Cover Image: The True Story of Zippy Chippy

The True Story of Zippy Chippy

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Member Reviews

This was an interesting non fiction story. However I didn’t think there was enough to hold interest for a younger reader.

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This book was a great read--both for kids and adults. This book had great figurative language like "his running was more like a gentle breeze." This book is a fast read for adults, but the story is great. I read this to my own kids, as well as a language group within my work with kids at schools. We talked about vocabulary such as prankster and rambunctious, as well as the rich pictures the author painted with words. I loved picturing Zippy eating the various sweets, given his sweet tooth. I loved the subtle, but important points brought up throughout of Zippy's losses, but persistence in racing. The quote "Zippy loved being a race horse, it was in his blood. He just wasn't terribly good at it" is so important--for kids and adults alike to hear. You don't have to be the best at something to like doing it. When Zippy holds his head high, despite the losses is such an important concept as well. There's no reason for people not to be proud of their persistence in trying various activities. By the end of the book everyone was rooting for Zippy. The authors note was just as interesting as the rest of the book, with more detail of the horse Zippy. I'd never heard of Zippy prior to this book, but loved cheering him on, the authors colorful pictures. I'll be seeking out more information about Zippy!

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A lovely true story of failed racehorse Zippy Chippy, who after no lack of trying, failed to win a race. It conveys a lovely message to children that even if you're not the best at something, you're a winner just by taking part. Added to the wonderful illustrations, this book will delight young readers.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Zippy Chippy, what a cute name. Zippy is a Pedigree horse, but he doesn't like to race. He likes to play pranks. His trainer was shaking his head on what to do with Zippy. Never give up, always go for your dreams

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Based on the tale of a real racehorse, The True Story of Zippy Chippy was absolutely charming. Though he never won a race, Zippy Chippy loved racing. He lost race after race after race, but never lost heart on the track. He developed many fans and was known for his winning personality. This is an encouraging book and the illustrations are fun to look at. Children will enjoy reading about Zippy’s personality and his never-ending love of racing—even though he was never the best on the field.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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The True Story of Zippy Chippy is a beautifully illustrated and written story of a horse that knew what he loved but wasn't actually great at it - with a wonderful underlying understanding to just be yourself!
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Read with my eight year old whose review was: "He's a mischievous horse that doesn't fit in by winning but does what he loves to do because others didn't give up on him." We laughed at the antics of this horse. A horse who ran or sometimes didn't and still enjoyed racing.
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Zippy Chippy never won a race and yet continued to race and lose in some quite comical ways.  His trainer and the world fell in love with him in spite of his ability to perform and as a story it provides a great lesson for young ones that winning isn't everything.
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It is a great story to share with children and a wonderful opportunity to delve into the history of this horse, horseracing,  and more.
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Thank you @netgalley and @northsouthbooks for the ARC for my honest review.  Publication date:  02/25/2020

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Lovely children’s book to read. My two children were enthralled by it. So it definitely appealed to the targeted age group. It was a nice easy to read book that flowed well and was very well written

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I found this amusing and pleasingly illustrated book to be delightful. Zippy Chippy, whose owner had this as the third choice for his name, was a real racing horse who....just could not race. Zippy was a bit like Ferdinand the Bull; there were so many things that he wanted to enjoy that he often forgot to take off at the start of a race or just could not finish. Zippy NEVER came in first although he had a few places and shows. This left him with a unique record. Nonetheless o,r because of this, Zippy was very loved. At his horse retirement home, he was the main attraction.

The author tells the story of Zippy with a positive message for children about trying and how being yourself is enough. There are additional resources at the back of the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

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What a delightful story and so much more heartfelt when you read it is true. I was a preschool teacher and this is a book I would certainly have on my shelf. A beautiful way to teach children to keep trying and no matter what, even if you fail constantly, you will still be loved. I will be buying this for my shelf at home for my grandchildren.

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I love this book. It’s probably the only book that made me smile and feel all lovey inside for the whole time reading it.
Ok, so it’s not a very long book, but those were 4 really special minutes. I love that it’s a true story, a real life-is-stranger-than-fiction story. I could see myself reading this over and over to kids (if I had any), or setting it on the coffee table and smile every time I look at it.
Zippy Chippy embodies being true to yourself, walking your own path, and having the confidence to ignore all opinions about you by others. I ask myself: “It worked out well for Zippy, so why wouldn’t it for me? Just gotta ride it out and get the last laugh in the end.”
And there’s that smile and lovey, happy feeling inside me again.

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher, for giving me this free advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. You gave me a digital text file, and I received a wonderful and valuable soul gift.

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