Janet Randall

American author, mainly of children's and young adult books. She has written a number of stories featuring ponies and one donkey story. The quirkily-named Saddles For Breakfast has a ranch setting which recreates the author's own childhood learning to ride on a ranch. Burro Canyon highlighted the need to protect the wild burros (donkeys) of America.

Janet Randall also writes under the name Jan Young, under which she has co-authored a number of books with her husband Bob Young.

Pony Books:

MIRACLE OF SAGE VALLEY
(LONGMANS [USA] 1958)
ILLUSTRATED BY BRINTON TURKLE
SUMMARY: Pat is annoyed when she is sent away to a dude ranch for the summer. But once there, she enjoys it.

SADDLES FOR BREAKFAST
(LONGMANS GREEN  & CO [USA] 1961)
ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL LAUNE
Also a book club edition
SUMMARY: Robin is excited to take a summer job at her cousin's riding academy in the canyons of Southern California, but when she arrives she finds it's not the gleaming showplace of her dreams. Robin and her cousin and their friends work hard to rebuild the riding school.

PONY GIRL
(McKAY [USA] 1963)
ILLUSTRATED BY DOROTHY BAYLEY
SUMMARY: When her father remarries and sells their ranch, Peg must except their new life giving pony rides at Happiland Park.

BURRO CANYON
(McKAY [USA] 1964)
ILLUSTRATED BY RICHARD W. LEWIS
SUMMARY: Cara sets off to explore the countryside around her family's new ranch, hoping to see some wild burros. But she is shocked to find that hunters have depleted the herds!

JELLYFOOT
(McKAY [USA] 1964)
ILLUSTRATED BY EMIL WEISS
SUMMARY: The buckskin mare Jellyfoot is rescued by Lori from quicksand. She repays her by helping her get along with the new foster child, Kit.

Collector's Info:
Saddles for Breakfast and Burro Canyon are fairly easy to find in the USA. The others are a bit rarer. All of them are hard to find elsewhere and may be expensive.