M. E. Atkinson (1899-1974)

Mary Evelyn Atkinson was born in London in 1899. She was a fairly prolific children's author, most of her books being of the 'holiday adventure' type. Her stories however were of a superior nature to many in this genre and she was especially good at creating un-stereotyped interesting characters.

Her most famous books were the (non-pony) series about the Lockett family. She also wrote another series about Fricka Hammond and her cousins of which at least one is a pony book (Riders and Raids), the others have some horsy content but as I have not read them all I am not sure how much. However I have included the full series below. If you have read these books and can tell me more about them please let me know.

Fricka Series:
Family/holiday adventure series focused on Fricka and her family and friends. I have only read the last one in the series which is a pony story, I am not sure how much pony content the others in the series actually contain.

1) CASTAWAY CAMP
(BODLEY HEAD 1951)
ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLOTTE HOUGH
Reprinted by Bodley Head with different dustwrapper
Reprinted by the Childrens Book Club
Reprinted in paperback by Dragon Books in the 1960s.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Book Club edition, paperback edition

2) HUNTER'S MOON
(BODLEY HEAD 1952)
ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLOTTE HOUGH
Reprinted by the Childrens Book Club
EDITIONS PICTURED: Book club edition
SUMMARY: The children's friend Tony is frightened of horses. Can they help him become a good rider despite this?

3) THE BARNSTORMERS
(BODLEY HEAD 1953)
ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLOTTE HOUGH
Rare
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition
SUMMARY: Rivalry over a play and a horse and caravan provide plenty to keep Fricka and co. occupied.

4) UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE
BODLEY HEAD 1955)
ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLOTTE HOUGH
Reprinted by the Childrens Book Club
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Book Club edition
SUMMARY: The children go to stay in a decrepit old house and get involved in a mystery of disappearing cats.

5) RIDERS AND RAIDS
(BODLEY HEAD 1956)
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted by the Childrens Book Club
EDITIONS PICTURED: Book club edition
SUMMARY: The children are determined that the local hunt should meet at their house but there are no foxes in the district. They hatch up a cunning plan to convince everyone that foxes are rife in the area, but things don't go smoothly to say the least…
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

Collectors Info:
As far as I know the only one to be reprinted in paperback is Unexpected Adventure.Rarity varies, with Riders and Raids being the easiest of the books to find and The Barnstormers by far and away the hardest to find and most expensive. First editions of all the books however are quite hard to find.

Other Horse & Pony Books:

STEEPLE FOLLY
(BODLEY HEAD 1950)
Reprinted in hardback
ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLOTTE HOUGH
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, reprint, not sure which is which however!
SUMMARY: Part of the predominantly non-pony Lockett Family series. As far as I know the only one in series which is a pony story. 

HORSESHOES AND HANDLEBARS
(BODLEY HEAD 1958)
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted by the Childrens Book Club
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Book club edition
SUMMARY: Guin and Margaret are looking forward to revisiting the place where last hols they had made friends, hired ponies and had lots of fun. But this time there are two strangers: the conceited  Fabian and his younger brother. Fabian is scornful of horses and asserts that bikes are much better. So the two sets of children set off on a trek, ponies versus bikes...who will win?
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

Collectors info:
Steeple Folly is a bit of an oddity: it has been published twice with different dustjackets, but I am not sure which s the reprint as both are claimed to be first editions. It is reasonably rare but can be found without a huge amount of trouble in the UK, although it may be pricey. Horseshoes and Handlebars is much easier to find, especially the Book Club reprint, and is usually low cost. The books are harder to find in the USA but not impossible.