The True Story of Zippy Chippy
The Little Horse That Couldn't
The True Story of Zippy Chippy
The Little Horse That Couldn't
Zippy Chippy is descended from the leading legends of horse racing. He is destined for greatness and glory.
But . . . when the starting bell rings, it’s anybody’s guess what Zippy will do. Will Zippy go for a gentle trot around the track or stop and smell the roses? Or, perhaps, never even leave the starting gate?!
With mischief in his makeup, he’s known to stick his tongue out at people and chew up the hats of passersby. And he’s always trying to break out of his stall. What’s an owner to do? Try and try again! After all, he believes in Zippy—and, besides, the horse is now a part of the family. But as Zippy’s losses mount, a funny thing happens. People start to take notice of the hapless, cupcake-eating horse. Could it be that they’re betting on Zippy to win?
This remarkable story of the famed racehorse who lost every race is sure to win your heart!
Quirky, sweet, but never sentimental, this offbeat account never makes fun of Zippy but instead celebrates his unique personality and spirit, which are reflected in the tone of both the narrative and illustrations.
CCBC
The cute cartoon illustrations match the amusing narrative, making this a fun story for sharing.
Heidi Grange, School Library Journal
It takes all kinds to make the world go round, and Zippy Chippy is a horse like no other...Showing that you don't always need a trophy to be a winner, this fun book will make you love Zippy Chippy and all horses for who they are.
Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books, Wake Forest NC
Artie Bennett wasn’t horsing around when he wrote about this delightfully mischievous horse. Using clever wordplay, humor, and heartfelt feelings, this book will appeal to animal lovers everywhere.
Humor Me Blog
You’ll fall in love with this horse and trainer who persist in racing despite being, well, terrible.
Melissa Taylor, Imagination Soup
"The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn't is an endearing and engaging picture book that tells the story of Zippy Chippy, a racehorse that was really good at losing. Through humor, heart, and fun storytelling, Artie Bennett does a wonderful job of telling Zippy Chippy's unique life story. Young readers will be captivated by Zippy Chippy's quirky life, irresistible personality, and unexpected fame. Dave Szalay's chipper, chuckle-inducing illustrations bring Zippy Chippy to life perfectly. Bennett beautifully captures the heart of Zippy Chippy, offering readers a tale that is as inspiring and heartfelt as it is funny and entertaining.
Word Spelunking
A rollicking good yarn that Bennett tells with relish and Dave Szalay illustrates with panache. Bennett neatly chronicles the ups and downs of Zippy Chippy's adventures, some of which are hilarious, such as his loss in a 40-yard sprint against a human baseball player. But the conclusion that "Zippy won in the end," won because he lost every race he ran, is inescapably, delightfully twisted
InfoDad
What a treat it was to read Artie Bennett's new picture-book biography, The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn't, with illustrations by Dave Szalay. Bennett, who's best known for his humorous picture books in verse, hit the daily double by bringing out both the humor and humanity in this charming tale of a horse destined for fame, but not the winning races kind.
Good Reads With Ronna
- Magnolia Book Awards Winner, 2023
- CCBC Choices, 2021
- Northern Lights Book Awards Picture Book 4-8 Category Winner, 2021
- Indiana Young Hoosier Award 2023-2024 nominee
