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Jumping Jack
From award-winning Swiss author-illustrator team Germano Zullo and Albertine comes this unforgettable tale of Jumping Jack, a champion show-jumping horse whose partnership with his rider has earned him international fame. Victory is expected when Jumping Jack is on the course! Unfortunately, Jumping Jack's success has mysteriously stalled. He tumbles and struggles. What could possibly be wrong? Jumping Jack's loyal rider is determined to find out! What the duo discover will charm readers, not to mention reaffirm their faith in second chances, the power of friendship, and the potential for triumph despite stumbling blocks. A true winner!
34 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Germano Zullo
74 books32 followersGermano Zullo (1968) acquired Swiss nationality in 1985. He studied economics and management, undertook some trips to Europe, worked as an accountant, before turning to writing. He is married to the illustrator Albertine with whom he has collaborated for several albums. He also writes erotic stories, poems and novels. Today he devotes himself entirely to writing.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 13, 2024
این کتاب با اون نقاشی های بانمک و جذابش و اون داستان فوق العاده اش ، یکی از بهترین کتاب کودک هاییه که تاحالا خوندم. روزمو ساخت *.*
February 28, 2015
Jumping Jack was a pretty good read about a champion racing horse named Jumping Jack who lost confidence in his ability to race and his owner Roger Trotter who helped him to relax and feel better. The story was about second chances, friendship, and confidence. Definitely check out this children's picture book out. It was pretty good.
April 6, 2020
Jumping Jack the racehorse and Roger Trotter the jockey were a talented team, winning all manner of show-jumping tournaments. Then disaster struck, and Jumping Jack seemed to lose his skills. A worried Roger took him first to the veterinarian, then to a psychologist, and finally on a seaside vacation for rest, but nothing seemed to help. Then, in the middle of yet another stumble, Roger's eyeglasses slipped off his own face and onto Jack's, resulting in a markedly improved performance. Could it be that this equine champion simply needed corrective eyewear...?
Originally published in Switzerland as Dada, Jumping Jack is the fourth picture-book I have read from talented author/illustrator team Germano Zullo and Albertine, and offers an amusing examination of a common childhood experience: namely, needing eyeglasses. It also happens, by sheer coincidence, to be the second European picture-book I have read recently about a racehorse, following upon Marie Dorléans' The Epic Race . I enjoyed Zullo's story here, appreciating the matter-of-factly madcap nature of the adventure being described. I also enjoyed Albertine's colorful, stylized illustrations, which complement the humor of the tale quite nicely. Recommended to fans of Zullo and Albertine, as well as to those looking for new picture-books about needing glasses.
Originally published in Switzerland as Dada, Jumping Jack is the fourth picture-book I have read from talented author/illustrator team Germano Zullo and Albertine, and offers an amusing examination of a common childhood experience: namely, needing eyeglasses. It also happens, by sheer coincidence, to be the second European picture-book I have read recently about a racehorse, following upon Marie Dorléans' The Epic Race . I enjoyed Zullo's story here, appreciating the matter-of-factly madcap nature of the adventure being described. I also enjoyed Albertine's colorful, stylized illustrations, which complement the humor of the tale quite nicely. Recommended to fans of Zullo and Albertine, as well as to those looking for new picture-books about needing glasses.
April 3, 2019
What a funny little book! The anthropomorphized horse is clearly the star here. Whether he's on the psychiatrist's couch or in an MRI machine, he's always pretty amusing.
Basically, what happens here is that champion show-jumper Jumping Jack suddenly can't jump like he used to. His friend and partner, Roger Trotter, takes him to the vet and the psychologist, but nothing seems to help. It isn't until there's a very fortuitous accident out on the jumping course that Roger and Jack finally figure out what the problem is (and how to fix it). Soon, the team are back to their winning ways.
The pictures are pretty silly, but I kind of like them. There's something about the absurdity of the horse acting (even sitting) like a human that's pretty entertaining.
Of course, if you're against the ideas of horses being used for things like show jumping and racing, you might not like this book so much. Those issues aren't really addressed; instead, this is a lighthearted story about a couple of friends who need to solve a problem. As such, I quite enjoyed it.
Quotable moment:
Basically, what happens here is that champion show-jumper Jumping Jack suddenly can't jump like he used to. His friend and partner, Roger Trotter, takes him to the vet and the psychologist, but nothing seems to help. It isn't until there's a very fortuitous accident out on the jumping course that Roger and Jack finally figure out what the problem is (and how to fix it). Soon, the team are back to their winning ways.
The pictures are pretty silly, but I kind of like them. There's something about the absurdity of the horse acting (even sitting) like a human that's pretty entertaining.
Of course, if you're against the ideas of horses being used for things like show jumping and racing, you might not like this book so much. Those issues aren't really addressed; instead, this is a lighthearted story about a couple of friends who need to solve a problem. As such, I quite enjoyed it.
Quotable moment:
"Surely, two weeks' vacation will return Jumping Jack to his old self!" thought Roger Trotter. Even better, two weeks in the sun would make Jack's coat sparkle and his mane silky.
April 27, 2014
I love the unusual, and quirky illustrations in this one. The story is fun but the illustrations are great!
September 7, 2014
Problem-solving at it’s best!
The text takes us from the connectedness of the champions, through their journey of searching for solutions, then back to the status of being champions. I wonder what the discussion will be with students when they ask about a ‘psychologist’ as so many children and adults today see them. I’m trying to think of how to explain what a psychologist does to a youngster when there may be children in the group who have personal experience with them.
Unusually tall book holds the events of this tall horse and his “other half.” Features of the horse and people are exaggerated, almost in cartoon style. Colorful, with little background, which is mostly blue, or close-ups when needed such as when Roger’s eyeglasses fall off his face and land on Jack’s. Some of the illustrations will be fun to talk about, such as that event which shows three images of Jack in succession on one page that draws the reader’s eye. Jack, being all black, stands out against the mostly solid backgrounds.
I especially like the transposed bodies at the beginning and the end that show us how Jack and Roger were “two halves of the same person.”
The text takes us from the connectedness of the champions, through their journey of searching for solutions, then back to the status of being champions. I wonder what the discussion will be with students when they ask about a ‘psychologist’ as so many children and adults today see them. I’m trying to think of how to explain what a psychologist does to a youngster when there may be children in the group who have personal experience with them.
Unusually tall book holds the events of this tall horse and his “other half.” Features of the horse and people are exaggerated, almost in cartoon style. Colorful, with little background, which is mostly blue, or close-ups when needed such as when Roger’s eyeglasses fall off his face and land on Jack’s. Some of the illustrations will be fun to talk about, such as that event which shows three images of Jack in succession on one page that draws the reader’s eye. Jack, being all black, stands out against the mostly solid backgrounds.
I especially like the transposed bodies at the beginning and the end that show us how Jack and Roger were “two halves of the same person.”
March 7, 2016
This very colorful book is about Jack, a racehorse, and his jockey, Roger Trotter. They are admired champion jumpers until one day Jack can't manage to make a decent jump! Roger Trotter takes Jack to the vet and psychologist, but nothing seems to be the cause of Jack's awful performance. The two take a relaxing vacation to the beach and return ready to win the International Tournament of Martingale. Things don't go quite as planned, and when Roger almost falls off, his glasses land on Jack! As they continue with the event Jack does better and better! After the competition Roger Trotter takes Jack to the ophthalmologist and discovers Jack has needed glasses all along!
The pictures of the competitions are humorous with Jack getting caught between, on top of, and under the jump posts. Also, the minor "boo-boo's" each doctor determines Jack has are quite funny. It's a bright, fun, silly book.
The pictures of the competitions are humorous with Jack getting caught between, on top of, and under the jump posts. Also, the minor "boo-boo's" each doctor determines Jack has are quite funny. It's a bright, fun, silly book.
July 5, 2014
When Jumping Jack, once part of a premiere show-jumping champion team starts messing up during competition, his human counterpart, Roger Trotter, searches for answers to what's wrong. After visiting a veterinarian, a psychologist, and then taking a vacation, they return to the course, refreshed and ready to compete. An initial stumble provides a clue as to what's wrong with Jack. By the time they reach the finish line, they have set a high bar for the other competitors. I loved the quirky illustrations with Jack and Roger wearing glasses while Jack peruses Don Quixote and Roger browses Sports Weekly. This is a hilarious read aloud title that just might help any child facing wearing glasses for the very first time to feel a bit better.
July 5, 2014
Here is another picture book with fabulous illustrations! I love Albertine’s style! The story in the book is very cute too. I love how Jack’s best friend Rodger just won’t give up on him and sticks by him until they figure out what is wrong. It’s a nice tale of friendship, persevering and not giving up. I think it would be good for kids who play sports and get into a “slump” and have to work through it.
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
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April 27, 2014Really unusual and striking illustrations.
July 18, 2014
A quirky story about a race horse in need of a pair of specs. Great illustrations.
September 9, 2014
Picture Book, 2014
A good story about a winning horse and rider teaming how they work together to overcome troubles.
A good story about a winning horse and rider teaming how they work together to overcome troubles.
February 27, 2016
Great illustrations. The ending is somewhat abrupt in my view.
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April 6, 2016A delightful read for those who need glasses, indeed.
October 26, 2016
Si los chicos aman los caballos, este es el libro ideal
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews