Book Description

Cowboy Small takes good care of his horse, Cactus. In return, Cactus helps Cowboy Small get work done on the range. Together they round up cattle for branding and live the good life. At night, Cowboy Small eats at the chuck wagon, sings with his friends, and sleeps under the stars.

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Reviews (5)

Wonderful first story book
My 2-year old son and I just checked "Cowboy Small" out of the library. Couldn't believe my luck in finding this book! This is the first story book that's held my son's interest past the first few pages and all the way to the end and back again, and I mean backwards through every page.

My son is into horses in a big way right now and one of his favorite movies is "The Cowboys" with John Wayne and Bruce Dern. (A few bad parts we skip through.) Amazingly, the book and movie are very similar is many aspects: chuck wagon, sleeping out, campfire, cattle drive/roundup, playing guitar, and breaking a horse in a round pen with the cowboys sitting on the top rail -- right out of the movie!

Lois Lenski's a national treasure. Why didn't I know about him before? And where are the greeting cards and window valances and sheets? Half joking here, but I wouldn't mind getting my son some Cowboy Small sheets when he moves to a big-boy bed. ;)

An old favorite
My son is now 15 years old, but I still remember the many times that I had to borrow Cowboy Small from the local library so we could read about his adventures. We would act out the things that Cowboy Small would do over and over. I am trying to find an original version for Christmas, but maybe this will do.

Yippee! Yippee! Yippee!
I read this book to my two year old, and we both love it! I think he loves it because hearing about a cowboy doing adventurous things probably appeals to the little boy in him, and I love it for the nostalgia (you don't see cowboy cartoons or serials these days), for the beginner education about who cowboys are and what they do, and the simple, clear illustrations.

One word of caution: don't expect to glean any character lessons or underlying meanings from this book. This Lenski book is mostly just factual and fun!

A favorite of a 3 year old cowgirl
This is a classic book that our almost 3 year old daughter loves to look at again and again. She has learned many new words (curry, saddle, spurs, saddlehorn, etc.), has memorized most of the text, and is very attached to anything related to horses. The text is simple, the illustrations are wonderful, and the story is charming. Our daughter has lots of books and this is one that she seeks out from among all the others in her bookshelf. You'll love it too.

My Buckeroo Loves Cowboy Small
My 3-year old got this book for Christmas. He was so taken with it that (of course) we had to read it four times in a row before bed. Then he had to take his stick horse to bed with him in a sleeping bag (or his bedroll, as Cowboy Small would say)and lie on the floor to "look at the stars." The words are simple and the pictures are wonderful. A great book for any little cowboy or cowgirl. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful story for preschool and elementary aged children!
My children (ages 3&4) loved this book! We rented it so much from the local library that it was well worth the money to buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The most interesting twist to Cinderella that I've ever read
This book was without a doubt one of the most enjoyable books that I have ever had the pleasure of sharing with students and teachers alike. I have used this book in numerous workshops that I have taught and have always found a warm delightful reaction to the reading of this book. Students from ages 6 to 12 absolutely love the text and the illustrations. I'm ready for another fractured fairy tale. Keep 'em coming like this!

Absolutely Delightful
Bubba the Cowboy Prince is the most delightful book I have read in a long time. Everyone loves Cinderella stories and this is one that children can relate to. This should be in everyone's library. For teaching purposes, role reversals and compare/contrast can be taught.

A Wonderful revision of the classic Cinderella Story!
My entire family love to read this book. My mother bought it for my son at age 4. When my husband and I read it to our son and daughter the can't help but to laugh and enjoy the story. You can't help but to read the book with a southern/western draw because it makes the story more interesting. I would strongly recommend this for any family to add to their home library.

Bubba the Cowboy Prince
This a great fractured fairy tale. Its fun to read outloud! Every age could like this book.

Our Very Favorite Book - So Much Fun To Read!
Our whole family LOVES Bubba! This is a fantastic, extremely funny twist on the old "Cinderella" tale. The art work is amazing - we delight in the illustrations and the book is just plain fun to read! My daughter adores the fact that Bubba [the "boy" Cinderella in this tale] wants to go to the ball with Miz Lurlene [its a cool change!].

