Ben M. Baglio
Author of Kittens in the Kitchen (Animal Ark)
About the Author
Ben M. Baglio was born in New York in 1960, and grew up in a small town in New Jersey. Baglio studied English Literature at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, he worked as a children's book editor in New York City. Five years later, a job at publishing house in England became show more available and he moved there to accept the position. Some time after that, Baglio decided to try his own hand at writing and created the characters of Mandy Hope and James Hunter. Their adventures became known as the Animal Ark series. The books originally were published in England, under the pseudonym Lucy Daniels, and have since gone on to be published in the USA and translated into 15 languages. There is also a live-action television series based on the books in England. Some of Ben Baglio's titles are The Brave Bunny, Sheepdog In The Snow, and Spaniel in a Stocking. Baglio has also contributed one title, The First Olympics, to the Choose Your Own Adventure gamebook series. Baglio also wrote the Horseshoe Trilogies. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
(dut) Lucy Daniels is a pseudonym under which several authors have written books for the Animal Ark series and other series created by Ben M. Baglio. Authors who have written as "Lucy Daniels" include Sue Welford, Jenny Oldfield, and Helen Magee. Some of the books published under the name Lucy Daniels in the UK were published under the name Ben M. Baglio in the US.
Lucy Daniels is a pseudonym under which several authors have written books for the Animal Ark series and other series created by Ben M. Baglio. Authors who have written as "Lucy Daniels" include Sue Welford, Jenny Oldfield, and Helen Magee. Some of the books published under the name Lucy Daniels in the UK were published under the name Ben M. Baglio in the US.
Because there are other authors named "Lucy Daniels", do not combine this page with that split author page.
Image credit: via Scholastic Kids
Series
Works by Ben M. Baglio
Foals in the Field/Dog at the Door/Horse in the House/Pony in a Package (Animal Ark Series 24-27) (2002) 120 copies, 1 review
Into the Blue/Touching the Waves/Riding the Storm (Dolphin Diaries, Books 1-3) (3 Books in 1) (2005) 48 copies
Animal Ark Dog Days Collection: Puppies in the Pantry/Dog at the Door/Sheepdog in the Snow (2006) 22 copies
Animal Ark Holiday Treasury Box Set of 4 (Kitten in the Candy Corn/ Colt on Christmas Eve/ Husky With a Heart/ Bunny in a Basket) (2006) 14 copies
Animal Ark: Kitten Collection (Kittens in the Kitchen, Kitten in the Candy Corn, Kitten in the Cold) (2007) 11 copies
Horse & Pony set (Racehorse in the Rain, Ponies at the Point, Mare in the Meadow, Foals in the Field) (Animal Ark) (2006) 7 copies
Dolphin Diaries (Books 1-4) (Into the Blue, Touching the Waves, Riding the Storm, Under the Stars) (2002) 3 copies
Animal Ark Autumn 3 Pack: Kitten in the Candy Corn/Pony in a Pumpkin Patch/Labrador in the Leaves (Animal Ark) (2009) 3 copies
Roo on the Rock 3 copies
Animal Ark Pets Boxed Set 1-6: Puppy Puzzle, Kitten Crowd, Rabbit Race, Hamster Hotel, Mouse Magic & Chick Challenge (1996) 3 copies
Nine Lives 2 copies
Kitten Crowd 1 copy
Animal Ark Bears in the Barn 1 copy
Animal Ark Cat in the Crypt 1 copy
Rabbit Rage 1 copy
Sheepdog in the Snow 1 copy
Animal Ark Pets Mouse Magic 1 copy
Cats at the Campgroun 1 copy
Dalmations in the daisies 1 copy
Nine Lives Series - Books 1, 2, 3 (#1 Ginger, Nutmeg and Clove, #2 Emerald, Amber and Jet, #3 Daisy, Buttercup and Weed) (1999) 1 copy
Dolphin Diaries 7-10 Set (Following the Rainbow ~ Dancing the Seas ~ Leaving the Shallows ~ Beyond the Sunrise) (2002) 1 copy
Cat & Kitten Box Set (Animal Ark, Tabby in the tub, kittens in the kitchen, kitten in the cold, cats at the campground) (1999) 1 copy
Koalas in a Crisis 1 copy
Gerbel Genius, Puppy Puzzle, and Kitten Crowd 3 Vol. Set (Animal Ark Pets, Vols. 1, 2, 9.) (1998) 1 copy
Animal Ark Hauntings #1 1 copy
Cats at the Campground (Animal Ark Series #32) by Baglio, Ben M. (2004) Mass Market Paperback 1 copy
Kittens in the Kitchens 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Baglio, Ben M.
- Other names
- Daniels, Lucy
- Birthdate
- 1960
- Gender
- male
- Education
- University of Pennsylvania
- Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- New York, New York, USA
- Map Location
- USA
- Disambiguation notice
- Lucy Daniels is a pseudonym under which several authors have written books for the Animal Ark series and other series created by Ben M. Baglio. Authors who have written as "Lucy Daniels" include Sue Welford, Jenny Oldfield, and Helen Magee. Some of the books published under the name Lucy Daniels in the UK were published under the name Ben M. Baglio in the US.
Because there are other authors named "Lucy Daniels", do not combine this page with that split author page. - Associated Place (for map)
- New York, USA
Members
Reviews
I have fond memories of reading Animal Ark as a kid. Along with all the other series I'm revisiting at the moment, I've decided to set out to read all of Animal Ark. I know I read a hell of a lot of them but I know I didn't quite get through the whole lot.
Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her show more parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.
This time it's a pony with allergies that needs saving. Well and Mandy to figure out that the horse has allergies. There's a lot of foreshadowing, so it's fairly obvious. Prince the pony (who lives down the road from Mandy) gets a new owner - the new girl in Mandy's class, Susan. Susan is a bit of a spoilt brat and doesn't take Mandy's advice about her new horse well at all. Mandy is very mature with how she reacts to Susan's barbs. Bit funny in a very cheesy way. Love James' dog Blackie who is a devil. 3 stars for the target audience, 2 stars for me. This one was kind of boring.
One interesting thing of note is that Susan Collins appears to be the main character of Snowflakes Over Moon Cottage one of the new books in the Hope Meadows/Animal Ark Revisited series. show less
Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her show more parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.
This time it's a pony with allergies that needs saving. Well and Mandy to figure out that the horse has allergies.
One interesting thing of note is that Susan Collins appears to be the main character of Snowflakes Over Moon Cottage one of the new books in the Hope Meadows/Animal Ark Revisited series. show less
I have fond memories of reading Animal Ark as a kid. Along with all the other series I'm revisiting at the moment, I've decided to set out to read all of Animal Ark. I know I read a hell of a lot of them but I know I didn't quite get through the whole lot.
Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her show more parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.
Houdini the Goat is a master escape artist intent on getting next door and eating Sam Western's prized plants. Houdini's owner, Lydia Fawcett runs High Cross Farm - a small rundown farm with a herd of goats. She sells the goat milk to a local cheese factory run by Mr Wintersgill but the farm is in disrepair and the money she earns is barely enough to cover the food. Houdini's constant escapes don't help - Sam Western is extremely angry that Houdini keeps getting in to his yard. So much so that this time Houdini crosses his path, Sam feeds him Rhododendron - a plant fatal to goats. Mandy and James find Houdini and Sam and rescue Houdini, but he's pretty ill. Her parents examine him and declare there's nothing else they can do but Mandy refuses to give up. She remembers an old countryman's remedy and begs her parents to try it.
Thankfully it works but Mandy comes to realise it's not as simple as just healing Houdini. The farm is in dire straits and Lydia can barely afford to feed the animals at all. Mandy as per usual, steps in. Her first step is to find extra food for the goats. She actually comes up with a pretty good idea, applying to the local grocery store to donate extra produce in return for the good publicity of helping out. When they say they couldn't afford to deliver it as well, Mandy and James volunteer to pick it up and ride it over on their bikes.
The next issue that needs to be rectified is the fences. Mr Hope suggests chain link - the type of fence that goes around tennis courts. Mandy does her research but can't find a way to possibly pay for it. Right up until she rides past the Parker Smythe place and finds workmen replacing their tennis court chain link. When she asks if she could have the old fencing, Mr Parker Smythe feels generous enough to give the workmen time off to run it up to Lydia's place. Then she's on the hunt for someone to put it up. Luckily Ernie Bell still has all his old tools and a bit of reverse psychology sees him volunteering for the job. (Which also seems to spark a hint of romance between Ernie and Lydia.)
