Wesley Dennis (1903-1966)

Better known as an illustrator, in fact he is one of the most famous of the American equine illustrators. He was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts in 1903. Raised on a farm, as a child he loved animals and loved to draw, and when he grew up he wanted to make a career out of his passion for art and his love of horses. He soon became successful with his equine drawings and when his art was seen by the author Marguerite Henry it was the start of a long collaboration between the author and illustrator; his lovely illustrations for the 'Misty' series being perhaps the most well-loved of all his work. It also increased his fame and he became highly sought after as an illustrator of equine books, including the classic John Steinbeck novel The Red Pony. Dennis eventually bought a farm of his own and surrounded himself with his beloved horses and other animals.

He also wrote and illustrated a few books of his own, mainly picture books or for younger readers. Not surprisingly given his interest in horses, quite a few of these are pony themed.

There is quite a lot of information about the author on the internet, including an excellent website devoted to him.

Flip Series:
Picture book series for beginning readers.

1) FLIP
FIRST PRINTED: VIKING [USA] 1941
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Reprinted in hardback by Viking.
Reprinted a number of times in paperback by Viking, Puffin and Scholastic.
It was also published by Viking as part of a 2 in 1 edition with another story by a different author (see Other Editions below).
EDITION PICTURED: First edition, early Puffin edition, 1969 Scholastic paperback.
SUMMARY: The colt Flip longs to be able to jump the brook like his mother. If only he had wings!

2) FLIP AND THE COWS
FIRST PRINTED: VIKING [USA] 1942
FIRST UK EDITION: BROCKHAMPTON 1965
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Reprinted in hardback by Viking.
Reprinted in hardback by Linnet Press in 1989.
Reprinted a number of times in paperback by Puffin and Scholastic.
Published in the UK in hardback by Brockhampton.
Reprinted in the UK in hardback by Hodder & Stoughton in 1983
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1966 Viking reprint, Linnet edition, 1st UK edition, Hodder UK edition.
SUMMARY: Will Flip overcome his fear of cows?

3) FLIP AND THE MORNING
FIRST PRINTED: VIKING [USA] 1951
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Reprinted in hardback by Viking.
Reprinted  in paperback by Viking and Puffin.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Viking paperback.
SUMMARY: Willie the goat must come up with some way to stop the frisky colt Flip from disturbing his sleep!

Other Editions:

FLIP & I'M TIRED OF LIONS
FIRST PRINTED: VIKING [USA] 1961
Reprinted in hardback by Viking in 1966
SUMMARY: 2 in 1 story book which includes Flip and also I'm Tired of Lions by Zhenya Gay

Collector's Info:
Flip and the Cows had two British printings but these are rarely seen here. I don't know if the other two books in the series were published in the UK as I have yet to come across any British editions. All three books in the series had multiple printings in the USA, both in hardback and paperback, and are very easy to find there.  The 2 in 1 edition is also easy to find in the USA. None of the books are very easy to find outside of America.

Other Horse & Pony Books:

HOLIDAY
FIRST PRINTED: VIKING [USA] 1946
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Rare.
Sadly I have no picture of this book - if anyone could supply one I would be very grateful.
SUMMARY: Picture book for beginning readers. When Holiday sees a dog win a blue ribbon at a show, he decides he wants to win one too!

TUMBLE: THE STORY OF A MUSTANG
FIRST PRINTED: HASTINGS HOUSE [USA] 1950
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Reprinted in paperback by Scholastic.
SUMMARY: Younger reader's story book. Tumble is a wild mustang. He is caught for the rodeo but longs to be free again. Will he achieve his dream?

Collector's Info:
Tumble is easy to find in the USA. Copies can sometimes also be found in the UK. Holiday is rare and can be pricey.

Short Story Collections Edited by the Author:

PALOMINO AND OTHER STORIES
FIRST PRINTED : WORLD [USA] 1950
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
Reprinted in hardback by World.
EDITION PICTURED: Reprint.
SUMMARY: Collection of 14 horse stories by various authors edited and illustrated by Wesley Dennis. Authors include, amongst many others,  Will James, Thomas C. Hinkle and Elisa Bialk.
(See American Short Story Collections section for full listing of stories)

Collector's Info:
Fairly easy to find in the USA. Rarer elsewhere.