We read this in a Texas drawl [you almost can't help it!] and just have loads of laughs with every re-reading. We originally checked this out of the library on a whim and have since bought our own copy [and will probably be giving copies for birthday presents too!]. This book is money well spent - and one I truly don't mind reading for the 3,000th time! ... Read more

Book Description

Some kids spend their summer vacation at camp. Some kids spend it at Grandma's house. Wallace Bleff spent his out west...on a ride, a rope, and a roundup he'll never forget. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not as much to this story
Nice story about a boy's imagination but not much else to the story. GREAT pictures, as usual by Mark Teague.

Enjoyable and worth purchasing (used in good condition) anyway - as I did.

Has it all
It has it all--a wild story, vivid drawings, great sense of humor. What an imagination!

Start The School Year Off With Mark Teague
This book IS perfect for starting off the school year! Teague is outstanding! When will the guy win a Caldecott? Every book he does is filled with magnificent illustrations and incredible stories! I met him a few years ago in California...what a gentleman...ALL CLASS!

What a wonderful adventure!! My two year old's favorite!
Remember the essay that your teacher always made you write at the beginning of each school year?? "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" is told by the main character Wallace Bleff who stands before the class and weaves an amazing tale of train rides, cowboys, cattle herding and the like while we come along for the ride. (Wallace has quite an imagination.) Loads of fun, beautifully illustrated, and my son's favorite bedtime story. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (10)

What a hoot!
A humorous, well written book about a cowboy and his dog, and the pictures allow the story to come to life. We bought this book for our grandson, but have each already read it a couple of times. Since it's going to be a Christmas gift, we're hoping it doesn't show wear by the time we give it to him. What a combination Adam and Amy make! The art and writing work together as though one is watching a live presentation of the story. We hope to see more from these two, for childrens' enjoyment, as well as our own.

Masterpiece of Mesquite, Mud, Mayhem and Scrub Jays!
An absolutely beautiful book and a pleasure to read from Cover to Cover - literally! Such vivid descriptions, we could smell the desert AND got more than a wiff of that dirty cowboy. It's such a funny story, with great rhythm. The gorgeous illustrations are an absolute hoot to boot with the likes of the cowboy (check out his range of facial expressions!), his dog (crazy western wolf dog but oh-so-lovable), his trusty steed and the extended cast of a multi-eyed grey spider, a saxophone playing fly, a rabbit with clothes pin pinching her nose to keep out the aroma and on and on. What about the bath scenes!? And the fight scene that creates the dust devil which ends in a smudgy rainbow?! Incredible! Amy's words and Adam's illustrations play off eachother with vibrancy and laugh-out-loud humour.

Wonderful, funny book!
This book is highly entertaining and clever. We love it!

A "Must-Have" for any home library!
As a homeschooling mom, this book appeals to all of my children, ages 4-10. As many of the other reviews have stated, the vocabulary and literary style is excellent, the story is very appealing and the illustrations are simply wonderful. Amy Timberlake is a captivating story-teller who has warmed our family's hearts and is sure go far in the writing industry. I look forward to the future writings and illustrations of Ms. Timberlake and Mr. Rex for our homeschool. One more thing...We have given this book as a gift to a few of our friends - this makes a wonderful gift for families!

Dirty Cowboy - should be on every bookshelf!
The Dirty cowboy is a family story that has been handed down to the author, Amy Timberlake. I found it to be well written and loaded with humor. It's evident that this story was written with love and respect for great story telling. It's hard to believe this is Ms. Timberlake's first published work.

The illustrator, Adam Rex has captured Ms. Timberlake's story with accuracy and humor. His illustrations remind me of the early artwork of Norman Rockwell.

