Bernadette Kelly – Aussie Reviews

The Pony Patch Collection, by Bernadette Kelly

The most important thing is not to leave before your pony has learnt the day’s lesson. Today’s lesson was that I was in charge.

Norton is a pony with attitude. He likes eating and playing games, but he doesn’t like listening to his owner, Molly. Nonetheless, Molly loves Norton, and she thinks he’s the most perfect pony in the world.

Previously published as four separate junior fiction titles, The Pony Patch Collection is a four-in-one bindup with the same great humorous storylines, comic black and white illustrations and easy to read text. The pink cover with foil embellishments make for a pretty package, sure to delight young readers.

The Pony Patch Collection, by Bernadette Kelly
black dog, 2009

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Norton Saves the Day & Norton's Blue Ribbon, by Bernadette Kelly

‘Norton must be opening the paddock gate all by himself,’ I said. ‘How clever.’
‘How naughty,’ said Mum. ‘He got into that new bag of oats. It’s just lucky I found him before he ate himself sick.’

Norton the naughty pony is back, in two more chapter book adventures, still just as naughty and as funny as in the first two books in the Pony Patch series. In Norton Saves the Day, Norton’s owner, Molly, takes him to riding school, to give him some lessons. Of course, really they shouldn’t be in the beginner classes, but they show the other riders – and their horses – how things should be done. Molly is surprised to realise that the instructor thinks that Norton is naughty. Norton needs to show that he can listen.

In Norton’s Blue Ribbon Molly takes Norton to the local show. When Norton eats the flower on the judge’s hat, he misses out on a ribbon, but Molly is sure he deserves to win something.

This delightful series is easy to read, with short, humorous stories which will appeal to young horse-lovers. The main humour comes from the clash between the story being told in Molly’s first-person narrative, and the events being shown in the illustrations, which show us what is really happening. Like any loving owner, Molly’s take on Norton’s behaviour is very different from the reader’s observation.

Sure to be a hit with readers aged 6 and up, especially horse-mad girls.

Norton Saves the Dat and Norton’s Blue Ribbon, by Bernadette Kelly, illustrated by Liz Alger
black dog books, 2008

Naughty Norton & Losing Norton, by

The most important thing is not to leave before your pony has learnt the day’s lesson. Today’s lesson was that I was in charge.

Pony Patch is a new series from black dog books, and features the adventures of Norton and Molly. In Naughty Norton, Molly tries to catch Norton for her afternoon ride. Unfortunately, Norton has other ideas. In Losing Norton, Molly thinks Norton has been pony-napped.

Both stories are told in the first person voice of Molly, with illustrations which often tell us the true story, which is a little different from Molly’s version. For example, when Molly tells us how much Norton loves being with her, the illustrations show him running away.

This is a cute series, which horse-mad youngsters will love. A back of book glossary and hints for pony care are a useful addition.

Naughty Norton and Losing Norton, both by Bernadette Kelly, illustrated by Liz Alger
black dog books, 2007

Team Challenge, by Bernadette Kelly

Annie is learning fast, but is she a good enough rider to join Ridgeview’s Team Challenge?

In this fourth title from the Riding High series, there is a new challenge for Annie. A team is being selected to compete against other Pony Clubs in games. Annie is not sure she’s ready – especially at sack races – but a challenge from Jessica impels her to try out. Competition seems to show different sides of everyone, including her friend Reesa. Annie is selected as emergency and has to train as hard as the others, even when she has little chance of competing.

This series combines the challenges of making new friends with learning a new sport. Annie is a gutsy main character who shows the mixture of bravery and reticence that is a feature of the age group. Horse-riding girls will enjoy the detailed descriptions of the Pony Club events as well as the ups and downs of owning a horse. This fourth adventure sees Annie advancing in skills and confidence. A fifth adventure is scheduled for early 2007 release.

Recommended for mid- upper-primary readers.

Team Challenge by Bernadette Kelly
black dog books 2006
isbn: 1921167260

Making the Grade, by Bernadette Kelly

Now she has a horse, all Annie has to do is learn how to ride.

Moving from the city was hard. Leaving all her friends behind, the only good thing about Ridgeview was that their new house had enough room for Annie to have a pony. Annie loves Bobby, but she is beginning to realise that riding isn’t as easy as it looks. Everyone else seems to understand the language of riding. Everyone else seems to know how to ride. As Annie spends more time at the stables she realises that not everyone is as confident as they seem. Perhaps they are still learning too. When the call goes out for grading, Annie rashly puts her name on the list.

This second instalment in the Riding High series explores the challenges in learning to ride. Annie is game for anything, but the more she learns, the more she realises she doesn’t know. Through a mix of practice and some bravado Annie improves her riding skills and finds herself a job to offset the costs of riding. Bernadette Kelly has interspersed the story with plenty of technical details which illustrate what it takes to care for a horse. Recommended for middle to upper-primary aged readers, especially horse-lovers.

Making the Grade, by Bernadette Kelly
black dog books 2006
ISBN: 1921167033

If Wishes Were Horses, by Bernadette Kelly

Annie loved horses. Any size, any breed. A story for every girl who ever wanted her own horse.

Annie and her parents move from the city to the country town of Ridgeview. For Annie, the only good thing about the move is the possibility of getting a horse. But then Dad tells her he’s ordered some sheep and there’s no way there’s room for a horse as well. Disappointed, Annie spends some time getting to know the area around her new home. Things go from bad to worse when she lets her dog, Jonesy, off his leash and he frightens a neighbour Reesa and her horse. After a rocky start, Annie and Reesa stumble along the path to friendship. Annie also makes friends with a horse in a paddock not far from home and begins to dream again.

If Wishes Were Horses is the first of a new series pitched firmly at mid- to upper-primary aged girls who love horses. Annie is a likeable main character, outgoing and independent. Bernadette Kelly introduces the reader to the world of horses and pony clubs, painting colourful pictures of the personalities to be found there. She also makes clear the challenges and responsibilities that are part of owning and riding a horse.

This is the first of at least four books in the Riding High series. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers.

If Wishes Were Horses, by Bernadette Kelly
black dog books 2006
ISBN: 1921167033