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Zippy the Runner
"Zippy the runner loves to run. Although Zippy has a skinny body, short legs, and has never won a race, he never gives up. With the encouragement from his friends, Zippy keeps running, hoping that next time he will do better"--
- GenresPicture Books
29 pages, Library Binding
First published July 15, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 31, 2015
Title: Zippy the Runner
Author: JiYu Kim
Illustrator: JeongHyeon Seon
Publisher: Norwood House Press
Year: 2015
Pages: 29
[Disclaimer: I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my fair an unbiased review of this book. I was in no way compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review of the book. ]
I teach special education at a small elementary school. I have been teaching special education for 4 years now as a second career. It is not easy work--I work with students who have emotional/behavioral disorders. The students keep my on my toes and on the go. They have more energy than is typically necessary for a human, but that is all part of the fun of the work.
Another aspect of these students' lives that is perplexing is their willingness to give up easily on tasks they deem too difficult. Typically their default mode is: "I can't." It is terribly frustrating for me as a teacher because I see in them the ability to do anything they set their minds to doing--even if it requires more processing time to do so. Yet within in them there is a chicane of some sort or another that convinces them they cannot. Thus a large part of every day is spent working to show them that they can, in fact, accomplish something and that what matters is not, always, success, but effort. We constantly use the word 'try' in my classroom because, as I tell the kids, you do not know if you can or cannot until you try.
To this end, I believe Zippy the Runner would be a helpful book. Zippy, the main character, has to press on and on, keep practicing, keep running--keep trying. What I like best is that at the end of the book Zippy has no yet succeeded, but neither has Zippy quit trying. This, in my opinion, is what is key to this story.
I also like the artwork very much. I believe the illustrator did a brilliant job composing art for the pages--even though what I saw on the digital version didn't render very well on my Adobe Digital Editions (I didn't even download this to my NOOK so I'm not sure how it rendered on that device.) Still, I loved what I saw. And if the truth must be told, I will say that if a children's book as good artwork, it will usually fly with kids--and with me. I love the illustrations.
The end of the book features a Reader's Theater idea which can be found here and some curriculum ideas for using the book in the classroom. The reader's theater is a bit short, but may be helpful in lower grades. The curriculum idea is a fun little art project that the students will likely enjoy as well.
This is a book I will incorporate into my classroom and one that I think my students will enjoy. I enjoyed very much and I will look forward to reading more from this author and, perhaps, from Norwood Press House books in the MySELF Bookshelf Series.
5/5 stars
The information below is from the Norwood Press House website I have linked to above.
Grade level: K-2
Dewey: E
Subject: Fiction, Social and Emotional Learning, Optimism, Self-Worth
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 2.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 168500
Lexile Level: 470L
GRL: K
Author: JiYu Kim
Illustrator: JeongHyeon Seon
Publisher: Norwood House Press
Year: 2015
Pages: 29
[Disclaimer: I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my fair an unbiased review of this book. I was in no way compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review of the book. ]
I teach special education at a small elementary school. I have been teaching special education for 4 years now as a second career. It is not easy work--I work with students who have emotional/behavioral disorders. The students keep my on my toes and on the go. They have more energy than is typically necessary for a human, but that is all part of the fun of the work.
Another aspect of these students' lives that is perplexing is their willingness to give up easily on tasks they deem too difficult. Typically their default mode is: "I can't." It is terribly frustrating for me as a teacher because I see in them the ability to do anything they set their minds to doing--even if it requires more processing time to do so. Yet within in them there is a chicane of some sort or another that convinces them they cannot. Thus a large part of every day is spent working to show them that they can, in fact, accomplish something and that what matters is not, always, success, but effort. We constantly use the word 'try' in my classroom because, as I tell the kids, you do not know if you can or cannot until you try.
To this end, I believe Zippy the Runner would be a helpful book. Zippy, the main character, has to press on and on, keep practicing, keep running--keep trying. What I like best is that at the end of the book Zippy has no yet succeeded, but neither has Zippy quit trying. This, in my opinion, is what is key to this story.
I also like the artwork very much. I believe the illustrator did a brilliant job composing art for the pages--even though what I saw on the digital version didn't render very well on my Adobe Digital Editions (I didn't even download this to my NOOK so I'm not sure how it rendered on that device.) Still, I loved what I saw. And if the truth must be told, I will say that if a children's book as good artwork, it will usually fly with kids--and with me. I love the illustrations.
