I stumbled upon an article about Zippy Chippy and knew, right out of the starting gate, that I needed to share his fascinating tale with young readers. I’m the author of a quintet of hilarious rhyming picture books, including the classic The Butt Book and my “number two” picture book, Poopendous! But this was a horse of a different color for me. It’s my first picture-book biography in prose. When I was a lad, my father would take me, on occasion, to Aqueduct Racetrack. I watched in awe as the horses would thunder by. These boyhood experiences surely planted the seeds. I fell in love with Zippy Chippy, and I know you will, too.
I wrote
The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn't
This charming Beginner Book from 1962 delighted me in childhood and delights me still. It’s the story of a hardworking horse, Robert, who is handicapped by a rather severe allergy to roses. Roses make him sneeze, but it’s not your garden-variety sneeze. It’s a volcanic sneeze that upends everything in its path. Seeking his fortune in the big city, Robert undertakes a succession of jobs, only to be undone at each by his misfortunate malady. Will Robert everachieve job security? The hilarious P. D. Eastman illustrations make this an enduring classic.
This sweet, humorous tale from my childhood combined two of my favorite things—horses and baseball—making it the perfect mashup for me. The narrator, with tongue in cheek, recounts the story of two brothers in the boondocks who attempt to cobble together a baseball team to square off against rival towns. But because prospective ballplayers are few and far between, they enlist the services of Edgar, an all-white horse, to fill out their roster and play center field. Edgar can’t hit for beans, but he can chase down fly balls like Willie Mays, catching the ball between his teeth. Can an outfielder who nibbles on the grass between pitches succeed? Sadly, this fun book is no longer in print.
Edgar, the horse, could not hit or run the bases, despite some rather wild assertions that he could, but he was an outfielder par excellence, a lot better, indeed, than Henri Dubonnier, the French-Canadian wood chopper who played next to him for that zany outfit, the Smoky Bellows Anvils.
From 1941 comes this powerful story of a teenage boy, Alec Ramsay, and his horse. Alec and the wild horse are the sole survivors of a storm-driven shipwreck, marooned together on a desert island. There they must learn to trust each other if either is to survive the ordeal. They eventually develop a strong bond after many fits and starts. I galloped through this gripping adventure story that takes Alec and the Black on an episodic journey together. It also broadened my horizons, as exotic places for a boy from Brooklyn are featured. The book spawned more than a score of sequels, several written by Walter Farley’s son, but the original is as engrossing a horse novel for young readers as you’ll find.
First published in 1941, Walter Farley's best-selling novel for young readers is the triumphant tale of a boy and a wild horse. From Alec Ramsay and the Black's first meeting on an ill-fated ship to their adventures on a desert island and their eventual rescue, this beloved story will hold the rapt attention of readers new and old.
This book has been selected as a Common Core State Standards Text Exemplar (Grades 4-5, Stories) in Appendix B.
I wear two hats. In addition to being a children’s book writer, I’m also the executive copy editor at Random House Books for Young Readers. I had the good fortune recently to work on a new novel from R. J. Palacio, of Wonderfame. It’s a one-of-a-kind Western that seamlessly and skillfully melds the material and the supernatural worlds. And it’s beautifully written and filled with heart-stopping suspense and iconic characters. Pony, a mysterious horse, leads a boy, Silas, on an epic quest to rescue his father from desperadoes. This haunting, deeply moving coming-of-age tale stayed with me long past its completion.
2
authors picked
Pony
as one of their favorite books, and they share
why you should read it.
This book is for kids age
10,
11,
12, and
13.
What is this book about?
The highly anticipated, unforgettable new story from the internationally bestselling, multi-award-winning author of WONDER.
'Thrillingly told . . . Palacio is a fantastic writer' The Times
'Perfection . . . A beautiful, funny, heart-twisting wonder of a book . . . A brilliant story of love and courage' Wall Street Journal
When Silas Bird wakes in the dead of night, he watches powerlessly as three strangers take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool . . . who happens to be a ghost. But then a mysterious pony shows…
Philip Kerr has written a riveting survival story set in Nazi-occupied Ukraine. In hiding and desperate to stay alive are a young Jewish girl, Kalinka, whose family had just been slaughtered, and two rare Przewalski’s horses that she befriends and looks after, with all three marked for extermination by the Germans. Historical fact is woven into this enthralling, suspenseful story as the courageous girl and the horses are pursued across the Ukrainian steppes, encountering the best and the very worst of mankind in their bid to survive. The author deftly evokes both the harshness and beauty of winter. I also enjoyed learning about these critically endangered animals, which are said to be the last truly wild horses.
From Philip Kerr, the New York Times bestselling author of the Bernie Gunther novels, comes a breathtaking journey of survival in the dark days of WWII in Ukraine, a country that remains tumultuous today. This inspiring tale captures the power of the human spirit and is perfect for fans of The Book Thief, Milkweed, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
It will soon be another cold winter in the Ukraine. But it's 1941, and things are different this year. Max, the devoted caretaker of an animal preserve, must learn to live with the Nazis who have overtaken this precious…
The humorous, inspirational, heartwarming story of a racehorse who ran 100 races but lost everysingle one, yet became a folk hero, just like his legendary ancestors. Narrowly avoiding the slaughterhouse, Zippy Chippy is acquired by Felix Monserrate, a horse trainer from Puerto Rico, who believes he can turn Zippy’s fortunes around. And when Felix’s small daughter, Marisa, develops a frolicsome friendship with the mischievous horse, Zippy’s fortunes do turn around, though not necessarily on the racetrack. The book is beautifully illustrated by Dave Szalay, who captures the soul of a steed. Zippy teaches us to never give up on our dreams, even when their fulfillment may sometimes be elusive. The fabled racehorse passed away on April 16, 2022, days shy of his 31st birthday. I was privileged to deliver a eulogy at his graveside memorial service.
Every picture tells a story, but it’s not always the one we expect or remember. Christmas Actually is a festive drama about family and forgiveness and a snapshot of modern family life, addressing Instagram to motherhood and everything in between.
Why Christmas? My publisher wanted my new novel to have a festive theme, specifically set in Australia–sun, surf, sunburn, and prawns. Christmas in Australia is very different from Christmas in the UK, USA, and Canada. We typically wear shorts and t-shirts, eat salad and seafood for Christmas lunch, and play beach cricket in the afternoon. Despite the season, conflicts, secrets,…
Time spent with family can be challenging, especially at Christmas actually…
Kate Cavendish is stuck in a rut. That is until a former colleague contacts her and offers her a chance to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a successful photographer.
With her focus pulled in all directions by her children, her pregnant sister, her newly-dating mother, and the niggling worry that her husband might be having an affair, Kate is filled with self-doubt.
Then as the countdown to Christmas begins, and memories of her own childhood resurface, Kate’s anxiety deepens – both personally and professionally. Can she move on…
