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Five O'Clock Charlie
Charlie's not old! So what if he's 28 and most people consider that a little old for a horse. When his rheumatism isn't acting up, he's as frisky as any young colt. And he's certainly not ready for retirement. Charlie can tackle any tough job that comes his way.
Unfortunately, Mr. Spinks, Charlie's owner, doesn't quite agree. So he makes Charlie take a permanent, though well-deserved, vacation. Poor Charlie is bored to death!
But then Charlie discovers there is something he can do. Maybe retirement isn't so boring after all!?!
48 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1962
3 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Henry
124 books750 followersMarguerite Henry (April 13, 1902–November 26, 1997) was an American writer. The author of fifty-nine books based on true stories of horses and other animals, her work has captivated entire generations of children and young adults and won several Newbery Awards and Honors. Among the more famous of her works was Misty of Chincoteague, which was the basis for the 1961 movie Misty, and several sequel books.
"It is exciting to me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower ... even in the new age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder and challenge." This quote was from an article about Henry published in the Washington Post on November 28, 1997, in response to a query about her drive to write about horses.
Marguerite Henry inspired children all over the world with her love of animals, especially horses. Author of over fifty children's stories, including the Misty of Chincoteague series, Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with a rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Soon afterward, she also discovered a love for writing when her father, a publisher, presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. On the top of stacks of colored paper her father wrote, "Dear Last of the Mohicans: Not a penny for your thoughts, but a tablet. Merry Christmas! Pappa Louis XXXX."
Henry's first published work came at the age of eleven, a short story about a collie and a group of children, which she sold to a magazine for $12. Henry always wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite's stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois.
In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon—were made into movies.
She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
"It is exciting to me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower ... even in the new age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder and challenge." This quote was from an article about Henry published in the Washington Post on November 28, 1997, in response to a query about her drive to write about horses.
Marguerite Henry inspired children all over the world with her love of animals, especially horses. Author of over fifty children's stories, including the Misty of Chincoteague series, Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with a rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Soon afterward, she also discovered a love for writing when her father, a publisher, presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. On the top of stacks of colored paper her father wrote, "Dear Last of the Mohicans: Not a penny for your thoughts, but a tablet. Merry Christmas! Pappa Louis XXXX."
Henry's first published work came at the age of eleven, a short story about a collie and a group of children, which she sold to a magazine for $12. Henry always wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite's stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois.
In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon—were made into movies.
She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 13, 2016
"Five O'clock Charlie" (Simon and Schuster, 1962) is one of the most beloved children's books by prolific American author Marguerite Henry (1902 - 1997). The story was not a new one to avid Henry readers. A version appeared in "Album of Horses" in 1951 under the chapter entitled "The Routine of Happiness", but this version was simplified and twisted around to make it more accessible to younger readers.
"Five O'clock Charlie" has been reprinted many times. To find a first edition hardback is a treasure indeed.
Changes
There were some changes made between the original version and what appeared eleven years later in "Five O'clock Charlie". In the original version, Charlie was grey and a mill horse. His job was to walk around and around a millstone as it crushed wheat into flour. When he was retired to pasture, he hated it - until he found a tree he could walk around during the hours he normally would have worked. In this way, he happily spent his retirement.
Now that Charlie got a book all to himself, he turned into a chestnut with a blonde mane and tail. He also had a wide blaze and four neat white socks. His job had also changed from turning a millstone to pulling a cart for his farmer owner, Mr. Spinks. At five o'clock every day for over twenty years, Charlie and Mr. Spinks would rush to the pub -- for apple pie. This is a children's book, remember.
But then Charlie is retired at the grand old age of 28. Charlie is not happy about it -- mostly because he couldn’t get any more pie.
Best Points
Although Henry often wove real details into her stories, such was not the case with "Five O'clock Charlie". This was a pure fabrication of her imagination, based on a story she heard about an old grey English mill horse that walked in circles all of his life inretirement just as he had done when he powered a millstone.
This story has all of Henry's storytelling charm. She is best at portraying the inner lives of animals. She also adds just enough detail without putting you to sleep.
However, the best part of "Five O'clock Charlie" are the wonderful illustrations by the late great Wesley Dennis (1903 - 1966), who also was featured in a chapter on polo ponies in "Album of Horses". Dennis and Henry collaborated on some of Henry's most famous books, including the classic "Misty of Chincoteague" (1947).
Dennis was not the best artist of people because they all tended to look alike. But his real forte lay in portraying incredibly realistic yet charismatic animals. Charlie has almost human facial expressions, yet Dennis has not strayed from equine anatomy in order to achieve this affect.
Although a children’s book, “Five O’clock Charlie” will appeal to horse lovers of all ages and even to those facing retirement.
"Five O'clock Charlie" has been reprinted many times. To find a first edition hardback is a treasure indeed.
Changes
There were some changes made between the original version and what appeared eleven years later in "Five O'clock Charlie". In the original version, Charlie was grey and a mill horse. His job was to walk around and around a millstone as it crushed wheat into flour. When he was retired to pasture, he hated it - until he found a tree he could walk around during the hours he normally would have worked. In this way, he happily spent his retirement.
Now that Charlie got a book all to himself, he turned into a chestnut with a blonde mane and tail. He also had a wide blaze and four neat white socks. His job had also changed from turning a millstone to pulling a cart for his farmer owner, Mr. Spinks. At five o'clock every day for over twenty years, Charlie and Mr. Spinks would rush to the pub -- for apple pie. This is a children's book, remember.
But then Charlie is retired at the grand old age of 28. Charlie is not happy about it -- mostly because he couldn’t get any more pie.
Best Points
Although Henry often wove real details into her stories, such was not the case with "Five O'clock Charlie". This was a pure fabrication of her imagination, based on a story she heard about an old grey English mill horse that walked in circles all of his life inretirement just as he had done when he powered a millstone.
This story has all of Henry's storytelling charm. She is best at portraying the inner lives of animals. She also adds just enough detail without putting you to sleep.
However, the best part of "Five O'clock Charlie" are the wonderful illustrations by the late great Wesley Dennis (1903 - 1966), who also was featured in a chapter on polo ponies in "Album of Horses". Dennis and Henry collaborated on some of Henry's most famous books, including the classic "Misty of Chincoteague" (1947).
Dennis was not the best artist of people because they all tended to look alike. But his real forte lay in portraying incredibly realistic yet charismatic animals. Charlie has almost human facial expressions, yet Dennis has not strayed from equine anatomy in order to achieve this affect.
Although a children’s book, “Five O’clock Charlie” will appeal to horse lovers of all ages and even to those facing retirement.
March 10, 2009
Love this illustrated story of an old cart horse who refuses to retire . . . and give up getting his favorite treats down at the local inn.
February 25, 2017
Enjoy reading this illustrated book to kids. As enjoyable for the adult reader as the listening children. Picture of a small town and the people who live there.
August 4, 2014
This is a book that my siblings and I read when we were children. I just now recently re-read it, and it's full of sentimental charm. I was rooting for the horse to escape and find some happiness in places he loved and remembered. In a way, this story is more for older folk, than younger folk, because the older you are, the more you can sympathize with Charlie. Old Folk don't want to be put out to pasture until they are good and ready!
April 8, 2017
I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
March 16, 2016
Read this book when I was a kid many many decades ago. Ordered it on Amazon to have it again. Drawings are absolutely wonderful and the story, which is really about Boredom in Retirement and loss of meaning in life without work, is delightful.
So happy to have it back again.
So happy to have it back again.
August 9, 2012
Charlie is a retired work horse. He misses his daily work routine so one day he decides to do something about it! A charming and uplifting children's story for all ages.
April 1, 2020
A favorite reread, this is a great introduction to Marguerite Henry's horse books, being short enough to read in one sitting. Charlie doesn't like retirement and after a boring month, he finds a way to spice up his life again.
Review from Tasha: "I love it even though he broke the fence and the man tried to fix it, but the man didn't fix it, and that was super weird."
Review from Tasha: "I love it even though he broke the fence and the man tried to fix it, but the man didn't fix it, and that was super weird."
May 17, 2020
A delightful story about an old work horse who loved apple tarts and having a job in life.
June 22, 2022
A childhood favorite of my dear friend Lorraine.
July 10, 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for an adorable story with beautiful illustrations.
November 16, 2025
A childhood favorite for my brothers and I
September 7, 2008
A childhood favorite.
December 18, 2011
Love it!
January 20, 2011
This was one of my favorite books growing up!!
June 30, 2012
Notes:
one of our favorite horse stories
set in horse/wagon days
color and b/w illustrations
one of our favorite horse stories
set in horse/wagon days
color and b/w illustrations
Read
November 5, 2016I probably read everyone of Ms Henry's books as I had not done so as a young child.
January 17, 2017
I have been revisiting these wonderful books from my chidhood recently. I think I read & loved everyone of them. Wonderful illustrations by Wesley Dennis.
October 20, 2023
""
A very young children's book, but very cute.
A very young children's book, but very cute.
Read
July 19, 2025We really enjoyed this short but sweet story. :)
August 7, 2008
Such a little book, but soooooooo much fun!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews