About Kathy Helidoniotis

I was one of those kids who was completely nuts about horses and started riding when I was six. My room was crammed with books on horses, toy horses, model horses, posters of horses, and even a headless horse clock (just like Ashleigh in 'Totally Horse Mad!')  By the time I was ten I had a horse all of my own. His name was Clarrie and he had lots of personality. It wasn't unusual to find him in the kitchen, having a sticky beak at what we were all up to. I still love horses, love to ride and have a beautiful Appaloosa mare called Georgia.

I was also completely nuts about reading. Apart from riding it was my favourite thing to do. On cold, rainy winter days, when Clarrie was hiding under the neighbour's carport, there was never a shortage of great books to read at our place.

I always wanted to be an author. I needed to write and the stories that swirled around my head were stories of horses and the kids who loved them. My first novel, 'Totally Horse Mad', was published in May 2006 and will be followed by 'Horse Mad Summer'. At this stage there will be five 'Horse Mad' books. I'm already planning another series. All draw from my wonderful, horsy childhood.

So far I've also written educational material for the high school market, articles for primary school children and eight books for very young children.

This was my horse, Clarrie. He was naughty and had bad manners (he liked to use me as a tissue) but I loved him anyway!	This is Georgia. She's an 11 year old solid Appaloosa. "Solid" means she has no spots. Well, she has three spots on her one white sock. We're just getting to know each other. But so far, I think she's amazing!