This book is not only for the young but the young at heart. Even at the age of 39, this book is a must have on my book shelf! ... Read more

Book Description

Originally published in 1961, Joan Walsh Anglund's Cowboy And His Friend sold 150,000 copies in four languages.Now Andrews McMeel offers a new edition of this timeless story, complete with the author's original illustrations, as a follow-up to our version of The Brave Cowboy, which sold nearly 250,000 copies worldwide when it was first published in 1959.This charming tale about a little cowboy and his imaginary friend, Bear, is illustrated with Anglund's endearing drawings, authentically rendered as they appeared in the original publication, with the boy's "real" world drawn in black ink and his imaginary bear drawn in brown.The story follows the adventures of the adornable little cowboy and his constant companion as they go ice-skating, play football, and take a walk.The characters were inspired by the author's own son, who had a bear as an imaginary friend when he was a young boy. ... Read more

Book Description

How do you tame the roughest, toughest pack of cowboys to ever ride the open range? ... Read more

Book Description

Samantha

When she manages to get herself hired for the cattle drive, all of Samantha's prayers seem to be answered. The hundred dollars she'll earn will pull her family's Texas farm out of ruin and pay off their debts. But keeping the cowhands fooled that she's a boy becomes harder than she'd expected where one cowboy in particular is concerned.

The Cowboy

Matthew Hart wants two things: to forget the tragedies he witnessed on the front lines of the War Between the States, and to reclaim his cowboy life. The last thing he wants is the responsibility of a tagalong youngster on the cattle drive. His closed mind and hardened heart are territory best left unexplored, until a fateful moment turns his world upside down.

Matt discovers what and who "Sam" really is, and he is furious. But soon a stronger emotion takes hold, and bound by Samantha's secret, Matt is torn between revealing her identity and his own sudden and frightening love for her.

Reviews (19)

Good historical romance for teens.
Samantha is a sixteen-year-old girl living in Texas at the end of the Civil War. Her family has no money and she is determined to help them. She diguises herself as a boy so she can work on a cattle drive. She is hired but then she falls in love with Matthew, a young cowboy. He thinks she's just a scruffy young boy. What will happen when he finds out the truth? I love this book, it's great for teens who like historical romances.

AvonTrueRomanceTrue Fan!
Samatha and the Cowboy is my probably my favorite Avon True Romance so far; I've read 9 of the 10 published and ordered the 10 and pre-ordered the 11 and 12.

Samatha Reynolds is an capable and intelligent girl of 16 whose family is in debt like other families after the war. When she sees an add for boys 14 an older to work on a cattle drive, she chops her hair and trades in her dress for a pair of trousers. Sam knows she can handle anything the drive throws at her as well as any boy could, well with the exception of Matthew Hart.
Matt is an attractive 18 year old with an unreachable heart that was closed during the war after the death of many friends. After Matt hires Sam onto the drive without the permission of Jake the trailboss,Sam becomes Matt's responsibility. The last thing Matt needs is the only person he can't help but like playing his shadow.
As the drive goes along Sam and Matt start to get closer, but after a swimming accident he learns the truth about "Sam." Will Matt reveal Sam's identity to the trail boss? Read this book to find out!!!!

very cool
this was one of the best avon true romance books that i have read so far!! i especially like the part where matt finds out that samantha is a girl. boy is he mad at first! (excuse the pun) if you didn't read this book yet i really recommend it.

Go Samantha!
I didn't think this book looked good from reading the first chapter, but it definitely gets better. Samantha's family is having a hard time since her father died and her brother lost his arm in the war. She signs up for a cattle drive, and the adventure begins! She actually makes a band of cowboys think she is a boy. Soon she falls in love with Matt, a fellow cowboy. But she can't say anything, because she's a boy. Eventually Matt finds out she is a girl and gives Sam a run for her money, literally. He threatens to tell on her, which causes a big problem. But everything works out in the end and everybody lives happily ever after.

too-tame bodice-ripper
Avon True Romance presents Harlequin-style fare: beautiful people fall in love at first sight and then must overcome some conflict to be together, the conflict usually being that one of them already has a significant other. In this series, the beautiful people happen to be young adults.
In Samantha and the Cowboy, a southern belle who has spent much of the war supporting her family and doing a man's work disguises herself as a boy and joins a cattle herding expedition to make the $100 her family so desperately needs to get through the coming winter. She falls for the man who hired her against the boss's wishes. Matt distances himself from people because of all the friends he lost in the war, and doesn't take kindly at first to being saddled with a greenhorn, but "Sam" breaks through his reserves.
The stories are predictable, sweet and innocent, but the writing is solid, the covers attractive and the historical details accurate. I don't think any teens will pick these up if they are already avid fans of adult series romance, but younger teens may find them appealing and won't find any objectionable material -- perhaps to their dismay. ... Read more

Book Description

The new "I Want to Be" series is sure to appeal to children andparents alike. With full-color photographs throughout and straightforward,engaging and informative text, they are a great value.

Every child has concepts and dreams about what they want to do when they grow upand adults all remember the black and white books that depicted the life of aveterinarian, policeman or other vocations. This new series is thoroughly modernand colorful. The firefighters, pilots and cow"boys" depicted are women and men.The aircraft and firefighting equipment are the most modern, from water-bombinghelicopters to fighter planes to passenger-carrying jets. The days and nights ofa cowboy are portrayed as the romantic but hard-working life that it is.

Children will enjoy learning about what mom, dad and other adults do at theirjobs. And someday each child will want to choose a job of his or her dreams. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Because of this book I WILL be a cowboy!
I never thought being a cowboy could be so easy. This book shows you step by step how to be a world famous cowboy. I have completly converted. All I listen to now is cowboy music and my belt buckles are twice the size they used to be. I am the hit of the party at all the cowboy bars that I now have VIP cards at. Thank you I want to be a cowboy. You have changed my life for the better! ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the real-life world of working cowboys -- from longhorns and lariats to chuckwagons, chaps, rodeos and ranches.

Here is a spectacular and informative look at the fascinating lives of cowboys from around the world. Stunning real-life photographs of horses and cattle and branding irons and lariats offer a unique "eyewitness" view of life on the range. See what an authentic chuckwagon looks like, how an expert ropes a calf, a rodeo rider in action on a wild steer, how a saddle is made and a Mongolian herdsman lassoing a wild horse. Learn where wild horses and bulls live in France, why cowboys wear Long Johns, how to tame a bucking bronco and why a gaucho decorates his belt with silver coins. Discover how Annie Oakley got her nickname, why an Australian saddle has no horn and how the cowboy's romantic image influenced music and films, and much, much more! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The best cowboy book ever!!!!!!!!!
I like this book on Cowboy (Eyewitness Books) & I think it's a cool book & in this book you can see why what an athentic chuckwagon looks like, how an expert ropes a calf, a rodeo rider in action on a wild steer, how a saddle is made & a Mongolian lassoing a wild horse.

Also learn about where wild horses and bulls live in France, why cowboys wear Long Johns, how to tame a bucking bronco, why a gaucho decorates his belt with silver coins.

You can always discover how the cowboy's romantic image influenced music & films & even much, much more ever!!!!

This book reminds me of a video called "Big Comfy Couch: You Can Do it Molly, Black Beauty book illustrated by Susan Jeffers.

This is the best cowboy book ever!!!!!!!!!!!

This is like a new favorite of eyewitness books ever!!!!

I loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!

Yee-haw for your eyes
DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other cowboy picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful photos of historically cowboy/cowgirl things, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about American cowboys in the old west (along with cowboys from a few other cultures). See photos of real cowboy paraphernelia, clothing, weapons, etc.!

If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated by all things cowboy, then you must introduce them to this book! It's a visual crash course in cowboys, and it's excellent! ... Read more

Book Description

Who was Calamity Jane? Simply a legend created by a popular novelist? Or did Calamity Jane, born Martha Jane Cannary, really live the life she claimed? Doris Faber sorts out fact from fiction to tell the true story of a remarkable American woman who was part of the legend that celebrated the freedom and adventure of the West. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book is an excellent storybook for young children.
The daughter of a wealthy Texas rancher, Farethee Well, uses a black-eyed pea to find her true love. This story is an excellent read-to-me book for children ages 4-9. The story is a parody of the fairy tale, Princess and the Pea. It is full of the language of the West and invites both boys and girls into the story for a lively tale. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Sweet Imagination
I have the 1959 first edition, and it has seen better days. It was read nearly every day and now my children love it too! It is 19 pages and a joy to read. All about a little boy that pretends he's a cowboy. Just a sweet story by a beloved author and illustrator.

Do Things Always Get Better With Age?
Brave Cowboy is one of my childhood favorites (along with Cowboy And His Friend and Cowboy's Secret Life). I have vivid memories of Mom reading me the books and my fascination with the pictures. I received my copy of Brave Cowboy for Christmas in 1961 (I was 2 1/2) and I'm sure my own vivid imagination as a child is part of what made this book about a young boy's imagination resonate with my younger self. The other day Mom asked me if I still had my old copies (a friend wanted to give them to her grandchildren or something to that effect), so I got them out to reread them. The pictures held the same fascination for me now that they did so long ago (and made me wonder if part of my love of Peter Parnall's illustrations had its origin in these simple drawings rendered in two colors), but some elements of the story bothered me. I know the book is a product of the period it was written during (a young child of the time probably knew a lot of what they knew from watching TV and movie Westerns), but the portrayal of the Native Americans in the story bugged my 42 year old self. And Brave Cowboy seems a little flagrant with that toy gun. I am NOT prone to heavy bouts of political correctness. I think it was flawed back in 1959 when it was written. But the pictures in the book are so cool! I think any adult buying this book for a child now should be prepared to deal with these elements. And hope that the other books come back into print since they do not suffer the same problems.

Sweet drawings show wonder of pre-schooler's imagination
Anglund's children are irresistible in any book, but this one shows how a three or four-year-old can use his imagination to become a brave cowboy
in the old West. Reality is shown in black ink
sketches; the imagined scene is in red.I gave
this as a baby gift(for boy babies)many times
until it went out of print and would love to
see it brought back.

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Book Description

In comic-strip format, this action-packed western drama is complete with cattle rustling and kidnapping, a stampede, a holdup, and a thrilling chase. From start to bang-up finish, Calico the Wonder Horse outruns and outsmarts the double-dyed villains -- and, of course, saves the day! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

One of my favorite books!
I can't believe I found it! This was one of my favorite books from when I was in kindergarten. I remember it well. I'm buying it for my 6-year-old daughter tonight.

Calico to the Rescue.....
"Way out west in Cactus County there was a horse named Calico. She wasn't very pretty...but she was very smart. She was the smartest fastest horse in all of Cactus County." She could run like "greased lightning", and she could smell like a bloodhound. "Her nose was so keen she could track a bee through a blizzard." She was owned by a cowboy named Hank, and "...she would go to the end of the trail for Hank. They had a language all their own and understood each other perfectly." Life was good and happy for everyone who lived in Cactus County, no locks, no fences, and no sheriff or jail. But across the Cactus River were the Badlands where the villains of this story lived. And the meanest, sneakiest, absolutely worst bad man of them all was Stewy Stinker. He was so mean, "he would hold up Santa Claus on Christmas Eve if he had a chance." So sit back and get comfortable and see what happened when Stewy Stinker and his nasty gang came to town..... First published in 1941, Calico The Wonder Horse is as fresh and entertaining today, as it was over fifty years ago. This is an old fashioned, action packed, rootin' tootin' western that has it all...cattle rustling, hold-ups, a stampede and kidnapping, a wild and thrilling stagecoach chase, and through it all, Calico comes to the rescue, outsmarts the bad guys and saves the day. Virginia Lee Burton's clever, witty text is dramatic, engaging and full of wild west colloquialisms that will have both kids and adults laughing and cheering at all the fun. Her marvelous comic strip illustrations are expressive and full of detail and beg to be pored over and explored. Put it all together and you have the makings of a timeless classic to share with friends, family and future generations. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Calico The Wonder Horse is a masterpiece and a MUST for every home library.

Who Could Not LOVE This One???
The illustrations of this Wild West comedy saga are just as good as the lively and creative prose. Easy to read in one sitting as a great "before bed" story. The adventure and humor will keep even those with short attention spans listening intently. The ending is perfect!