The end of the book features a Reader's Theater idea which can be found here and some curriculum ideas for using the book in the classroom. The reader's theater is a bit short, but may be helpful in lower grades. The curriculum idea is a fun little art project that the students will likely enjoy as well.
This is a book I will incorporate into my classroom and one that I think my students will enjoy. I enjoyed very much and I will look forward to reading more from this author and, perhaps, from Norwood Press House books in the MySELF Bookshelf Series.
5/5 stars
The information below is from the Norwood Press House website I have linked to above.
Grade level: K-2
Dewey: E
Subject: Fiction, Social and Emotional Learning, Optimism, Self-Worth
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 2.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 168500
Lexile Level: 470L
GRL: K
November 5, 2014
Zippy, an adorable little zebra, was born to run. He has it in his DNA. Unfortunatly he has never won a race. He practices and hangs in there but his body is skinny and his legs are very short. Does he give up? Absolutely not. He may not be the frontrunner but he loves the sport too much to quit. His friends feel bad for him and try to encourage him to try other things that he may be good at and therefore achieve success, but Zippy will have none of it.....running it is.
He becomes a role-model of "Hope". He runs because it gives him so much joy and happiness inside and who knows, maybe next time he will win. He shows others that it is ok to do something you love just because it feels so exhilarating and gives you satisfaction and deep-down contentment in your heart. He encourages others not to get discouraged and withdraw from their passion because they did not take first place. He inspires others to press on, run that race.... but just for the fun of it!!
This book includes social and emotional learning concepts of hope, optimism and perseverance. The book wisely includes tips for caregivers and story coaching. A Reader's Theatre version is available so children can benefit from dramatic interpretation.
The illustrations are vibrant, colourful and quirky. I like them a lot. The Myself Bookshelf series is an amazing series of stories that encourage social awareness, self-worth, and strong relationships with family and friends. I highly recommend this book.
He becomes a role-model of "Hope". He runs because it gives him so much joy and happiness inside and who knows, maybe next time he will win. He shows others that it is ok to do something you love just because it feels so exhilarating and gives you satisfaction and deep-down contentment in your heart. He encourages others not to get discouraged and withdraw from their passion because they did not take first place. He inspires others to press on, run that race.... but just for the fun of it!!
This book includes social and emotional learning concepts of hope, optimism and perseverance. The book wisely includes tips for caregivers and story coaching. A Reader's Theatre version is available so children can benefit from dramatic interpretation.
The illustrations are vibrant, colourful and quirky. I like them a lot. The Myself Bookshelf series is an amazing series of stories that encourage social awareness, self-worth, and strong relationships with family and friends. I highly recommend this book.
December 4, 2014
Zippy is a zebra who loves to run. He runs all the time and constantly enters races, but he never wins. At first his friends are very supportive, but after he loses the hundredth race, they ask him why he doesn't just give up. His answer is a wonderful one for young readers. He explains that he runs because he loves it and because there is always a next time when he will have a chance to win. Children need to hear that it is alright to do something they enjoy, even if they don't earn trophies or award for it. Zippy also helps a friend train for a race and the friend thanks him for his support. Zippy may not cross the finish line ahead of everyone else, but his perseverance gives everyone else hope.
This would be perfect to read with a child who is having difficulty learning a new skill, or who is feeling discouraged about not being the winner in every activity. It could be used in a classroom or guidance lesson on life skills such as perseverance, too.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
This would be perfect to read with a child who is having difficulty learning a new skill, or who is feeling discouraged about not being the winner in every activity. It could be used in a classroom or guidance lesson on life skills such as perseverance, too.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
January 15, 2015
This is an inspirational tale of Zippy the Zebra who loves running. In races he always comes last but that doesn't stop him running because he knew that he would keep getting better and he enjoyed it anyway! He always hoped and kept persevered and kept a positive attitude despite sometimes negative suggestions from friends.
How the story could be used to encourage children to persevere and have hope is suggested after the story. This book is one of a series that is designed to support children's social emotional learning in an endeavour to "promote not only self-awareness, responsibility, positive relationships, but also academic achievement." It is a delightful story, beautifully illustrated and could easily be used in the suggested ways to help children learn that "if at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again!"
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
How the story could be used to encourage children to persevere and have hope is suggested after the story. This book is one of a series that is designed to support children's social emotional learning in an endeavour to "promote not only self-awareness, responsibility, positive relationships, but also academic achievement." It is a delightful story, beautifully illustrated and could easily be used in the suggested ways to help children learn that "if at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again!"
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2016
Perseverance and doing your personal best. Little arc.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews