Reviews & Articles
Reviews - Totally Horse Mad
The front cover almost says it all – an eleven year old girl and her brown horse, their heads so close together, so obviously loving  each other. Ashleigh is in a dream on page one, dreaming about winning the Olympic horse event in her horse Princess. Her riding instructor tells her to wake up from la-la land and get back to reality - i.e. waiting for the start of the Under-twelve team barrel race. From there on the whole book is filled with Ashleigh's passion to own her own horse, not a dream horse like Princess, and to ride in shows – and win. I imagine and endless number of eleven-year-old girls have the same dreams – so they will love this story of fairly large, easy-to-read typography that will keep them entranced to the last page. It certainly took me back, vividly, to my own horse-obsessed growing-up years. Ashleigh and Honey, the horse she finally gets as her very own, go through endless episodes of excitement and disaster, winning and losing, among friends and enemies, as they work together towards Ashleigh's winning ambitions. A wonderful title – that is exactly what it is! Totally Horse Mad.
Reading Time Vol 48 No 1
When Ashleigh Miller moves with her parents to the country she's promised a horse. Ash is crazy for horses and has been saving to buy one for ages. So when her parents tell her she can't have one because it's too expensive to look after, she's really upset. Not only has she moved to a dump, she'd lost her best friend and her dream. But then Ash discovers a starving horse and her adventures begin. A cool story for horse lovers!
D-Mag, Issue 24, March 2004
There is only one thing Ashleigh Miller wants in her life: a horse of her own. And, one day, she will have one. First she needs a whole lot of money and a place to keep one. So, when Ashleigh's parents tell her she can get a horse, she thinks all her dreams have come true - until she realises that she has to move to the country.
Saying goodbye to her best friend, Jenna, is hard. Finding a horse is too. And making new friends could be the hardest part of all. Ashleigh has to overcome the constant lack of funds, the anger of some of her fellow students at the riding school, and the trouble she seems to attract like a magnet, before she can really enjoy having a horse of her own.
Totally Horse Mad is a great new title from Kathy Helidoniotis. Kids who like horses and horse stories will love this one.
www.aussiereviews.com
You won't be able to put it down.
The Land, 15.06.2006
Ashleigh is the biggest horse mad girl in the city. She goes to a riding school where she rides around on her best friend Princess. One day Ash's parents announce that they're moving to Shady Creek, a small country town where Ashleigh can have her very own horse and ride every day. But will she have to say goodbye to Princess forever?
Girl Power Magazine BOOK OF THE MONTH! September 2006
Reviews - Horse Mad Summer
Horse Mad Summer
Horse Mad #2
Kathy Helidoniotis
I have to admit to being like Jenna in this novel, and not overly fussed on horses. However from talking to girls in the 8-12 age group, I realise I am in the minority.
This book will certainly appeal to those with a passion for horses. But even those who do not share this obsession will relate to the problems that arise in friendships.
Ashleigh is desperate for her city friend Jenna, to meet her new best friend Becky. But as often happens with a threesome, Becky and Jenna view each other as rivals. This aspect of the story took me back to my own childhood and a similar event at about the same age.
Tension builds between the girls. Ashleigh finds loyalty to one friend could well cost her friendship with the other. Any girl who's ever tried to get friends from different worlds together will relate to Ashleigh's experience of feeling 'like the ham in the sandwich'.
The behaviour of Carly and the Creepketeers who make Ashleigh's and Becky's time at Shady Creek Riding club difficult, is also well portrayed.
Perhaps the ending was a little too neat but I doubt most readers will have a problem with that.
Girls from 8-11 will enjoy this story. They won't have to have read the first in the series to be able to read this one.
Sure to find a receptive audience.
HarperCollins ARP $14.99
Reviewed by Dale Harcombe
Age guide 8+
Horse Mad Academy
Ashleigh has just arrived at the Waratah Grove Riding Academy with her horse Honey and she’s just about to find out how hard attending the academy can be. With long hours and a tough riding schedule, do Ashleigh and Honey have what it takes to make the cut?
Little Angels Magazine, January 2007
Reader feedback
"I've now read all three books and I can't wait until the fourth one comes out. I loved every last whinny and neigh of these books and recommend them to people who like stories about horse adventures, friendship and fun". Nina, aged 11.
"The Horse Mad series never makes one mistake about horses so the author obviously knows how to ride and care for a horse". Evangeline, aged 10.
I'm Emma. I'm a 8 year old girl. I live in Melbourne Australia. I have recently read the 'Totally Horse Mad' books by a lady called Kathy Helidoniotis her books are really good and I finished the first book in a three (3) hour drive from Werribee to Halls Gap. I really like her books and think you might too.
I am a huge fan of your horse mad books. I have both Horse Mad and Horse Mad Summer and they are both great to read. Elise, aged 11.
Would you like to add to Reader Feedback? It's easy! Just email your comments to kathy@kathyhelidoniotis.com. I hope to hear from you soon!
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