Review of Children's Book: Skipingo Home

In poetic format, with a richness of viewpoint similar to that used in the timeless classic (fictional horse story) Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell, Skipingo Home, by Jane Lyon and Karen Bailey, tells the story of Skipingo, a Thoroughbred racehorse born of champion bloodlines. The difference is that Skipingo Home is a children's tale about a real life Thoroughbred, a brother to 1998 Horse of the Year Skip Away.

The authors use Skipingo's voice in poetic verse to great affect.

A Thoroughbred foal is born of superior breeding at (real life) Summer Wind Farm and named Skipingo. The foal soon is made aware of his heritage, but the first thing he remembers upon birth is the touch and voice of his human caretaker (Bailey).

In the first few pages of the story, the reader learns of Skipingo's contentment with life at Summer Wind Farm. He runs and plays with friends and family in the lush green pastures.

Then his life changes when he begins training to run races like his famous brother. He is fearful of trying to live up to the track prowess of Skip Away. But his human friend continues to encourage him, telling him that he is special in his own way.

In time, Skipingo is sent to the Keeneland (Kentucky) sales ring and purchased by a Thoroughbred owner who is, he hears, a prince! (This is real life Prince Ahmed bin Salman.) As his new owner claims him, he shares his previous owner's sadness at parting. The girl says she will find him again some day.

For five years, Skipingo tries his hardest to win at the races, but he isn't as capable as his talented brother and can win just twice in his first two seasons. The losses leave him "hollow inside".

When the prince dies, Skipingo wonders if his unfulfilled life is done, too.

One day he hears the familiar voice of an old friend. The girl who raised him has found him and buys him back to return him to Summer Wind Farm. There, at the age of seven, Skipingo learns a new trade. He finds his own way to become a champion.

The poetic treatment of the story, and Skipingo's own voice end here.

"Skipingo's Story" follows in the authors' third person telling: a page to explain that Skip Away, Skipingo and his mother Ingot Way, Summer Wind Farm, Prince Salman's ownership of Skipingo, as well as the prince's pre-mature death, and Skipingo's rehabilitation all comprise the horse's true story.

The illustrations and drawings by Susie Gordon are a gorgeous companion to the story, which is really a "I can shine, too" message for children (and adults). The use of poetic horse voice is uniquely charming and touching.

The reader also learns something about the illustrator and the authors in brief bio-clips, and that the book's purchase proceeds go in part to Thoroughbred rescue efforts. The book is a beautiful 11 x 9-1/2 publication by Eclipse Press, a division of Blood-Horse Publications, Box 919003, Lexington, Kentucky; 2008 first edition, ISBN 978-1-58150-205-3.