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The Gift
All eleven-year old Pip wanted was a best friend. When Pip gets a horse for her birthday she is delighted. She thinks that the horse she names Buck will be her best friend from the moment that they meet. But she finds out that friendship does not come that easily. Her father gently guides her so that Pip can discover for herself how to make Buck a true friend.
Pip's new friend, Buck, has a story of his own. After leaving his own herd, to move to Pip's house, he is looking for a relationship that will help him feel safe. He, too, learns that making a friend takes patience and understanding.
Pip's new friend, Buck, has a story of his own. After leaving his own herd, to move to Pip's house, he is looking for a relationship that will help him feel safe. He, too, learns that making a friend takes patience and understanding.
62 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2015
254 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca J. Hubbard
3 books25 followersRebecca Hubbard is a master's level licensed marriage and family therapist with over twenty years of experience working with children and their families.
Currently, Rebecca works at the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center. In her work with young children and their families she often writes or tells therapeutic stories to facilitate the healing process.
Currently, Rebecca works at the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center. In her work with young children and their families she often writes or tells therapeutic stories to facilitate the healing process.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 29, 2016
This is the cuties book ever. Pip wants a horse so badly that she is a little hurt that Buck isn’t sharing her feelings. I love how her father helps guide her. But the best part was how the second half of the story is told from Buck’s perspective. His behavior makes sense when you think about everything he has gone through too. Besides a wonderful story, there are amazing illustrations throughout the book. They really add to the story.
I grew up on a little farm and always thought it would be great to have a horse and do the things you read about in books. How the horse is the person’s best friend and I wanted the same thing. But it didn’t work with me for most of the same reasons Pip had. But this also applies to all animals, not just horses. When adopting a new cat or dog the same thing happens.
This is a great story for any age but would be perfect for children. It is similar to a chapter book and would be perfect for children to read. It also teaches them how to be understand and patient with their new friend whether it would be a horse, cat or dog. Make sure to add this book to your collection.
I received The Gift for free from My Book Tour in exchange for an honest review.
I grew up on a little farm and always thought it would be great to have a horse and do the things you read about in books. How the horse is the person’s best friend and I wanted the same thing. But it didn’t work with me for most of the same reasons Pip had. But this also applies to all animals, not just horses. When adopting a new cat or dog the same thing happens.
This is a great story for any age but would be perfect for children. It is similar to a chapter book and would be perfect for children to read. It also teaches them how to be understand and patient with their new friend whether it would be a horse, cat or dog. Make sure to add this book to your collection.
I received The Gift for free from My Book Tour in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2016
This is a such sweet book, very short and aimed at a young audience .. under ten’s I would suggest. A lot of the content is in the blurb so it doesn’t leave much else to comment on here.
All Pip wants for her birthday is a pony but delve a little deeper and what she really desires is a friend. I suspect she is very lonely.
This displays how making fiends is give and take, Pip assumes wrongly that Buck (the pony) will do whatever she wants him to do and it’s quite a learning curve for her once her dad explains that she has to work at the friendship.
The first half of the book is Pip’s POV and the second half interestingly is from Buck .. I as an adult found that quite charming.
The author shows a passion for horses and this shines through. An excellent book either for a group school study or to read alone/together at home.
The pictures are delightful and it will appeal to many horse loving kids.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Susan Barton for the opportunity to read and review.
All Pip wants for her birthday is a pony but delve a little deeper and what she really desires is a friend. I suspect she is very lonely.
This displays how making fiends is give and take, Pip assumes wrongly that Buck (the pony) will do whatever she wants him to do and it’s quite a learning curve for her once her dad explains that she has to work at the friendship.
The first half of the book is Pip’s POV and the second half interestingly is from Buck .. I as an adult found that quite charming.
The author shows a passion for horses and this shines through. An excellent book either for a group school study or to read alone/together at home.
The pictures are delightful and it will appeal to many horse loving kids.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Susan Barton for the opportunity to read and review.
July 25, 2016
I received a free ecopy of this book for an honest review.
The Gift is a children's book about a young girl who gets a horse for her birthday. She wants to be friends with the horse and she doesn't understand why he's scared of her. Her father explains that it will take time before the horse will trust her and he gives her guidance along the way.
The second half of the book is from the horse's point of view which will be even more helpful for children to understand exactly what a new horse, or any new pet, is feeling.
