Chip And Chatti Save The Farm by Heidi Paul

Gosh, how long has it been since I’ve held a physical copy of a children’s chapter book in my hands? It was a genuine, nostalgic pleasure to read this in the company of my dog-nephew Mario, as he kept me company during downtimes in an otherwise frantic (if super fun!) performance week.

Set in a pastoral recent past of horse buggies and hoboes, this book tells the tale of best friends Chip the dog and Chatti the cat. Their owner spends long hours at work and doesn’t have much time to play with them. When they meet Twinkle the mouse, she promises to grant them a wish so long as they don’t eat her.

What Chip and Chatti want most is the freedom of adventure. Neither of them thinks that Twinkle can actually provide that, so are astonished when Twinkle manages to set them free. Soon, the trio are on their way to the vastness of the countryside, with the aid and companionship of an unusual man named Bingo, who is somehow able to understand them all perfectly.

Bingo introduces them to the joys of life on the open road, as they travel from farm to farm looking for enough work to provide them a few meals and a night’s lodging. Chip and Chatti are happy to help where they can. But there’s something odd about the latest farm they get to. The animals are skittish and the new owner is grumpy. Will Chip, Chatti, Twinkle and Bingo be able to figure out what’s going on and put everything to rights?

This sweet chapter book feels like a cross between Beatrix Potter and Little House On The Prairie, as the animals and their human friend solve problems using brainpower, teamwork and honest labor. They learn a lot of valuable lessons, including confidence, the application of trust and the ability to consider a subject from multiple perspectives. Most of all, however, they learn the power of friendship and the value of doing the right thing for its own sake.

I would have absolutely devoured this book as a kid, and am glad that it’s the projected first in a series. Chip and Chatti and Twinkle and Bingo are endearing characters that every kid should have the opportunity to read much more of.

Chip And Chatti Save The Farm by Heidi Paul was published February 18 2025 by Flare Books and is available from all good booksellers, including