Mandy's final project for the farm ties in with her school assignment to design an ad campaign. She comes up with the slogan, 'High Cross Goats' Milk. Nature's Best.' and persuades Lydia to sell her milk directly to the local health stores and consumers to increase her finances. She makes a killing at the local show when she opens a stall to sell her milk and cheese.
I liked this one. Mandy's ideas for saving the farm were creative and interesting. I enjoyed reading about Houdini's escape attempts. And I enjoyed Mandy and James inspired problem solving in getting Ernie (and how they get Ernie) to help out. 4 stars for me and target audience. show less
Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her show more parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.
Houdini the Goat is a master escape artist intent on getting next door and eating Sam Western's prized plants. Houdini's owner, Lydia Fawcett runs High Cross Farm - a small rundown farm with a herd of goats. She sells the goat milk to a local cheese factory run by Mr Wintersgill but the farm is in disrepair and the money she earns is barely enough to cover the food. Houdini's constant escapes don't help - Sam Western is extremely angry that Houdini keeps getting in to his yard.
Thankfully it works but Mandy comes to realise it's not as simple as just healing Houdini. The farm is in dire straits and Lydia can barely afford to feed the animals at all. Mandy as per usual, steps in. Her first step is to find extra food for the goats. She actually comes up with a pretty good idea, applying to the local grocery store to donate extra produce in return for the good publicity of helping out. When they say they couldn't afford to deliver it as well, Mandy and James volunteer to pick it up and ride it over on their bikes.
The next issue that needs to be rectified is the fences. Mr Hope suggests chain link - the type of fence that goes around tennis courts. Mandy does her research but can't find a way to possibly pay for it. Right up until she rides past the Parker Smythe place and finds workmen replacing their tennis court chain link. When she asks if she could have the old fencing, Mr Parker Smythe feels generous enough to give the workmen time off to run it up to Lydia's place. Then she's on the hunt for someone to put it up. Luckily Ernie Bell still has all his old tools and a bit of reverse psychology sees him volunteering for the job. (Which also seems to spark a hint of romance between Ernie and Lydia.)
Mandy's final project for the farm ties in with her school assignment to design an ad campaign. She comes up with the slogan, 'High Cross Goats' Milk. Nature's Best.' and persuades Lydia to sell her milk directly to the local health stores and consumers to increase her finances. She makes a killing at the local show when she opens a stall to sell her milk and cheese.
I liked this one. Mandy's ideas for saving the farm were creative and interesting. I enjoyed reading about Houdini's escape attempts. And I enjoyed Mandy and James inspired problem solving in getting Ernie (and how they get Ernie) to help out. 4 stars for me and target audience. show less
I have fond memories of reading Animal Ark as a kid. Along with all the other series I'm revisiting at the moment, I've decided to set out to read all of Animal Ark. I know I read a hell of a lot of them but I know I didn't quite get through the whole lot.
Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her show more parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.
In Hedgehogs in the Hall a hedgehog family move into James' backyard but are accidentally disturbed while Mr Hunter is gardening. The mum and babies become separated and the mum gets hit by a car - thankfully it's the new doctor, Dr McKay. Dr McKay and Mandy work together to stabilize the hedgehog before Mandy takes the mum (she names her Rosa) to Animal Ark. I liked Dr McKay - him and Mandy worked well together - one providing the animal care and the other providing the medical.Dr McKay's daughter, Claire tries to help the babies but accidentally endangers them by touching them (a hedgehog mother may reject her babies if she smells human scent on them), thankfully the mother accepts them back. There's an amusing scene where they lose the hedgehog babies and they leave a food dish out to try to attract them back - which attracts every animal but the hedgehogs.
I like the message the Animal Ark books send about wild animals being free to be wild. Mandy, James and Claire are aware they have to release the hedgehogs into their natural habitat, but they worry that with the road so close to their run, they could be hurt. So rather than preventing the animals from being free, they work to come up with solutions to keep their natural habitat free of dangers.They make a sign to advertise that the road is a hedgehog crossing and warn drivers to slow down. They come up with a plan to create a hedgehog sanctuary in Claire's backyard - building hedgehog nests to help transition a hedgehog in care back to the wild. And they get some help from Simon (the Animal Ark vet nurse) and his friend that runs a wildlife radio program to tag and track the success of the project.