Buzzard Bates fan
My 2 1/2 year old daughter and I love this book! Best of all, and unlike many of our other favorites, the hero (Calico) is female whose merit is based on her intellect and problem-solving skills. I really like that subliminal message. I'll admit that at first I was a little put off by the artsy "comic book" format, but it grows on you, and I appreciate it more each time I read it. This book and Mike Mulligan are must-have Burton books.

A Symphony in Comics
I am a big fan of Virginia Lee Burton and Calico the Wonder Horse is another example of her great illustrations and story lines. The story is action packed; you laugh, you cry, and you want the good guy to win and live happily ever after. What is interesting about this book is that the color of the pages correspond with the action of the story. It is an all around good read for you and your child. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Yeeha!
This book is fun to read and fun to look at for both the reader and the "readee". The illustrations are wonderfully interesting. The text is fit for young readers, but not boring. A great book to have before or after a visit to the rodeo. ... Read more

Book Description

As he rides through cowboy country, an old buckaroo tells how he became a cowboy, what the work was like in the old days, what it's like now, and what a beginner needs to know. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a good book for children that fantisize about being a cowboy
This book tells what it means to be a cowboy these days, and how not that much has changed sence the open range days. It will give children the idea of what being a cowboy is really about and what it takes to be one. The story has a fun adventure to it that any child would love. ... Read more

Book Description

"The year was 1980. Fifty-two Americans were being held hostage in Iran, and President Carter's efforts to rescue them were not successful ... Ronald Reagan got elected president, John Lennon of the Beatles was shot dead, I drove everyone nuts singing the Doobie Brothers hit 'What a Fool Believes' night and day, and Zayda came to live with us."

And so begins the extraordinary story of how one family, and one young boy in particular, are changed forever when Zayda (Yiddish for "grandfather") comes to live with them. At first the young narrator, Bill, is resistant to all the changes in the house: Zayda spooks his friends, tries to get Bill to speak Yiddish, and demands strange foods like herring.

But as Zayda starts telling Bill and his brother Danny the fascinating story of his life, a story filled with many extraordinary dangers and adventures, the boys begin to see their grandfather in a whole new light. From why, as a young boy, he was forced to flee his Russian village for America to how he eventually became a cowboy, Zayda holds the boys captive with his amazing tale.

Like Zayda's grandsons, young readers -- and their parents and teachers -- will also be entranced by Zayda's saga. While the characters are fictional, Zayda's experiences are historically correct and are a colorful retelling of a fascinating yet little-known time of Jewish-American history.

This book, like Zayda himself -- funny, touching, and memorable -- is destined to be a favorite of Jewish and non-Jewish children alike, teachers, librarians, and educators for many years to come. ... Read more

Book Description

Adults, children, and reviewers have embraced the stouthearted Freddy the Pig since he and his Bean Farm chums first appeared in 1927, andthe Overlook reissues of this classic series-with almost 150,000hardcover copies sold-have brought these timeless adventures to an entirely new generation eager for a good time and a good laugh. As a recent USA Today feature about the Freddy phenomenon noted, the Freddy books brilliantly illustrate the cardinal virtues: "fair play and a good sense of humor."

In Freddy the Cowboy, Freddy buys a pony, learns to ride, and winds up in a tussle with the rascaliest varmint in Centerboro. It seems Mr. Flint, owner of the dude ranch, is plotting to rob the First Animal Bank where the animals keep their valuables. And from there on in Freddy and Flint develop a mutual dislike for one another-so much so that Flint lets it be known he will shoot Freddy on sight! With the aid of a brave mouse, the Horrible Ten, and the Bean Farm gang-not to mention Cy, his trusty mount-Freddy shoots it out with Flint in the aisles of the cosmetics department of the Busy Bee. The Wild West was never like this! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not just a children's classic!
Freddy the Cowboy is one of the funniest books I've read! Freddy's adventures with Cal Flint, the picklefaced cowboy, and attempted riding will keep you in stitches. The farm animals each have their own personalities, some may remind you of a neighbor or brother. The rhymes are great, and you will love the Horrible Ten! Must read! ... Read more