends care'. This selection of fantastic books show children living with family members who aren't their parents, although that is usually only the background setting, not the plot.