This is a cute story with colorful illustrations. The text is simple enough for children to understand. What I like best about it, though, is that it teaches children that it is work to take care of a horse but with patience and understanding, he can be your best friend.
The Gift is a children's book about a young girl who gets a horse for her birthday. She wants to be friends with the horse and she doesn't understand why he's scared of her. Her father explains that it will take time before the horse will trust her and he gives her guidance along the way.
The second half of the book is from the horse's point of view which will be even more helpful for children to understand exactly what a new horse, or any new pet, is feeling.
This is a cute story with colorful illustrations. The text is simple enough for children to understand. What I like best about it, though, is that it teaches children that it is work to take care of a horse but with patience and understanding, he can be your best friend.
September 12, 2015
Pip is an eleven-year-old girl who is happy when she receives a colt for her birthday. She names him Buck and sets out to make him her new best friend, since she naturally assumes she’s found one in her young horse. Pip grows increasingly frustrated when Buck pays little attention to her and gallops away whenever she gets too close to him. Pip’s dad helps her to understand that befriending a horse takes time and she needs to be patient. Will Pip and Buck eventually become friends? What if we could see the friendship progress not only through Pip’s eyes, but also through Buck’s eyes as well?
I loved this sweet and unique book! What a wonderful way to teach children about horses, friendship and patience! I adored the way the second half of the book is told from Buck’s POV. Brilliant! Buck’s descriptions of Pip as a “pipsqueak”, with a black mane and screechy voice made me chuckle. I’m certain children will get a kick out of this.
It’s obvious that Rebecca Hubbard knows a lot about horses. I’d never thought about seeing things from a horse’s perspective, but it makes perfect sense when it comes straight from the horse’s mouth. I could definitely see The Gift used as a stepping-stone when teaching children in a classroom setting, prior to beginning riding lessons or simply one on one at home. The illustrations are lovely and wonderful accompaniments to the story. I highly recommend The Gift!
http://ebookreviewgal.com received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this sweet and unique book! What a wonderful way to teach children about horses, friendship and patience! I adored the way the second half of the book is told from Buck’s POV. Brilliant! Buck’s descriptions of Pip as a “pipsqueak”, with a black mane and screechy voice made me chuckle. I’m certain children will get a kick out of this.
It’s obvious that Rebecca Hubbard knows a lot about horses. I’d never thought about seeing things from a horse’s perspective, but it makes perfect sense when it comes straight from the horse’s mouth. I could definitely see The Gift used as a stepping-stone when teaching children in a classroom setting, prior to beginning riding lessons or simply one on one at home. The illustrations are lovely and wonderful accompaniments to the story. I highly recommend The Gift!
http://ebookreviewgal.com received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2016
If you would like to learn a little bit about how to act around horses or how to teach a horse to be used to human contact then this is a good book for you.
It is a little unique because the first part of the story is written in the point of view of the main character, an 11 year old named Pip. She desperately wanted a horse. When she finally received one from her father, she desperately wanted to be friends with it. She became easily discouraged when the horse would not warm up to her and often ran away from her.
The second part of the book was written in the point of view of the horse. This part was really unique because it covered the same events that Pip told about but gave you the horse's perceptions and explained why the horse reacted the way he did to Pip.
Opinion:
I felt this book was well-written and would be a good story for anyone under the age of 10. I am 11 years old and I felt that Pip was really annoying. She acted much younger than the 11 year olds that I know. It would have been better if Pip was more around the age of 8 or so.
I really enjoyed the second part of the book though. Reading about the same experiences but getting an understanding about how the horse perceived the moment was really cool! The author obviously knows a lot about horses and how they behave.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 11
It is a little unique because the first part of the story is written in the point of view of the main character, an 11 year old named Pip. She desperately wanted a horse. When she finally received one from her father, she desperately wanted to be friends with it. She became easily discouraged when the horse would not warm up to her and often ran away from her.
The second part of the book was written in the point of view of the horse. This part was really unique because it covered the same events that Pip told about but gave you the horse's perceptions and explained why the horse reacted the way he did to Pip.
Opinion:
I felt this book was well-written and would be a good story for anyone under the age of 10. I am 11 years old and I felt that Pip was really annoying. She acted much younger than the 11 year olds that I know. It would have been better if Pip was more around the age of 8 or so.
I really enjoyed the second part of the book though. Reading about the same experiences but getting an understanding about how the horse perceived the moment was really cool! The author obviously knows a lot about horses and how they behave.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 11
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews