The Bumpy Ride by Sally Rippin

My son was gifted a copy of The Bumpy Ride (Hey Jack! #10) by Sally Rippin as an end of year school gift. He completed his first year of schooling this year – an achievement in current COVID times! I was eager to read the book with him, as it has a horse focus.

The Bumpy Ride is actually a book suitable to encourage independent reading, but of course I had to read it! The way it is set out, I can see that it will encourage my five-year-old to read this chapter book and get a sense of achievement from completing it. The text is a good size and well spaced out. There are also illustrations to go with the story.

Jack is going horse riding in this book and he’s excited. That is, until he learns that most of the other riders have experience – even his best friend Billie. Jack starts to get nervous. This soon turns to annoyance when his dreams of being a cowboy are dashed by being put on the slowest pony.

This story is a simple, effective read that shows things aren’t always as they seem. And that the ‘slow’, reliable pony can often be the best bet for a good ride.

I enjoyed this aspect of the story and the only fault I could find was a reference to Jack’s mount eating straw in a stable. Typically horses eat hay, not straw. Other than this, the story was an enjoyable read and one I am sure my son will benefit from reading by himself in the future.

Author: Sally Rippin
Fiction – children
In my library? It is as an ebook, yes!

“A horse loves freedom, and the weariest old work horse will roll on the ground or break into a lumbering gallop when he is turned loose into the open.” – ― Gerald Raftery