Shane's Mane [Hardcover]

Nicole Drumheller Gargus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2010

Orla loves horses. She helps Grandpa feed his horses every day. But Orla worries that she will never learn to ride a horse, or do anything else that matters -- because she can't even read a book! In the end, it is Shane, a gray horse with a long mane, who has the answer Orla is looking for.

Beautifully illustrated with more than 70 color photographs, Shane's Mane is a timeless story of the adventure of life from an author with a firsthand knowledge of life on a small horse farm.

Editorial Reviews

Review

What's the connection between riding a horse and learning to read a book? Everything in the world to little Orla, whose affinity for horses and their kinship with her lead her to a startling discovery and newfound self-confidence.

In "Shane's Mane," the first published children's book by Nicole Drumheller Gargus, the author takes us on a delightful ride across a springtime pasture as her main character learns from her horse Shane just how easy and exciting it can be to put one leg before the other in an exhilarating journey toward personal fulfillment.

"Shane's Mane" is sure to become a childhood favorite for years to come. And this is not the last we'll hear of this talented author. --Frank D. Quattrone, Editor, Ticket, Montgomery Media's arts-and-entertainment guide

Nicole Drumheller Gargus will delight and inspire readers young and old with her tale of courage, her story of victory. Be prepared to have your heart moved and your life changed by the magical journey that is Shane's Mane. --Robb C. Sewell, MFA

This book is a lovely story for every little girl who loves horses and wishes she could also gallop freely in her world. I love that learning to read is part of the story. --Barbara Rosoff, Equestrian Instructor, Director, Horse Power for Life

About the Author

Nicole Drumheller Gargus grew up on a small horse farm in Pennsylvania. She writes for magazines and newspapers, often about horses. Shane's Mane is her first book for children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Pigeon Creek (January 12, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891957155
• ISBN-13: 978-1891957154
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,292,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nicole Drumheller Gargus is a graduate of Eastern University and Rosemont College School of Graduate and Professional Studies. She is the wife of Nathan E. Gargus, MD, a medically retired Army Captain (United States Military Academy at West Point) and practicing physician (Internal medicine intern at Lankenau Hospital). Nicole grew up in rural Pennsylvania on her family's small horse farm. Nicole and her husband now reside in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania but will be moving to Boston, Massachusetts in the summer of 2012. Nathan has been accepted to study anesthesiology at Brigham & Women's hospital which is under the auspices of Harvard University.

During the two years Nicole and Nathan resided in Savannah, Georgia, Nicole was drawn to the foreigners and immigrants in her community struggling through language barriers. She sought opportunities to provide assistance to individuals needing special help to assimilate into American culture. Having been labeled with various learning disabilities throughout her life, yet managing to succeed despite this, provided Nicole with a measure of empathy toward these students. The strength, value, and enrichment of connecting with and tutoring foreign students deepened her appreciation and dedication to the application of the English language.

Nicole's love of history and quest to acquire understanding of different cultures (as well as cultural differences) formed a foundation for her to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. A passionate writer infused with integrity, she published her first heart-moving piece during her undergraduate studies at Eastern University.

Nicole is driven by a desire to share her heartfelt insights through writing. This explains her tenacity in seeking publications which recognize her abilities. More than twenty of her works have been published. Inspired by her own achievements, Nicole vigorously pursued and earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania.

Nicole's education, life experience, and recognized published pieces have expanded her awareness and sensitivity, and is the source of the sincerity she exhibits when interacting with others. After her recent travels to Jerusalem, Nicole is inspired to write about her extremely powerful experiences in the Holy Land. This quest for understanding and insight will again take her to the Middle East where she will experience firsthand the majesty and beauty this exotic land has to offer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Shouldn't Be Missed...A must-have!!, September 6, 2010

By 

Dana Shaw (Anywhere, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shane's Mane (Hardcover)

Many things we encounter are meant to teach us something, including what we read. Although Shane's Mane is a children's book, all of us can benefit from reading it and will enjoy it. Equestrians will easily appreciate the love of horses, but any of us who have had doubts about what we can achieve in our lives will also identify with the story. The cover photo and images are beautiful and crisp, adding richness to the eloquently written words. I have read this repeatedly and it's a book I hope to share with my future children. Beautifully and vividly written! Please pick this up!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Book, December 15, 2010

By 

Millerfilm - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shane's Mane (Hardcover)

Learning to read is more of a problem than we care to talk about here in the States. It is especially true as kids get older and are ashamed to admit that they still can't read. Shane's Mane goes a long way toward trying to reverse this situation, without being obvious and without preaching. It is a enjoyable read with wonderful photographs from start to finish and Nicole has done a wonderful job of weaving storytelling with objective. This is a must read for kids, teachers and parents.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreams can come true., November 9, 2010

By 

John A. Nagy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shane's Mane (Hardcover)

Shane's Mane is a positive story with excellent photographs aimed primarily for a young reader. Nicole Drumheller Gargus tells the story of a young girl who wants to learn how to read and ride a horse. During the course of the book, the young girl must conquer her fears. The reader will go along on the journey pulling for her to succeed and will become elated when she accomplishes her dreams. The reader, young or old, learns that dreams can come true!