Penny Goes to Washington DC
July of 2005, Barbara Knight of Crooked
River Ranch, realized her dream. A fully printed and
published children’s book, “The Rescue with Penny the
Mustang Pony,” that is a delightful, brightly
illustrated book that provides a lesson to children of
all ages. Book one has been flying off the shelves and
shipped by Barbara at a fast pace.
Back in May 2006,
Barbara sent a copy of her book and a letter to the
White House. As many are aware, the First Lady, Laura
Bush is an avid supporter of children’s reading programs
and books that help to educate them. To Barbara’s
delight, when she went to the mailbox in July, there was
a return letter from the First Lady.
Not only is the White House aware
of one of our neighbors, but Central Oregon shows that
we have some very gifted people living here. Barbara
Knight, children’s book author and Dale ‘Wink’ Burgess
who illustrated the book for her.
Article Written by: Kristi Stone
About the Author
"Children of today need more reality."
This is the reason Barbara Knight wrote "THE RESCUE" with Penny the Mustang Pony, a book for children of all ages. This book is the first one in a series of seven. Barbara says the story takes place in the mid-1800's and is as real as it gets for the time period. Penny has some of the same challenges growing up that young people face today. In this book, Penny must decide to follow her peers or mind her Mother, thus avoiding a dangerous situation. Each of Penny's stories have a lesson that children can relate to their own life experiences.
Barbara was born and raised on a farm in Nebraska and has a love for horses that began when her Uncle gave her a pony when she was about 8 years old. Since then she has had up to 4 horses at one time. They were Mustangs that she adopted from Burns, Oregon, some 15 or more years ago. Barbara feels that so many of the books written for children today are full of fantasy or cartoons that do not reflect real life. Penny can be seen as a real-life pony. Barbara of Crooked River Ranch, Oregon lives with her husband, Randy, her Mother and 2 cats. She also enjoys helping her husband build the growing popularity of the Big Dog Saloon, at Crooked River Ranch. Barbara has 2 daughters, three granddaughters and 2 great-grandchildren.
The book's illustrator is Dale "Wink" Burgess, who grew up in Wisconsin. He and his wife Rue live by Smith Rock. He also loves horses and even raises a few now. Wink's favorite hobby and livelihood comes from his leather works. "If it is made with leather, he can make it." He also does paintings with oil, water colors or pencil. Wink can be reached at (541) 923-0520 if you need your leather repaired or a painting.
Barbara has finished book two called "The Cowboys," and book three called "The Storm" all three are now available. Barbara can be reached by phone at (541) 504-9620 or e-mail at bknightmustanbks@netzero.net She'd love to hear from you.
