The Little White Horse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
The Little White Horse

First edition
Author	Elizabeth Goudge
Illustrator	C. Walter Hodges Anne Yvonne Gilbert (1992)
Cover artist	C. Walter Hodges Anne Yvonne Gilbert (1992)
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Genre	Children's fantasy novel
Publisher	University of London Press
Publication date	June 1946
Media type	Print (hardcover)
Pages	286 pp (first edition)
OCLC	12658611
LC Class	PZ7.G71 Li

The Little White Horse is a magical children's book written by Elizabeth Goudge. It was first published in 1946. The story is about a young teenage girl who becomes an orphan. She moves to a mysterious old house in the English countryside. This house, the village, and everything around them are full of secrets and magic. The "little white horse" in the title is actually a unicorn! The book has beautiful illustrations by C. Walter Hodges and Anne Yvonne Gilbert.

Elizabeth Goudge won the important Carnegie Medal for this book. This award is given to the best children's book by a British writer each year. The Little White Horse has also been made into movies and TV shows. People all over the world enjoy this story. It has been translated into 11 different languages.

The Story of Maria Merryweather

The story begins in 1842. A girl named Maria Merryweather is 13 years old. She becomes an orphan after her father passes away. Maria moves to a place called Moonacre Manor. It is located in the West Country of England. Her governess, Miss Heliotrope, and her dog, Wiggins, come with her.

Maria quickly finds that Moonacre Manor is a very special place. It feels like time has stopped there. Her cousin, Sir Benjamin Merryweather, is her new guardian. Maria likes him right away. She learns that there is an old secret about the manor. Maria is helped by many wonderful people and magical animals. She shows great bravery and never gives up. Because of her efforts, Maria is able to save Moonacre. She fixes old problems and brings peace back to the valley. She even helps reunite people who were separated.

Main Characters

• Maria Merryweather – She is the main character. Maria is a smart 13-year-old girl. She has red hair and freckles. Maria saves a hare in the forest. She names it Serena and keeps it as her pet.
• Miss Jane Heliotrope – Maria's governess. She is very tall and has pretty blue eyes. She has old-fashioned ways.
• Sir Benjamin Merryweather – Maria's kind cousin and guardian. He lives at Moonacre Manor.
• Marmaduke Scarlet – Sir Benjamin's cook and housekeeper. He is a wonderful chef. He owns a special cat named Zachariah. Marmaduke likes his kitchen to be private.
• Digweed – Sir Benjamin's helpful coachman and gardener.
• Loveday Minette – Sir Benjamin's former fiancée. She loves pink geraniums. They had an argument about flowers. Loveday then left Moonacre and got married.
• Robin – Loveday Minette's son. He becomes friends with Maria.
• Old Parson – The local church leader. He helps Maria with an important task. His real name is Louis de Fontenelle. He was Miss Heliotrope's childhood friend.
• Monsieur Coque de Noir – The bad guy in the story. He owns a castle in the pine wood. He leads a group of wicked people.

Amazing Animals

• Zachariah – Marmaduke's special cat. He is very clever. Zachariah helps Maria and Robin. He can even write messages in the fireplace ashes!
• Wrolf (pronounced Rolf) – A majestic lion. He acts as Maria's special protector. Sir Benjamin and others think he is just a big dog.
• Serena – A quick hare that Maria saves. She becomes Maria's beloved pet.
• Wiggins – Maria's loyal dog. He loves to eat!
• Periwinkle – Maria's gentle grey pony. Her other name is Joy-of-the-Ground.

Book to Screen: Adaptations

The Little White Horse has been brought to life on screen.

• A TV mini-series called Moonacre was made in 1994. It was loosely based on the book.
• In 2008, the book was made into a movie called The Secret of Moonacre. It starred Dakota Blue Richards as Maria. The movie was filmed mostly in Hungary. It came out in February 2009.

Did you know that J. K. Rowling, the famous author of the Harry Potter books, said that The Little White Horse was her favorite book when she was a child?