
At a Glance
176 Pages
8+
19.5 x 13 x 1.5
Paperback
RRP $19.99
$18.75
or 4 interest-free payments of $4.69 with
Alison Lester's classic horseback adventure, set in the rugged yet romantic Australian coastal bush.
'Biddy, I'm sorry, we're going to have to leave her.'
'What?' Biddy struggled out of the quicksand. 'You can't leave her! The tide's coming in. She'll drown!'
But the pony is trapped and Biddy is forced to go on without her. Next day the only signs of Bella are hoofprints in the sand with small footprints and the paw marks of a dog. Who could be so small and be alone on this remote beach?
Biddy's search takes her into wild, secret country where she discovers the truth about a mysterious disappearance that happened many years ago.
Alison Lester's picture books are loved by families all around the world. In this timeless Australian children's classic, she proves herself as a born storyteller.
About the Author
Alison Lester grew up on a farm by the sea, and first rode a horse as a baby in her father's arms. Her picture books mix imaginary worlds with everyday life, encouraging children to believe in themselves and celebrate the differences that make them special. Alison is involved in many community art projects and spends part of every year travelling to remote Indigenous communities, using her books to help children and adults write and draw about their own lives.
In 2012, Alison became Australia's first Children's Book Laureate, a position she shared with Boori Monty Pryor. In 2016, she was awarded the Dromkeen Medal for her outstanding achievement in the creation of Australian children's and young adult literature, and in 2018 she became the first children's book creator to win the Melbourne Prize for Literature, for her outstanding contribution to Australian literature and cultural and intellectual life. In 2019, Alison was awarded an Australia Post Legends Award and featured on a stamp, as well as being the recipient of a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2019 Australia Day Honours List.
Industry Reviews
'A story of family and community, of strong positive values, of communication across the generations and of issues of personal responsibility, love and friendship, death and survival...In turn exciting and deeply moving.' Reading Time
'So rich and multi-layered...A gripping adventure story, a tale of survival, an engaging mystery, a touching animal story, and a family saga...This book will be easy to recommend to readers of varied interests.' School Library Journal, USA
'The two stories move easily together, both enriched with vivid description, which evokes a strong sense of place. The action is smoothly paced, with tension well maintained...Highly recommended.' Magpies
'Young readers will find this a fascinating adventure, and are more than likely to campaign for a bush holiday to try out their own survival skills.' Children's Bookseller + Publisher
'Lester's experience of what was clearly a happy Australian childhood shines through The Quicksand Pony.' Nadia Wheatley, Australian Book Review
'The Quicksand Pony creates a world of horses and freedom. Sensitive use of Lester's own photographs supports (rather than limits) the story's imaginative range.' The Sydney Morning Herald
'With her first junior novel, a gripping adventure full of vivid characters, atmosphere and suspense, Lester confirms her skill as a writer and demonstrates her understanding of what fires children's imagination.' READINGS
'Lester maintains the drama and suspense in this satisfying read.' The Courier-Mail
'Set in Australia's rugged outback, The Quicksand Pony is a delightful book filled with mystery, suspense and it has a great ending. A great read for teenagers. I give it 8/10.' Nicole Hayward, 15, The Sun-Herald
'...as relevant and as gripping as it was on first release.' Aussie Reviews
'Alison Lester never disappoints.' Books+Publishing"
ISBN: 9781760526306
ISBN-10: 1760526304
Published: 2nd March 2021
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 176
Audience: Children
For Ages: 8+ years old
Publisher: A&U Children's & YA
Dimensions (cm): 19.5 x 13 x 1.5
Weight (kg): 0.17

Alison Lester
Alison Lester is one of Australia's most popular and bestselling creators of children's books.
She has won many awards, including the 2005 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Picture Book of the Year Award for Are We There Yet? and the 2012 CBCA Eve Pownall Book of the Year Award for One Small Island.
Her picture books include Running With the Horses, a story based on the evacuation of the world-famous Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during World War Two; One Small Island, about the possibility of hope and environmental preservation for a World Heritage listed island and for the world itself; Sophie Scott Goes South about a little girl's voyage to Antarctica and the sense of wonder that it brings; and Kissed by the Moon, a lyrical celebration of the natural world and all that it has to offer a child.
Meet Alison Lester
Alison Lester was born in Victoria in 1952, and spent her childhood growing up on a farm that overlooked the sea. She went to boarding school at St Margaret’s School in Victoria, and earned a higher diploma in teaching from the Melbourne Teacher’s College. Here, she trained as a secondary arts and crafts teacher.
While she loved teaching, she hated the routine of school. When she had her first child, she wanted to be able to work from home, so she called the Oxford University Press and asked for a job. She landed an interview, showed them her folio, and got a job as an illustrator.
She spent five years illustrating other people’s works before she tried writing one of her own. That’s why she wrote and illustrated Clive Eats Alligators, and how she started her career as both an author and illustrator.
Today, Alison lives on a farm in the Victorian countryside. She spends part of each year travelling to schools around Australia, helping students and teachers develop their own stories.
What kind of books does Alison Lester write and illustrate?
She is a bestselling author and illustrator of children's books, primarily picture books and early readers that celebrate nature, animals, travel and imaginative play; some works draw on history and environmental themes.
Which are some of Alison Lester's best-known titles?
Notable titles referenced include Magic Beach, Are We There Yet?, One Small Island, Kissed by the Moon, Imagine, My Farm, Running With the Horses, Sophie Scott Goes South, Clive Eats Alligators and the Noni the Pony books.
Has Alison Lester won any major awards for her books?
Yes. She won the 2005 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Picture Book of the Year for Are We There Yet? and the 2012 CBCA Eve Pownall Book of the Year for One Small Island, among other honours.
Are any of her books part of a series or feature recurring characters?
Yes. She has series and recurring characters, for example the Clive Eats Alligators series and the Noni the Pony books; many other titles are standalone picture books.
Where is a good place to start if I'm new to Alison Lester's work?
For lyrical picture-book introductions try Kissed by the Moon or Imagine; for classic Australian childhood stories try My Farm or Are We There Yet?; for early-reader series try the Noni the Pony books or the Clive Eats Alligators titles.
Shipping
| Standard Shipping | Express Shipping | |
|---|---|---|
| Metro postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
| Regional postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
| Rural postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.
How to return your order
At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.
Additional postage charges may be applicable.
Defective items
If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.
For more info please visit our Help Centre.
























