Catherine Cookson: Matty Doolin

Matty Doolin is the last young adult book by Catherine Cookson that I have. My copy is an August 1976 printing and is a story about the young boy titled who wishes to become a vet. His father expects him to work at the docks and can't provide a further education. However, dreams can happen and that's the plot of Matty Doolin!

Allan Kass illustrates our teen in a field holding a lamb while his dog is nearby. We see the beautiful English countryside and the boy who seems such a part of it! He wears work clothes of jeans, boots, and a jumper (or sweater) and has the longer haircut of a boy in the 1970's. It's a sweet cover and I hope that you enjoy the difference from his historical ones!

Catherine Cookson: Joe and the Gladiator

Next in our Allan Kass Book Cover list, we have a wonderful young adult book by Catherine Cookson, known for her adult stories, called Joe and the Gladiator. This copy was published by Signet in April 1977.

It is the story of a boy named Joe and a horse named The Gladiator, an old nag that now belongs to Joe and how he has to work hard to manage his upkeep. He has friends, like Anna and her father, the vet, but needs help and ideas in order to keep the horse.

Allan draws a wonderful picture of Joe and his horse! We see the young teen, proud and happy, with his horse, who is old and looks tired. The docks are in the background and we get the sense that Joe is smarter and able to rise above working as a common laborer. It's an interesting juxtaposition and says a lot about his family's life in England. Allan has a great ability to show the hopefulness in the boy and optimism that he can take good care of this horse, even though everyone else has doubts! I have another young adult book by C. Cookson tomorrow.