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King of the Wind

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The story of the Godolphin Arabian

King of the Wind, a children's novel that won the Newbery Medal in 1949, is a retelling of the classic story of the Godolphin Arabian, the renowned horse that fathered a line of outstanding race horses. Among those whose ancestry is traced back to the Godolphin Arabian are Seabiscuit and Man o' War.

Though King of the Wind is heavily fictionalized, it gives children a good introduction to the life of this great stallion. The story is told through the eyes of a child, his loving and dedicated friend, Agba.

The Godolphin Arabian lived from 1724 to 1754.

Man o' War and the Godolphin Arabian

The Godolphin Arabian is the King of the Wind.

The novel starts with the story of the last race of Man o' War, one of the most famous race horses of all time. At the end of the chapter it is revealed that Man o' War's ancestry is traced to the Godolphin Arabian. The story of the Godolphin Arabian takes up the rest of the book.

King of the Wind - the original cover

This is the original cover for the book.

The birth of the Godolphin Arabian, King of the Wind

Here is how Marguerite Henry described Sham's birth:

"Agba woke. The stable walls had closed in again. And there was the mare lying on her side again, and now she was drying off a newborn foal! Her tongue-strokes filled the silence of the stall, licking, licking, licking." - Marguerite Henry

Doesn't it make you feel like you'd like to be there?

King of the Wind, by Marguerite Henry

Here's the link to get an inexpensive paperback copy of King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry.
King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian

King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian

by: Marguerite Henry

Amazon Price: $2.26 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

This is a classic story of a Moroccan stable boy whose first love was for a handsome Arabian stallion he named Sham.

Grimalkin

Did you ever know a horse with a pet cat? The Godolphin Arabian really had one. His name was Grimalkin. Marguerite included Grimalkin in her novel, King of the Wind:

"It was a strange threesome: the boy, the cat, and the horse. Each evening, at the first sound of cartwheels, Grimalkin would fly out of the shed. With a quick leap he was on Sham's back, miaowing and talking to him in his cat's way." - Marguerite Henry

Chapters in The King of the Wind

  1. The Great Son
  2. The Fast of Ramadan
  3. The Brood-Mare Stable
  4. A Foal Is Born
  5. The Wheat Ear
  6. Camel's Milk and Honey
  7. The Sultan's Command
  8. Six Steeds for a King
  9. Agba Measures Sham
  10. Salem Alick!
  11. The Boy King
  12. The Thieves' Kitchen
  13. Agba Becomes an Awakener
  14. A Strange Threesome
  15. Benjamin Biggle Goes for a Ride
  16. At the Sign of the Red Lion
  17. Newgate Jail
  18. The Visitors' Bell
  19. The Green Hills of Gog Magog
  20. Hobgoblin
  21. Wicken Fen
  22. God's Downs
  23. The Queen's Plate
  24. Father of the Turf

The REAL Godolphin Arabain

This is a painting of the REAL Godolphin Arabian.

The Godolphin Arabian has been called the best horse ever!

King of the Wind Audiobook

I love listening to audiobooks, don't you?
King of the Wind

King of the Wind

by: Marguerite Henry

Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Listen to this great novel instead of reading it. This is a great way for children to learn. Let them listen to it at bedtime. Very entertaining, and a great way to fall asleep! Also, this is perfect for those dyslexic or slow readers. Don't let dyslexia interfere with your child's enjoyment of great literature!

King of the Wind - What a beautiful horse!

This is the cover from the school library version. It has also been on Aladdin paperbacks and on the audiobook version.

Arabian Horse Heroes - King of the Wind

Arabian Horse Heros
by Apollopaloozarocks | video info

1,054 ratings | 1,846,889 views
curated content from YouTube

Learn More About the King of the Wind

Godolphin Arabian
The Godolphin Arabian's Wikipedia page.
Godolphin Arabian
Thoroughbred Heritage web site, portraits of famous thoroughbreds.
Godolphin Arabian
Godolphin Arabian pedigree and portrait.
The Godolphin Arabian
From the Goldolphin stable to racehorse fame.
The Godolphin Pedigree
Who did he sire?

A few of my other lenses about children's novels:

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Do you love horses?

...horse movies are some of my favorites!

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Your comments are welcome!

I'd like to know what you think of all this.

  • mini100 Jan 15, 2012 @ 4:56 pm | delete
    King of the Wind was one of my most-loved horse stories when I was a child. I am passionate about Arabian horses, and am disappointed in how hard it is to find good videos with real live Arabians in action. Arabians are amongst the more 'rare' breeds, but one day I am going to own several Arabians! Thank you for sharing this lens!
  • Ladymermaid Nov 29, 2011 @ 9:14 pm | delete
    King of the Wind sounds fascinating and heartwarming. Horses are majestic creatures and arabians are very beautiful creatures.
  • shamlover Sep 27, 2011 @ 6:25 pm | delete
    man i love this book i got on wikipedia and searched him but they got his decendents and description all wrong!but they did an ok job i suppose...
  • Mabel May 15, 2011 @ 4:11 pm | delete
    I loved this book as a child. I made sure to include it in my library when I grew up. If I had kids, I would make sure they read this classic story.
  • motorpurrr Jun 30, 2010 @ 2:31 pm | delete
    Thanks! I was looking for the story behind my Breyer, Sham. I didnt realize he was from this book.
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