What do you think?
Rate this book
Big Ben
Kids send him valentines. Grown-ups ask for his autograph. Fans of all ages bake him bran muffins. When he is sick, get-well wishes arrive by the dozen. When he performs, crowds leap to their feet and cheer. Who is this world famous character? He is Big Ben, Canada's greatest show jumper, and this is his from too-tall, funny-looking colt to world champion; from dramatic brushes with death to triumphant comebacks. Big Ben has a spirit that just won't quit, and that spirit has helped make him one of the most successful horses in history!
- GenresHorsesNonfiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Lawrence Scanlan
29 books23 followersFrom Macmillan Books:
Lawrence Scanlan is the author of six bestselling books, including Wild About Horses and Little Horse of Iron. He is the coauthor, with Ian Millar, of Riding High, and has written three books for younger readers: Big Ben, Horses Forever, and The Horse’s Shadow. Scanlan worked closely with Monty Roberts on his acclaimed book The Man Who Listens to Horses. Winner of three Canadian National Magazine Awards for his journalism, Scanlan lives in Kingston, Ontario.
Lawrence Scanlan is the author of six bestselling books, including Wild About Horses and Little Horse of Iron. He is the coauthor, with Ian Millar, of Riding High, and has written three books for younger readers: Big Ben, Horses Forever, and The Horse’s Shadow. Scanlan worked closely with Monty Roberts on his acclaimed book The Man Who Listens to Horses. Winner of three Canadian National Magazine Awards for his journalism, Scanlan lives in Kingston, Ontario.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 31, 2025
Scanlan #1
Big Ben is not a clock in this book, he is a horse and this is a biography of the said horse.
I looked up to see if there was a word for a biography for a horse, but alas no such word exists at this time.
Perhaps we should invent one?
What would you call a biography of a horse?
A Neighgraphy?
Anyway enough of that guff, this was the story of this horse who was successful and had periods where he wasn't mainly in the Olympics, one does wonder though how much of that is on the rider, which is not really discussed in this book.
It was an average factual based book about the horse, which held a favourable opinion of the horse and I guess was like a long Wikipedia article more than anything.
Big Ben is not a clock in this book, he is a horse and this is a biography of the said horse.
I looked up to see if there was a word for a biography for a horse, but alas no such word exists at this time.
Perhaps we should invent one?
What would you call a biography of a horse?
A Neighgraphy?
Anyway enough of that guff, this was the story of this horse who was successful and had periods where he wasn't mainly in the Olympics, one does wonder though how much of that is on the rider, which is not really discussed in this book.
It was an average factual based book about the horse, which held a favourable opinion of the horse and I guess was like a long Wikipedia article more than anything.
March 30, 2026
Dnf after 10 pages :/
September 30, 2012
Good book for kids. Would love to read the in-depth, full-length story of this horse.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews