Customer Reviews

Kentucky Derby Champion

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book as a child in the early 1960's, and it has never left my mind! On a recent trip to Churchill Downs, I enquired about "Old Bones" and everyone knew who I was talking about! It's a great story for any horse lover, no matter what their age.

I first read this book back in 1960 when it was published under the title of "Old Bones the Wonder Horse". I have never forgotten it! What a delight it is to see that this wonderful story is still being told. Anyone, young or old, will appreciate this heartwarming and true story about a great racehorse.

I read the Thoroughbred Legends book on Exterminator and in it, the author mentions a book that she enjoyed in her earlier days about this old time racehorse, written by Mildred Pace. I found it had been reissued and was available on Amazon. However, this new version of the book was re-edited to be suited to adults who were just learning how to read, which I believe is a great idea. Long syllable words are replaced by short syllable words and sentences are very short. But understand that this is early elementary level reading.

The concept of the new version is great, but if you are interested in learning more about Exterminator, this one probably won't be satisfying to you.

This is the only book I remember reading as a young child. I probably read it 20 times. I have no idea where my old copy is, but I'm ordering one for me and one for my nieces. It was a GREAT story! Both happy and sad.

I first read the book, "Old Bones the Wonder Horse", in 1955 when I was 9 years old. I still have that book, and while the dust jacket is falling apart, and the pages are yellowed and dog earred, I consider it one of my most treasured possessions. If I hadn't been introduced to this book, I probably would not of developed a life long love of reading. With all the craziness in the world today, I often find myself taking a "30 minute retreat" to reread this story ... no electronic enhancements or hi-tech wizardry or special effects overload ... just a simple story, with simple illustrations, that is both inspiring and true. I strongly recommend this book as one of the best tools available to introduce children to the joy of reading.

Mildred Mastin Pace, Old Bones, The Wonder Horse (Scholastic, 1955)

It's hard for me to not like a kids' book about race horses. Well, okay, except Spirit Horse of the Rockies.

Old Bones is the story of 1918 Kentucky Derby winner Exterminator. Profusely illustrated by Thoroughbred specialist Wesley Dennis, Old Bones is told in what I can only describe as Mike-Mulligan-and-His-Steam-Shovel diction; it reads more like an easy-reader than a ninety-two page book for school-agers (what the kids these days call "chapterbooks"). Still, Pace resurrected Exterminator, long out of the limelight and dead for ten years by the time this book was published, and while the book does have a tendency to gloss over a good deal of Exterminator's career (he ran one hundred races, so just going over the career alone would have taken three books of this size), Pace does hit both the highest highlights and the lowest lowlights (the fracture that ended his career being the lowest of them).

It's possible that some of the glossing comes from no one knowing about certain things. Looking up Exterminator on the Internet brings loads of conflicting information (for example, many sites say stablemate Sun Briar, the 1918 Derby favorite, was simply off his feed, as Pace contends here, while others say he was injured in a workout days before the race). And while it's certainly impossible to draw a cause-effect line, Pace's book came out in 1955, Exterminator was elected to the Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1957; coincidence?

An easy read, and perhaps a good way to get your toddlers interested in the ponies before they're ready for Walter Farley's books. ***

Almost 40 years after the fact, this book still holds my fascination. That's because it was the first "real" book I ever read as a child and it fired my imagination to build a lasting love of reading. I give this book my highest recommendation.
I've never owned a horse nor am I a "horse person," but this book tells an enchanting story that cuts across all lines. It's about a wonderful (horse) soul that touches lives and inspires the human spirit. You can't get much better than that. Buy it today for yourself or a child you love.

awesome book ... kids will love i

Read this book as a child in the mid 1950's. The original was called, " Old Bones the Wonder Horse"

This book has always stayed in my memory throughout the years, and I thought I would locate a copy for my grandchildren and hope they would enjoy it as much as I did.
Received the book within a few days of ordering it and spent a couple of hours reading and reliving it like it was yesterday. Great story of a wonderful horse and would be great reading, especially for children that love animals.

I was a "slow starter" in reading. My 6th grade teacher almost held me back a year because of it. In 1957, when I was 12, my father bought me this book during the summer, knowing I loved horses, hoping it would kindle my interest in reading. Much to his surprise, I read it in one sitting. Once started, I couldn't put it down. Without this book, it's doubtful I would have developed reading skills to catch up with my age group. Although it takes a few "liberties" with the truth and doesn't mention his being gelded (as you might expect in a childrens' book), I found it interesting and well written.