About the Author
Diane W. Keaster, a Salmon, Idaho author, allows ‘children’ of all ages to enjoy the life of a young girl growing up on a ranch in Montana and riding in Idaho. Her ‘ZC Horses’ series of children’s books has colorful, easy-reading material for any level of reader. The true stories in these non-fiction books are enjoyed by readers from two to eighty-two, men, women, children and youth. Vivid illustrations by Montana and Idaho Western artists bring the stories to life. ‘Chick-The Beginning’, ‘Chick-The Saddle Horse’, and ‘Chick-The Mom’ center around the matriarch in this line of horses. The rest of the titles go into her offspring and friends. Author-written AR tests are free. Rennaissance has tested the books for their reading level. (3.6-4.2) The books are also considered high interest/low vocab and used for ESL programs.
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Diane was born and raised on a ranch near Belt, Montana. She graduated with a B.S. from Montana State University in Bozeman. After experiencing professions ranging from teaching to horse trading, commercial driver to legal work, raising horses to construction work, Diane has retired to spend her time writing her books.
Through the years, Diane has team roped, raised, broke and trained horses, traded them and enjoyed them. She has combined her knowledge of horses and writing, hands-on experience and training with horses, her ranch life and her love of children and horses to make thoroughly enjoyable stories.
Diane takes time out from her writing to be a presenter at library and reading conferences and conducts workshops for colleges. She also goes into schools throughout the country making presentations to the children.
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Comments about the ‘ZC Horses’ books have included:
“My child hates to read but started loving it because of these books.”
“My husband compares these books to ‘Hank The Cowdog’ books.”
“My husband just loves these books.”
“I just love ‘Chick’.” (Forty-year old man)
“I love the books because I had a horse when I was young.” (Fifty-year old woman)
“My young child wanted me to reread the book as soon as I had read it to him.”
“Every night when I read a chapter to my son he begs me to read more.”
“The older kids that do not read well are enjoying the books because the story is interesting to all ages but it is easy to read.”
“The junior high boys are not intimidated by these books because they are good stories but not very long.” (74-80 pages)
“I have never bought paperback books for our school before, but am glad I decided to buy yours! The kids love them!”
“What a great addition to our library!”
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