Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collections
Publication
New York, Scholastic, 1965 [c1955]
User reviews
LibraryThing member SunnySD
The story of Exterminator, one of the most famous Thoroughbred race horses of all time - it may not be the Cinderella story made out to be here, but it does make a good book. Unprepossessing as a youngster, the gelding came out of nowhere to win the Derby by a length. He went on to win multiple
Unlike many high strung and anxious Thoroughbreds, 'Old Bones' as he was familiarly known, was placid and laid back when not racing, and traveled easily, which may help account for some of his racing success. Accompanied by his favorite stable pony, Peanuts, Old Bones lived to the grand old age of 30 (very old for a large horse breed), and his birthday was celebrated every year with the local children and plenty of carrot cake -- at least that's how the story goes.
Old Bones was one of my favorite horse books growing up, and remains a treasured afternoon read. I once baked a carrot cake for my own pony in his honor, and loved the fact that this horse story had a happy ending.
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stakes races, and dominated the racing world for several years in the 19-teens and twenties, even setting a couple of world records. His career was shadowed, however, by another racing great, Man O' War, although the two horses never raced against one another. Unlike many high strung and anxious Thoroughbreds, 'Old Bones' as he was familiarly known, was placid and laid back when not racing, and traveled easily, which may help account for some of his racing success. Accompanied by his favorite stable pony, Peanuts, Old Bones lived to the grand old age of 30 (very old for a large horse breed), and his birthday was celebrated every year with the local children and plenty of carrot cake -- at least that's how the story goes.
Old Bones was one of my favorite horse books growing up, and remains a treasured afternoon read. I once baked a carrot cake for my own pony in his honor, and loved the fact that this horse story had a happy ending.
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LibraryThing member stacyinthecity
A sweet kids book that tells the true story of Exterminator. Exterminator was a Thoroughbred born in 1915. He was a rather gangly looking horse and no one really thought much of him. However, one trainer did eventually see him run and thought he had potential. This is Exterminator's rags to riches
The story has been simplified for children and some details are changed to highlight the drama of his life, but it rings true in spirit.
While suitable for any child that loves horses, it is really geared towards the younger side of those reading chapter books. Man O War, who ran at the same time as Exterminator, has a wonderful book written about him by Walter Farley, but if that book is above the reading level of your child, this would be excellent to tide the child over.
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story.The story has been simplified for children and some details are changed to highlight the drama of his life, but it rings true in spirit.
While suitable for any child that loves horses, it is really geared towards the younger side of those reading chapter books. Man O War, who ran at the same time as Exterminator, has a wonderful book written about him by Walter Farley, but if that book is above the reading level of your child, this would be excellent to tide the child over.
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LibraryThing member Pferdina
This is just a little children's book about the great racehorse Exterminator. It contains very little detail, and not a lot of facts. Mostly it imagines the feelings and thoughts of the horse as he rises from obscurity to become one of the most famous horses of the twentieth century.
LibraryThing member fuzzi
This is a reread of a book I read as a child. It is a short book, written in a similar style to many Marguerite Henry stories such as "Misty of Chincoteague", but is suitable for adults who are interested in a mini-biography of the great race horse Exterminator, aka "Old Bones". The drawings by
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Wesley Dennis are wonderful, as are all that illustrator's works. Show Less
LibraryThing member AprilBrown
What ages would I recommend it too? Six and up.
Length? An evening to read.
Characters? Memorable, several characters.
Setting? Real World, 1915 - 1945.
Written approximately? 1955.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher)
Short storyline: A young colt goes from an exercise colt to the racer he wants to be.
Notes for the reader: Reasonably well written. Leaves out a few parts the reader might want to know.
Length? An evening to read.
Characters? Memorable, several characters.
Setting? Real World, 1915 - 1945.
Written approximately? 1955.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher)
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should cover? No.Short storyline: A young colt goes from an exercise colt to the racer he wants to be.
Notes for the reader: Reasonably well written. Leaves out a few parts the reader might want to know.
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LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
If my library had owned this when I was looking for more like all the ones I loved by?�
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Fun kids book, about a horse I'd never heard of before. Exterminator/Old Bones is presented as a magical being - he understands the race better than his jockeys do, he's not bothered by any of the things that bother horses (traveling, people running up to him), etc. Oh, and he recognizes everyone
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he's ever interacted with - and every interaction was a happy one. No mention of his previous owner after he starts winning, either. It's a very simplified story, but a good one; I enjoyed reading it and will probably reread. I'll keep an eye out for more books by this author, too. Show Less
Awards
Language
Original publication date
1955
Physical description
119 p.; 24 cm
DDC/MDS
| 636.12 |