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WellieWishers #9
The Clippity-Cloppity Carnival
The WellieWishers couldn’t be more excited—they’re making a carnival in the garden! There will be games and cotton candy, balloons and baby chicks. Best of all, there will be a real horse to ride! There’s only one problem: Ashlyn refuses to come. She’s afraid of horses. But the carnival just won’t be as much fun without Ashlyn! Can her friends convince her to give it a try?
96 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2018
3 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tripp
272 books442 followersValerie Tripp is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl series.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 27, 2024
The Wellie Wishers get to see Mr. Louie’s farm animals, all so excited for they get there, but the giant horse scares Ashlyn so much, it wasn’t what she expected. Then they plan a carnival for friends and family to come see the animals, but when news of Mr. Louie’s horse is coming Ashlyn is too scared to attend.
Loved that the girls were so excited for so many different things on Mr. Louie’s land, from the animals, to the tractors it was sweet that he shared with them so much. I also loved how it inspired them to want to do their own carnival so they could share with others what they experienced.
Ashlyn was excited to meet the horse but he was so much bigger and scarier than she dreamt and then was so worried when she thought he’d be coming to the garden in the carnival, but Camille was so sweet and helpful and guided Ashlyn in the right way to overcoming her fear.
I also really loved that they used so much imagination with their own plastic horses, it was adorable. I really love these books, the illustrations are just stunning and so beautiful to look at, the girls always go through something but learn a lesson in the end and I really love it.
Loved that the girls were so excited for so many different things on Mr. Louie’s land, from the animals, to the tractors it was sweet that he shared with them so much. I also loved how it inspired them to want to do their own carnival so they could share with others what they experienced.
Ashlyn was excited to meet the horse but he was so much bigger and scarier than she dreamt and then was so worried when she thought he’d be coming to the garden in the carnival, but Camille was so sweet and helpful and guided Ashlyn in the right way to overcoming her fear.
I also really loved that they used so much imagination with their own plastic horses, it was adorable. I really love these books, the illustrations are just stunning and so beautiful to look at, the girls always go through something but learn a lesson in the end and I really love it.
February 23, 2020
When Kaylee was almost 3 we stopped at a ToysRus outlet on vacation. (Sadly no longer an option.) We told her she could pick whatever toy she wanted, but instead she insisted on a WellieWisher book.
Several years later she has 2 WellieWisher dolls (Ashlyn and Camille) and several books, including this one, The Clippity-Cloppity Carnival by Valerie Tripp.
In it the girls decide to have a carnival with games, food (including the cotton candy cart Kaylee received for Hanukkah), and animals. Except while Ashlyn has always loved horses, she a little scared of the horse Thunderstorm that will be coming. But luckily her friend Camille convinces her to give the carnival a chance.
I think these books are so adorable! They’re in full colors with so many pictures throughout. Plus the girls are such great friends, always there for each other. I’m not sure this is my favorite of the series, but it’s still a lot of fun!
4.5/5
Several years later she has 2 WellieWisher dolls (Ashlyn and Camille) and several books, including this one, The Clippity-Cloppity Carnival by Valerie Tripp.
In it the girls decide to have a carnival with games, food (including the cotton candy cart Kaylee received for Hanukkah), and animals. Except while Ashlyn has always loved horses, she a little scared of the horse Thunderstorm that will be coming. But luckily her friend Camille convinces her to give the carnival a chance.
I think these books are so adorable! They’re in full colors with so many pictures throughout. Plus the girls are such great friends, always there for each other. I’m not sure this is my favorite of the series, but it’s still a lot of fun!
4.5/5
August 15, 2022
Some friends of mine picked up American Girl books for me at their library's used book sale, and I am pleased to own four WellieWishers books now. My library only has two of them, and I will be suggesting this one for purchase. It's SO GOOD, with a gentle, honest exploration of how to rebound after a scary situation and overcome fear.
The simple text and charming illustrations will appeal to young readers, and the friendship dynamics are engaging and sweet. The story unfolds in a very natural way, with a solid plot progression, and it shows how Ashlyn copes with and eventually overcomes her fear.
The note for parents at the end of the book demonstrates how to create a personalized "bravery path" for overcoming avoidance and facing fears. So, basically, this early chapter book introduces parents and small children to an exposure therapy ladder! I love it so much.
The simple text and charming illustrations will appeal to young readers, and the friendship dynamics are engaging and sweet. The story unfolds in a very natural way, with a solid plot progression, and it shows how Ashlyn copes with and eventually overcomes her fear.
The note for parents at the end of the book demonstrates how to create a personalized "bravery path" for overcoming avoidance and facing fears. So, basically, this early chapter book introduces parents and small children to an exposure therapy ladder! I love it so much.
June 7, 2021
Ashlyn learns to face a fear when the Wellie wishers throw a carnival party with a horse as a guest. Ashlyn learns to confide in her friends about her fear, and how to take steps to feel more comfortable facing what she is afraid of. A parent section is included detailing ways to help children conquer fears.
The Wellie wisher books are cute for the 5-8 age group, either as a read aloud or as independent reading for children with some chapter book experience. The issues faced by the Wellie wishers are very relatable for children of this age, and the cute illustrations, themes, and characters make them desirable reads.
The Wellie wisher books are cute for the 5-8 age group, either as a read aloud or as independent reading for children with some chapter book experience. The issues faced by the Wellie wishers are very relatable for children of this age, and the cute illustrations, themes, and characters make them desirable reads.
October 25, 2018
Such a cute story! I had no idea all the pages were in full color. There were beautiful images on almost every page. It made it feel like you were a part of the story. The message behind this Wellie Wishers book seemed spot-on. I appreciated that there was a parent's guide at the end of the book so adults can introduce a conversation about the lesson of the book with their children. A lovely little story with gorgeous illustrations.
June 29, 2025
After a couple slightly-lackluster installments in the WellieWishers series, The Clippity-Cloppity Carnival shows that these characters haven't run low on good stories after all. This one's got a more complex plot, with opportunities for kids to consider how Ashlyn, Camille, and the rest of the girls might be feeling differently about various events. The ending also directly sets up the next book (Emerson and Princess Peep), which is fun.
September 17, 2018
American Girl : Wellie Wishers
March 31, 2020
Great story about overcoming fears.
December 9, 2020
Another sweet little girls book on friendship, bravery and facing your fears. My 7 year old and I have really enjoyed this series so far. She now wants to read all of them!
January 12, 2023
It was encouraging and taught me to be brave!
-Julia, 7 year old
-Julia, 7 year old
August 7, 2023
My son and I read this together in one evening before bedtime. Quick, pleasant, and happy ending with beautiful illustrations. We both enjoyed it a lot!
January 18, 2024
It would be nice to have drawings of little girls wearing pants. 🤷🏻♀️
July 1, 2024
Loved how it was all about building bravery.
March 15, 2021
I loved the story.I liked it because it had lots of animals.It’s fun to read it with the dolls too.I like Welly wisher books because the girls are very adventurous.It was a really good story and a very fast read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews