Travel to the wild West and beyond with some inspiring horse and cowboy tales. These lovely, adventurous books are must-haves for equine lovers of all ages.

"Heartbeat for Horses," by Laura Chester and Donna Demari; Willow Creek Press; 192 pages; $29.95.

Writer/editor Laura Chester takes a brilliant array of prose and poetry from classic horse favorites, such as "Misty of Chincoteague" and "Black Beauty," and sprinkles in more contemporary works from horse appreciators and writers. Interwoven with moving text about the wild horses of Australia, from Elyne Mitchell's "The Silver Brumbry," to a point of view from an aging thoroughbred, (John Hawkes' "Sweet William"), this fantastic collection of equine literature is a must for fans.

Fine arts/fashion photographer Donna Demari interweaves dramatic, exciting photographs that capture the magic between girls and horses — a girl jockey at the track, teenage rodeo champion and girls in Tucson, Ariz., captured riding sidesaddle at a gallop.

Ever wondered why some kids, and adults, are horse crazy? This fabulously gorgeous coffee-table tome explains in words and pictures. Sure to inspire young riders and horse lovers everywhere, "Heartbeat for Horses" is a gem.

Laura Chester and Willow Creek Press also have a story for a slightly younger horse-loving crowd, "Marvel the Marvelous" (168 pages, $18.95). Set in the fantasy world, a young girl named Lee befriends Marvel, a magical pink pony, as they encounter and assist wild rivers and a polluted cave system.

Writer Chester also penned another horse-based fantasy novel for girls between the ages 8 of 12 — "Hiding Glory," the tale of a small blue horse and a lonely, timid girl. The pair battle a tribe of tidy-uppers known as the Kermudgins, who are threatening the natural beauty of their land of Joya.

Both fantasies would make lovely chapter book gifts for horse fans. Chester's goal, to remind readers that horses are as noble and kind and powerful and tender as they were a thousand years ago, rings through clearly in all her books.

"Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse" by Meghan McCarthy; Simon & Schuster; 32 pages; $15.99.

The tale of heralded racehorse Seabiscuit is perfect fodder for a picture book. McCarthy meticulously researched the life story of the originally funny looking horse on a losing streak, and believes some kids will certainly relate to the underdog's struggles.

Happily, the grandson of one of the greatest racehorses of all time made a successful rise to the top, when a risk-taker named Howard scooped him up at a bargain price. And the rest is history.

Fun, cartoon-like illustrations make McCarthy's "Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse" plenty child-friendly. A motivating and exciting tale for kids 4 to 8, the peppy book offers plenty of hope and determination for underdogs, and releases just in time to mark the 70th anniversary of Seabiscuit's historic race with War Admiral. (To be published in October).

"Tenth Avenue Cowboy" by Linda Oatman High; illustrated by Bill Farnsworth; Eerdmans Books for Young Readers; 32 pages; $17.

Though 7- to 10-year-olds read chapter books and novels, it's always fun for them to visit an advanced picture book from time to time. This historically-based tale fits the bill. The story of a boy named Ben who moves with his family from the West to New York City during the early part of the 20th century, "Tenth Avenue Cowboy" introduces real-life cowboys who actually rode through city streets warning of oncoming trains.

Young Ben gets the chance of a lifetime to ride with the Hell's Kitchen cowboys; he finds that it's nearly as exciting as he imagined the West would be, complete with cowboy hats and bandanas.

Short paragraphs with interspersed white space give readers time to pause and take in the dramatic paintings by Farnsworth. "Tenth Avenue Cowboy" proves that even through moving and upheaval, dreams can be had.

"The Toughest Cowboy" by John Frank; illustrated by Zachary Pullen; Aladdin/Simon & Schuster; 32 pages; $6.99.

With the most hilariously realistic illustrations I've seen in awhile, this new-in-paperback picture book introduces Grizz Brickbottom, a lonely cowboy who grows tired of fellow cowpokes' bad manners and dirty smells. His offbeat solution? To bring a fluffy miniature poodle onboard, to the shock and disapproval of the other hygiene-impaired tough guys.

Truly a rip-roarin' old West tall tale, Frank's authentic cowboy speak is fun to read aloud, and Pullen's witty, character-oriented illustrations are a hoot and a holler indeed. Boys, and girls, between the ages of 4 and 10 will guffaw with laughter.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.