One of C. W. Anderson's drawing

“Billy and Blaze” is a series of easy read books about a boy and his pony. Billy is a boy who is about 8 and a good rider; Blaze is a fine, brave and intelligent pony. Together, they have many adventures.

The stories are not too “babyish”, and the pencil drawings are sensitive and delicate. The reading is not difficult, but still very charming. When I was much younger, “Billy and Blaze” was my favorite series, so much so that even now I still try to buy the ones that I don’t have!

Billy and Blaze learn many different things throughout the series. They learn courage, friendship and they mentor a younger person among other things. I was in love with this series, and I honestly believe that my early passion for C. W. Anderson’s books and pencil drawings led to my preferring drawing with graphite pencil than color. “Billy and Blaze” is a gentle and beautiful step for a child into reading a slightly more advanced book, all centered around horses.

There are multiple books in the “Billy and Blaze” series. Here is a complete list of them.

• Billy And Blaze (1936)
• Blaze and the Gypsies (1937) (search Ebay or AddAll.com because this one is pretty rare)
• Blaze and The Forest Fire (1938)
• Blaze Finds the Trail (1950)
• Blaze and Thunderbolt (1955)
• Blaze and the Mountain Lion (1959)
• Blaze and the Indian Cave (1964) (this one is also rare.  Try Ebay and AddAll.com.)
• Blaze and the Lost Quarry (1966)
• Blaze and the Gray Spotted Pony (1968)
• Blaze Shows the Way (1969)
• Blaze finds Forgotten Roads (1970) (also rare.  Once more, Ebay and AddAll.com)