What Readers Have to Say About Unhappy Appy...

Send us Your Thoughts about this book!  You may see them on this page.

"I love this book, because it relates so much to my life.  So much is going on and she's having a hard time.  But, in the end, God comes though for her."

"Hey!  I love your books.  I have ridden a horse like that Appy before, so I know exactly what you're going through." ~ Horse h-appy chrysy

"I love this book!  Thank you so much for writing it!  I cried when Hawk's parents were going to get a divorce.  This book rocks!"

"This book shows Dandi's amazing talents!  I love this book!  It's an ALL-TIME favorite of mine!  Keep up the superb work!"

"I won't lie!  This book really had an impact on me, because I've always had a very hard time making friends and now I only have one.  But she is a gift from above, I tell you!  I can't imagine my world without her!  And, I really like how Winnie learns that God knows what's best for us!" ~ HorseCrazy"

"I am on page 82 right now.  I think it is sad."

"Brianna: It's really awesome having sheep!  I love them to death!  My lamb (eweling) Eowyn, is the fattest, most stuck-up of our small herd, but is she a cutie!  She was rejected by her first-time mother, so I took care of her and bottle fed her.  I love her!  I even took her to the store with me!  My two other ewes, Wild Thing and Wild Won, well, they're a different story!  They're absolutely crazy!  Can't even get 10 feet away from them!  But, I love 'em!  To sum up your answer about them being hard to raise in one word; No!  They're one of the easiest farm animals to have!  Just be careful of their precious hoofs and they'll be fine!  Hey, I gotta go now - I'm working on another story!  Hope you like it!" ~ Eowyn HorseCrazy

"I LUV this book!  I feel so sorry for poor Towaco!  I was a little mad that he bit Nickers, until I remembered that she treated him the same way when he first came.  I felt sorry for Hawk, when I found out that her parents were getting a divorce.  I certainly wouldn't like it if MY parents fought over ME!"
~Horse Crazy Brianna

"I loved this book.  (It was awesome!  I actually loved all of your books, but this one best.  You are a great writer.  Keep on writing." 
~ Paul the horse lover

"[Unhappy Appy] is the first book that I've read in the series and I love it!  I'm going to try to read them all.  This is already one of my favorite series." 
~ McKenna

"I like 'UnHappy Appy' because it teaches about being friends and it teaches us to be thankful for what we have.  Love your books." ~ Victoria

"Poor Towaco!  'Unhappy Appy' was the perfect title for this book.  At first I was mad at Hawk, but when I found out about her parents, I felt sorry for her.  Still, if I were in her place, everything that was going on would cause me to spend MORE time with my horse!" 
~ Appy-And-All-Horse-Crazy Brianna

"I thought that 'Unhappy Appy' was a really good book with a great message.  I do not have a lot of friends either, but I do pay attention to the details of life.  'Unhappy Appy' has shown a me a new side of God that I never knew about before.  Now I know that He cares about the details, too."
~ Catlover

"After I got done reading 'UnHappy Appy' what I realized was that you shouldn't just be worried about being popular and listening to the 'leader' (Summer Spidell).  Your pet can get down in the dumps, because animals have feelings, too.  I loved the book!!!" ~ Sheila

"Eowyn and Cierra... Hey, I'm also home schooled!  Eowyn... Wish I had some ideas of how you could like your dog.  What's it like to have sheep?  It sounds really fun.  And that's great that your dad's going to get you a horse as soon as you start liking the dog!  If my dad had said that, I would've had a horse a while ago.  Of course, I guess it's harder for you, 'cause you have a dog AND sheep...   My dog's part hound and part lab.  He's not the smartest animal in the world and he's kind of wimpy and clumsy.  My dad calls him 'Buddy the Blunder Dog'.  But, I still love him to death!  Well, anyway, good luck and I look forward to reading your story.  Cierra...  I love your story!"
~ Horse Crazy Brianna (author of 'Morning Star') 

"Cierra... I, too, am home schooled and all of the girls wear only dresses.  You have a rat?  When I was little, we had a LOT of rats.  I couldn't even count them!  Also, I have a sheep named Eowyn and a German Shepherd named Derschutz.  I can't stand the dog!  He got into our sheep and caused all kinds of problems.  Do you know what I can do?  My dad said I can't buy a horse until I start liking the dog!  I sent in another story and I'm really wanting to read the 4th part of your story!... I am working on mine!" 
~ Eowyn HorseCrazy

[Editor's Note:]  We've received lots of wonderful new chapters and stories from readers this month.  Check out the Horse Talk section of the site for new additions!

"This was the best book that I've read so far.  It made my eyes get teary.  I was amazed at the bond between Mason, a boy who couldn't talk and Towaco, a 'problem' horse.  I found it very touching."

