The Real Cowgirl

“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.”
- Australian Women’s Weekly
“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..”
- Children’s Book Council of Australia - Reading Time
 “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.”
-Get Kids Booked (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.”
- Love Four Learning via instagram
“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.“
 -Books+Publishing
“Inspiring and encouraging, this is a beautiful example of overcoming uncertainty and anxiety, and the importance of friendship - between humans, and humans and animals.”
-Kids’ Book Review
“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.”
-Just Write for Kids
“In The Real Cowgirl, Isabelle Duff hopes to empower children to talk about their feelings and instil everyone with empathy toward anxiety and uncertainty.” 
-Novel Insight
“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.” 
-Peninsula Kids
“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.”
- The Bottom Shelf – Teacher Librarian – shared nationally on the OZTL network 
“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.”
- Picture Book Book Club (via Instagram)
“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.”- Story Links 
“This is a heartwarming book which offers value for junior primary students struggling to come out of their shell and make friends at school.” 
- BuzzWords