Natale Ghent Biography (1962-)

Children's author Natale Ghent grew up among horses, chickens, dogs, and an assortment of other animals. Born in Illinois, Ghent moved to the Canadian countryside Natale Ghent when she was seven. This rural upbringing shows itself in Piper, Ghent's first novel for middle readers, according to Canadian Materials critic Kristin Butcher. Writing about "a subject with which she is very familiar," observed Butcher, Ghent's "knowledge of all aspects of farm life, and particularly dogs, . . . makes this story come alive."

Piper follows the story of eleven-year-old Wesley, whose father dies, forcing Wesley and her mother to move in with her Aunt Cindy who lives on a farm, raising Wesley befriends a weak puppy and tries to train it to compete in a herding championship in Natale Ghent's touching tale of a lonely girl and her loyal devotion to her pet. (From Piper, illustrated by Cindy Ghent.) sheep. When one of her sheep dogs gives birth, Wesley begs her aunt to try to revive the runt of the litter, who is not breathing. Her aunt successfully brings it back to life, beginning a relationship between Wesley and the dog, Piper. Wesley begins to train Piper to be a herd dog and to eventually enter her in competition. When Wesley is attacked by a pack of coyotes and Piper comes to her aid, their part in the competition must be put on hold. However, the bond between the two only grows stronger. Booklist's Denise Wilms predicted that children "will respond to the drama near the story's end," finding Ghent's "interwoven information on training herd dogs . . . a plus." A Resource Links reviewer remarked that "This book portrays beautifully the relationship of a young girl and her dog."

In No Small Thing, the author's second work for children, an ad in the local newspaper changes the life of twelve-year-old Nathaniel and his family. Nathaniel is trying to cope with a younger sister who is a bit odd, an older sister with whom he is always fighting, and the loss of his father, who left the family. After reading an ad for a free pony, Nathaniel convinces his mother to let him take it. Subsequently, Nathaniel—and his family—embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Books in Canada reviewer Pat Barclay wrote that this experience "brings the whole family a measure of the security for which they yearn and a better understanding of each other." Gwyneth Evans, in a Quill & Quire review, credited Ghent for creating a "loveable young hero" who faces adversity with a positive attitude and judged the work as an "absorbing story."