"I LUV Appy's!  So, naturally, I love this book!  I feel so sorry for poor Towaco!  At the beginning of the book, I didn't know if I should feel sorrier for him or Nickers.  I got kind of worried about and annoyed with Hawk, until I found out everything that was going on with her.  But I still don't think she had an excuse to be neglecting her horse!  If I were in her place, I would have been spending MORE time with my horse!  I love this book!  Thanx!" 
~ Horse Crazy Brianna

"I really enjoyed reading this book, because I think that Appaloosas are beautiful.  They are one of my favorite breeds of horses.  I liked how you made the little boy notice the spot that was shaped like a saddle on the 'Appy'."

"[Unhappy Appy] was my absolute favorite!  I love how Winnie gets the courage to talk with Hawk!  Thank you so much for this book!" 
~ HoRsE_cRaZy

"Hey!  I get to go to a horse show this Sunday!  My friend is showing the horse she leases.  She is showing Western.  Hey; I've never been to a horse show before.  What is done?  I mean, do they just ride around in circles?  Thanks!" ~HorseCrazy~

[Editor's Note:]  By the time you read this, you'll have already been to the show.  Bet you had a great time!  Anyway, other readers might want to know what they might see at a western style horse show.  Events might include western pleasure (how your horse carries itself), pole bending (weaving in and out of PVC poles), barrels (riding around three barrels in a triangular pattern), straight-away (with three barrels set in a straight line), keyhole (run into a lime-formed figure, shaped like an old keyhole), speed (into the arena, around the barrel and out of the arena), quad stakes (circle four of six PVC poles set up in an "X" shape), buddy barrel pickup (same setup as "speed", but a person stands on the barrel and you have to pick them up) and flag (same setup as "barrels", except that the first two barrels are scooted to the arena fence - a flag must picked off of the first barrel and stuck into a bucket on the other side of the arena on top of the other barrel).

"I have 4 of your FABULOUS books.  They are so good that my mom is even interested in them!  I love horses and ponies.  We have an old pony.  He is 32 and looking good!  And, he is totally gentle.  I have 4 younger sisters and 1 is 2." ~ Horselovin Anne

"I thought that this book was WONDERFUL!  On the cover, I noticed that Towaco looked like my long-lost Appy friend from camp, Gizmo (a.k.a Gizzy) and he is very cute-lookin'.  I also am starting to read 'Gift Horse'.  I love the books." ~ Appyluvr

"Thanx, HorseCrazy.  Your stories are really great!  I love 'em!  Keep up the great work!  Anyway, what great names! I love 'em, too!  I love writing and drawing." ~ Cierra

"Dear Horsecrazy - Don't feel left out.  I come from a modest family that wears dresses and I talk to my pet rat, Cookie!  Plus, I have 8 other kids in my family.  I am home schooled, too." ~ Cierra

"Cierra!  This is HorseCrazy.  I love your story and am looking forward to reading the rest of it!  I really liked these names of yours: Desert Dancer, Moonlight, Daring Hoffbeats.  How do you like these?  Moonlight Shadow, Amazing Splendor, Surf Dancer, Bandit in the Wind, Disco Dancer, Faithful Beauty, Dappled Glory and God Given Glory?" ~ Love, E.HorseCrazy.G.

"This is one of my favorite books of the series.  Winnie learns how to be a good friend and Hawk learns to trust Winnie."

"Winnie... are you there?  I have the same problem with friends.  We don't get out a lot and it seems like I am the only one who does all this stuff; like love sheep, talk to my pets, wear dresses and so on. But, every time I DO make friends, they split up with me real fast.  I have one REAL friend and she's in Arizona at her grandparents' right now, so I feel SO lonely!  But, the only other girl I know is kinda rude and is always getting me in trouble by lying about me.  Do you know what I can do?  Also, sorry to bother you with such a long note, but I want to say this: Your books have inspired me to want to pray more, and also, they have helped me in so many ways!  Great work." ~ HorseCrazy

[A Note from Winnie:]  Well, Horsecrazy, I think that we've all felt sort of left out and lonely at one time or another.  I'm so glad that you have interests of your own!  The best advice that I ever got was to follow my own heart and the right friends would come along eventually.  If you have your best friend's address at her grandparents' house, why not write her a letter?  Or, if not, just make her a really nice friendship card and save it until she gets home.  Sort of a welcome home gift!  And, maybe you can get involved in the Nickers and Neighs message board, where you can make friends with other kids who have the same interests as you do.  And, my advice about your other "friend" who's rude and getting you in trouble, is to be too busy to see her from now on.  Sorry, but that's my honest opinion.  A true friend would never lie about you or get you into trouble!

"I think 'UnHappy Appy' is my favorite book.  I like it because at first Winnie thinks everybody has a friend except her.  But, she finally knows that Hawk is her friend."

"I really like all of the books, but in #5 'Unhappy Appy' I think that Hawk and Winnie should become really best friends!"

