Clippity-clop

by Pamela Allen

The little old man and the little old woman are off on a trip with their donkeys. But the donkeys won't move and have to be persuaded in some very ingenious ways!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 1995

About the author

Pamela Kay Allen MNZM AM, born in 1934 in Devonport, New Zealand, is a celebrated children's author and illustrator.
Since the release of her first book, Mr. Archimedes' Bath, in 1980, she has written and illustrated over 50 picture books, selling over five million copies. Renowned for works like Who Sank the Boat?.
Allen has received numerous accolades, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award and the Margaret Mahy Medal. Her books have been adapted for the stage and are beloved worldwide. Now residing in Auckland, she remains an icon in children's literature.

Reviews

[Shane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the excellent onomatopoeia throughout the story, but didn't particularly enjoy the storyline.

[Brandon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is absolutely NOT recommended for youngsters. It's ostensibly a book about stubborn donkeys, but very quickly it devolves into a heinous parade of blowing and sucking and talks of sacks and coming.

Other than that it's pretty good.

[Sue Winson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pamela Allen has many books involving stories with problem-solving scenarios, most of them are really interesting. This is one of my favourite of those problem-solving books.

The little old man and little old woman loaded the donkeys with all kinds of goods. They pulled and pushed and shoved and did many other things, but the donkey refused to move. In the end, one of them managed to figure out an effective way to solve their little problem.

22-month old little-AJ and myself love the fun story: we bounce when the donkeys go "clippity-clop, clippity-clop", we do the huffing and puffing sound together, we rock our body happily when we sing the very cheeky "yummy yummy yum yum", we pretend to chew "munch crunchy lunch munch", and giggle after doing a big burp. This is a very fun book to read together, with many noisy and happy sounds to make.

I can imagine some animal right activists will find this book not to their taste: the little old man whipped the donkey (which was wrong, and the book made it clear that such aggression does not help us to solve any problem), the two donkeys were both heavily loaded with goods and furniture, and both the old man and the old woman used all kinds of treats and tricks to make the donkeys move. I see this as a very good opportunity to start a conversation with the kids about animal rights, whilst enjoying a great story together.

Blog review here: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...

[Emily Speller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent for young children, as they will love all the sounds you make as you read it aloud to them (and if not yet properly speaking may even try to imitate some of them)! It has quickly become a favourite in our household.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 19 months, Ll loves this book. You do have to 'bring it' with the sound effects... And a warning to the sensitive, a donkey gets hit with a stick. But it's clear in the context of the story that it's not the right thing to do. I like that so many of Pamela Allen's books are about clever problem solving. You can sort of talk about cause and effect, and consequences to actions of a technical kind.

[Jemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember having to reread this book many times by request. You do need to get the sound effects going when you read which can be trying! It has an interesting solution to the problem in the story. Provides a few discussion leads, creative problem solving and cruelty to animals.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a homework book for my 5 year old grand daughter. I read it to her several times and she laughed when the old lady passed the old man - Clippity Clop!