The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t
Author: Artie Bennett
Illustrator: Dave Szalay
25 February 2020
NorthSouth Books
40 pages
This book has sat on my MAYBE/PROBABLY pile for some time, and this month, Zippy Chippy is the little horse that could.
Book description: “A true story about the famed racehorse who lost every race but won everyone’s heart.
The bell rings and they’re off! Zippy the racehorse—descended from legends—is destined for glory, but when the other horses bolt from the gate … Zippy stands still. When people try to pet him … he bites their hats and escapes from his stall. What’s an owner to do? Keep on trying! After all, Zippy has become part of Felix’s family—and a close friend of his little daughter. And after 100 straight losses, Zippy shows everyone that—win, lose, or draw—it takes guts to compete and that you can lose and lose and still be a winner.”
Need some reviews of The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t?
And as a bonus, here’s an interview with the author, courtesy of Good Reads with Ronna.
Educational Activities inspired by Artie Bennett’s The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t:
- Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover:
- Where and when does this story seem to take place?
- What do you know about horses and horse racing?
- Why do you make of the subtitle “the little horse that couldn’t”?
- What’s do you think is happening on the back cover?
- If you could ask the author any one question before you read the book, what would it be?
- Why do you think the title emphasizes that this is a TRUE story?
- After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story:
- What problem(s) did Zippy Chippy face?
- What were the most important events in the story?
- If this book has a lesson, what do you think it is?
- Which of Zippy Chippy’s actions did you find most amusing? Grabbing people’s hats? Standing still during a race? Dangling Felix by his shirt? Something else?
- If you were Felix, what would you have tried to get Zippy Chippy to behave?
- What other story does The True Story of Zippy Chippy remind you of?
- Though Zippy Chippy lost all 100 races, the book says he won in the end. Do you agree? Why/why not?
- Writing–Now that Zippy Chippy has retired from racing with an impressive 0–100 record, what’s next for this amazing horse? Write that story in whatever way you imagine it. Consider the following questions to help make your story come alive on the page:
- Where does Zippy Chippy live now?
- Is Felix still a part of Zippy Chippy’s life?
- What does Zippy Chippy dream of doing?
- What does Zippy Chippy worry about?
- What does Zippy Chippy see/smell/taste/touch?
- Would drawing pictures improve your story?
- Activities–With the help of an adult, try some of the following horse-themed crafts:
- Cardboard Horse Cut-outs–So long as an adult cuts the cardboard, this is an easy craft to do.
- Handprint Horse Craft–Suitable for even the youngest of horse-lovers!
- Horse Cupcakes–Yes, this is a craft you can eat. Yummy!
- Horse Toilet Paper Roll Craft–A 3‑dimensional craft that’s as cute as can be.
- Paper Bag Horse Puppet–Perfect for helping sing songs or reading stories like The True Story of Zippy Chippy.
- Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about horses have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)