"I loved this book!  Hawk was really starting to get on my nerves, until I found out what was going on with her!  I wouldn't like it if MY parents fought over ME.  I can understand how she felt!  But I'm still not sure that was any excuse for neglecting her horse.  Nothing, but nothing, would ever keep me from spending time with my horse!  I love this book!  Thanx!" 
~ Horse crazy Brianna

"I just started this book and I'm already on chapter 3, but so far it's great!  I love horse books and I love this series and 'The Phantom Stallion'!" 
~ Arabian crazy

"Winnie!  Just wanted to say 'Hay!' and 'I love your books!'  Oh, I told my friend SO much about your books, she added 'A Winnie book' to her Christmas list.  She got 'Wild Thing'... and she loves it!  I love your books, too.  Hey, is there a way that I can send you my story without having to write it in Your Thoughts?  Because my story is really long and my mom doesn't want me to stay on that long, because we only have one line.  Can you help me?" ~HorseCrazy~

[Editor's Note:] You could type your story into a word processor, like Microsoft Word or even into Window Notepad (in the Accessories menu on a PC).  Then you could save a copy to work on and print out.  To copy it to our Your Thoughts form, press Ctrl-A to select the whole thing.  Then press Ctrl-C to copy it to the Windows clipboard.  Next, go online and start a Your Thoughts entry.  Click in the box for entering your thoughts and press Ctrl-V to paste in your story.

"Winnie, I just love your books and I hope there will be more very soon." 
~ Horselover

"I have some ideas for horse names if any of you girls out there need any.  Here are some: Golden Nugget, Lonesome, Ace, Silver Whisper, Mottled Flame, Midnight Sun, Musteno (Spanish for Mustang), Aspen, Cherry, Hickory, Mahogany, Walnut (lots of trees!), Fiery, Foggy, or Flickering Phantom, Daring Hoofbeats, Limestone, Granite, Tiger Lily, Ashes, Silk Stockings (or Socks, depending on the horse), Major, Moonlight, Huckleberry Bay, Twinkle, Tinkerbell, New Moon, Dark Sunshine, Red Feather, Desert Dancer and Golden Ghost.  Thanks, and if any of you have any other name suggestions, I would like to see them." 
~ Cierra ~ (Horse Lover, author of Perfect Gift)

"Dear Dandi - This book was so great!  I felt so bad for Towaco.  He was so depressed.  I just got a horse and I would feel so bad for him if that happened.  Your books are  great examples to writers and horse-lovers everywhere.  I'm your #1 fan!" ~ Born-to-be-horse-lover, Megan

"I feel bad for poor horse!  People can be cruel, though some are awesome, but you never know.  Dandi, please write more Winnie books!" ~ Horsienas

"Dear Winnie - I love the book 'UnHappy Appy'.  I got it for Christmas.  And, I hope you will write more books." ~ D.

"Dear Editor and Dandi - I have been changing my story.  I will keep sending additions to it, but about every four or five months, I will send in the WHOLE story.  Also, do any of you have any kids?  I have nine in my family, and another coming!" ~ Cierra

[Editor's Note:]  Hi Cierra!  Please do keep sending additions to your story and I'll post them on the Horse Talk page.  Budget constraints won't allow me to change the whole story until you've got it completely done, though.  Sorry - hope you'll understand!  And, yes Dandi and I both have daughters.  Your story touches my heart, because I adopted my daughter from another country, just like in your story.  Speaking of additions, congrats on the upcoming addition to your family, too - keep writing!

"Cierra here again!  I am stuck at a certain place in my story!  Dandi, I need to know a sickness that foals can get from not getting enough nutrition."

[A Note From Dandi:]  Well, malnutrition, in and of itself, is a very serious condition for a developing foal.  Inadequate amounts or imbalances of calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, selenium and vitamin E are of particular concern.  Improper amounts can lead to skeletal problems and cause developmental problems.

"I like how you figured out what was up with Hawk.  It is very sad that her parents where getting a divorce.  It made me cry like a baby and I'm 12 years old!!  I love all your books, love you and love horses!  B4N!! (By For Now!)" ~EowynGreenleaf~

"I loved this book! I have read all of the books except #6 and am going to start tonight, since I just finished 'UnHappy Appy'.  That book had a big impact on me and my life.  Here is how it goes... I do natural horsemanship and stuff like Winnie.  I love to ride horses and have a thing for Arabians.  I am 12 like Winnie and I have the same kind of problems with friends that she does.  I have a friend and her parents are getting divorced like Hawk's.  Book #5 really taught me some important things and also the character Mason taught me a lot.  I don't know if there is a real Winnie.  I sure would like to meet her! ~ Love, Briana

"The best book yet!  It was so interesting trying to figure out what was wrong with Hawk and Towaco!  Keep writing!"

"Hi - I have read all of your books and I love them so much!  What really did happen to Mason's dad... or will we find out in # 7?  I would love to know! Thank you so much! ~ C.L.

[A Note From Dandi:]  Well, I'm so glad you care. Don't you just love Mason?  In Book 8, BUCKSKIN BANDIT, Madeline herself tells Winnie about Mason's dad. So hang on! -- Dandi

"I love this book so much - it is the best book yet!  This book made me cry when I read it, but it was also a happy book.  Thanks for letting me voice my opinion about this book. ~ Alex

Top