"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents, grumbled Jo, lying on the rug"

<p>I think I read just about everything Noel Streatfeild wrote (Ballet Shoes author) including her adult books. Other favorites from my childhood were Arthur Ransome, Madeleine L’Engle, Edward Eager and E. Nesbit.</p>

<p>In addition to the American horse books I read a fair number of British ones like the ones by the Pullein-Thompson sisters and Ruby Furgeson (Jill had two Ponies)</p>

<p>I’ve driven across the country three times, but still haven’t managed to do the route that would take me through Laura Ingalls Wilder country. :(</p>