Jessie Haas
Award-winning Children's Author

HorseCrazy

Riding Robin

July 25, 2010

Tags: Morgan Horse, clicker training, children's books, biochar, Westminster Vt.

This blog is a true picture of my life right now--I don't have time to write a blog! Why not? Well, I'm training Robin, a 4-year-old Morgan--and since I haven't ridden in over 2 years, the first rides took courage and creativity. I'm finishing the history of my town, an enormous project; finishing CHICO'S CHALLENGE, (more…)

Lick, Don't Bite

May 30, 2010

Tags: children's books, horse training, clicker training, morgan horses, jessie haas

Robin and I still have our persistent problem of her biting me, or threatening to. I can't decide if it's compulsive--oral Morgan who must be always doing something with her mouth--or if it's something I'm actually training her to do due to my response (but I feel like I have to respond to protect (more…)

Clicker Expo

March 31, 2010

Tags: children's books, horse training, clicker training, morgan horses

Just back from Clicker Expo in Lexington, KY--a wonderful experience. Imagine being in a resort hotel with 400 animal-lovers and 130 well-behaved dogs of all breeds. Imagine classes all day on the latest scientific breakthroughs and refinements in modern animal training. I learned a lot about keeping cues and training loops clean--which coincidentally is what I (more…)

Wear Your Book

October 1, 2009

Tags: Jessie haas, horse crazy, craft projects, children's books

You write books to learn things. (Though sometimes you fool yourself into thinking you write them to teach.) One of the best things I learned writing Horse Crazy! is how much fun it is to play with decoupage. I use Mod-Podge; you can use other products, or mix white glue and water half and (more…)

BOOKS

Nonfiction
HORSE CRAZY!
Crafts, sports, knowledge and fun for horse lovers
Transitional Chapter Book
JIGSAW PONY
Jigsaw is the perfect pony for twins Kiera and Fran--but can they stop arguing about him?
BIRTHDAY PONY
Popcorn and Jane were born the same day. Popcorn was a pony foal who belonged to Grandma Aggie. Jane was Grandma Aggie's grandchild." They're meant for each other, but this star-crossed pair has many obstacles to overcome. Illustrations by Margot Apple.
RUNAWAY RADISH
First Radish trains Judy. When she outgrows him, this good-bad pony trains Nina. But then Nina outgrows him too. Can Radish find a home where he'll always be the right size?
Picture book
SCAMPER AND THE HORSE SHOW
A horse show, two girls, the perfect costume for costume class--but can Molly and Anna keep their white horse Scamper clean long enough? Illustrations by Margot Apple
Poetry
HOOFPRINTS; HORSE POEMS
Six million years of the history of horses, in a hundred-plus poems; a VOYA Poetry Pick.
Novels
SHAPER
A novel of love and dog-training; a Golden Kite Honor Book
UNBROKEN
Harry and her young horse are orphaned in the same accident, and sent to live on a hill farm with stern Aunt Sarah. Can Harry train the wild colt and return to school? And can she and Aunt Sarah ever love each other?
Picture Book
APPALOOSA ZEBRA; A HORSE LOVER'S ALPHABET
"When I'm older, I'll have a horse farm. All kinds of horses will live with me. Spotted Appaloosas. Arabian steeds" Illustrations by Margot Apple
SUGARING
Gramp and Nora make maple syrup, and Gram makes a surprise Nora can share with the horses. A story about the sweet science of maple sugar. Illustrations by Jos. A. Smith