An inspiring story about the people – and animals – who make us brave, perfect for young readers who are struggling with nerves or anxiety.

In The Real Cowgirl, Sal feels safe and strong at home, and out riding with her pony. She has big dreams of being a cowgirl; of being brave, smart and wild. But at school, where she feels anxious and isolated, those dreams seem very far away. How will Sal find her self-confidence and be her true self even when she is scared?

Join Sal and her pony for this heart-warming story about friendship, and the way in which it can make you feel brave. Featuring beautiful, vibrant illustrations of Sal’s life on the farm, it will delight young readers with an interest in animals and adventure. It will also provide inspiration and comfort for children who experience anxiety, showing them the power of small acts of bravery, and how our friends can build us up to feel all the wonderful things they already see in us.

The Real Cowgirl was inspired by the author’s own childhood, growing up on a farm in NSW, Australia with her pony as a source of support and comfort. It is a story about being yourself, finding bravery through friendship, and what it takes to be a real cowgirl.

Isabelle Duff is a farmer, author, and student at the University of New South Wales, where she is studying Advanced Science and Commerce. She has worked on her family farm near Manildra, NSW, where they farm sheep and cattle, and crop. Isabelle is a self-proclaimed ‘tree hugger’, passionate about science and environmental agribusiness. She hopes to one day manage the family business. She has volunteered at her local primary school and is keen to facilitate discussions with children about mental illness, to help reduce stigma and ignorance.

Isabelle signed her first publishing contract, for Cookie, with EK Books when she was 18. That book was inspired by her border collie Saffy, and by the Australian bush. The Real Cowgirl is based on her first pony, Bindi, and her friends that make her feel brave.

Susannah Crispe is a Canberra-based children’s book illustrator with a background in zoology and art history. She has a degree in Art History from the University of Sydney (2008) and studied Zoology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of New England.

Susannah is a largely self-taught artist and works primarily in watercolour and digital collage. Susannah is also a stay-at-home-mum, where reading books with the kids forms a huge part of her everyday routine. Susannah illustrated Isabelle’s first book, Cookie, as well as Where the Heart Is (also with EK Books).

BuzzWords
“This is a heartwarming book which offers value for junior primary students struggling to come out of their shell and make friends at school.”

Story Links
“Australian author, Isabelle Duffy, has written this heart-warming story based on her experiences as a young girl living on a farm in NSW. It is about the special relationship between a girl and her pony, the importance and power of friendships, and overcoming self-doubt and anxiety.”

Grown Ups
“An inspiring story about the people – and animals – who make us brave, perfect for young readers who are struggling with nerves or anxiety.”

Kids’ Books NZ
“There is joy, energy, and freedom in the horse rides and the natural landscapes, and reassurance in the kind and knowing expressions of Sal’s pony.
Dealing with the themes of courage, anxiety, and friendship, The Real Cowgirl is a relatable and inspiring picture book for young children.”

What Book Next?
“This beautifully illustrated hard back picture book is a tale about horses, dreams and also anxiety.”

DustyShelves Book Reviews
“there will be a lot of young horse lovers who will fall in love with the illustrations and the story, and feel brave too, after reading this book.”

Farm Trader
“Perfect for young readers struggling with nerves or anxiety”

The Bottom Shelf – Teacher Librarian
“Told from the perspective of her pony, this is a story to inspire those whose home life is different to their school life to open up to their peers.”

Picture Book Book Club (via Instagram)
“I love that it is written through the eyes of Sal’s pony! So clever. The story is also a wonderful and gentle starting point for a discussion about anxieties – situations or experiences that are making them feel scared and small.”

Peninsula Kids
“In this vibrantly illustrated, heart-warming story, find out how a small act of bravery and the power of friendship help Sal to be herself even when she is scared.”

Novel Insight
“In The Real Cowgirl, Isabelle Duff hopes to empower children to talk about their feelings and instil everyone with empathy toward anxiety and uncertainty.”

Kids’ Book Review
“Inspiring and encouraging, this is a beautiful example of overcoming uncertainty and anxiety, and the importance of friendship – between humans, and humans and animals.”

Just Write for Kids
“The tenderness, kindness and strength that culminate through the story and pictures perfectly balance like an exquisite equestrian performance, that makes a lasting impression on your heart.”

Books+Publishing
“An uplifting message about confidence and friendship, and offers a simple and non-threatening starting point for discussions with little readers (aged 4+) who might have anxieties about school or other experiences beyond their comfort zones.”

Love Four Learning via instagram
“Told through the perspective of Sal’s pony, this is a book that tackles an issue that is currently common in a post Covid landscape: social and school anxiety. With a hopeful ending, this picture book is a reminder that sometimes the things we want are closer than we think if we take a leap and be exactly who we already are.”

Australian Women’s Weekly
“Sal feels brave and tough when she is with her pony, but scared and anxious at school. In this heart-warming book, Sal learns to channel her nerves and be her true self, her trusted pony by her side.”

Children’s Book Council of Australia – Reading Time
“I love how the story challenges stigma about school anxiety with a protagonist who is brave in a context that many city kids would find frightening. It also hints, without being didactic, that having the courage to reveal our true selves is a path to finding acceptance and friendship..”

Get Kids Booked (via Instagram)
“It’s a common thing for children to feel anxious at school. Often they behave totally different to how they behave at home, with those they love.
This is a heartwarming story about finding courage and friendship. It’s a comforting account of how showing a little bravery can lead to happiness.”