I liked the sign idea and I love that Mandy is once again manipulating Ernie Bell into helping her. This one wasn't as interesting as the previous books but it was an enjoyable read. 2 stars for me and 3 for target audience. show less
Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her show more parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.
In Hedgehogs in the Hall a hedgehog family move into James' backyard but are accidentally disturbed while Mr Hunter is gardening. The mum and babies become separated and the mum gets hit by a car - thankfully it's the new doctor, Dr McKay. Dr McKay and Mandy work together to stabilize the hedgehog before Mandy takes the mum (she names her Rosa) to Animal Ark. I liked Dr McKay - him and Mandy worked well together - one providing the animal care and the other providing the medical.
I like the message the Animal Ark books send about wild animals being free to be wild. Mandy, James and Claire are aware they have to release the hedgehogs into their natural habitat, but they worry that with the road so close to their run, they could be hurt. So rather than preventing the animals from being free, they work to come up with solutions to keep their natural habitat free of dangers.
I liked the sign idea and I love that Mandy is once again manipulating Ernie Bell into helping her. This one wasn't as interesting as the previous books but it was an enjoyable read. 2 stars for me and 3 for target audience. show less
I have fond memories of reading Animal Ark as a kid. Along with all the other series I'm revisiting at the moment, I've decided to set out to read all of Animal Ark. I know I read a hell of a lot of them but I know I didn't quite get through the whole lot.
Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her show more parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.
This one had a lot of plot. First off there's a movie being filmed that has animal stars - a black Labrador named Charley, a parrot named Mr Baggins, three cats and horses. The animal trainer fails to show up and George Sims, the driver, is left in charge of the animals. The the main animal star, Charley goes missing when she's left outside in the thunder. (Hence why you don't let a driver that doesn't really like animals and has no clue what to do with them look after them). James and Mandy search the town, notify the residents and call the radio to try to find her. Mandy checks the animal shelter for a poodle to replace Mrs Platt's poodle that had to be put down. James' dog Blackie gets a chance at stardom but fails when he chases the cats. (Well he is a devil dog.) Jess (Mandy's Aunt Mary's dog who's staying with them) is pregnant. Charley is found by Blackie and Jess when they take them for a walk. Unfortunately her leg is trapped in a snare, so Mandy runs for her parents and her dad undertakes a perilous journey through a forest and across a stream carrying a Labrador (which sounded very hard) to get her back to the clinic and wrap her leg. Charley gets well and then Jess has puppies. As I said, a lot of plot.
I enjoyed this one. It was action packed and interesting. I love the friendship between James and Mandy - they're so good to each other. And the relationship between Mandy and her parents is really good too - they've very loving and supportive of their daughter - even though she's animal mad. 4.5 stars for the target audience. 3 stars from me. It was good but still a bit simplistic. show less
Animal Ark follows Mandy and James two crazy obsessed animal lovers for work together to save all the animals in the world. Mandy is the adopted daughter of two vets and many books in the series revolve around her hometown of York and her show more parent's veterinary clinic - Animal Ark. James is her best friend and fellow helper/trouble maker. The series promotes responsible animal ownership, willingness to work hard for worthwhile goals and encouragement to lend a hand to family, friends and others in the wider community. Animal Ark is pure gold for young readers. Unfortunately they're a bit simple and a lot repetitive for adult readers but let's face it, those of us rereading are likely here for nostalgia than plot. Younger readers will find the series engaging, humorous, a little silly and lots of fun.
This one had a lot of plot. First off there's a movie being filmed that has animal stars - a black Labrador named Charley, a parrot named Mr Baggins, three cats and horses.
I enjoyed this one. It was action packed and interesting. I love the friendship between James and Mandy - they're so good to each other. And the relationship between Mandy and her parents is really good too - they've very loving and supportive of their daughter - even though she's animal mad. 4.5 stars for the target audience. 3 stars from me. It was good but still a bit simplistic. show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 189
- Members
- 40,921
- Popularity
- #428
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 168
- ISBNs
- 835
- Languages
- 12
- Favorited
- 7