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32 pp.
| Houghton
| October, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-544-14892-5$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jonathan Bean.
In this hymn to contemporary cowboys, a sentence beginning with "real cowboys..." introduces each new task or scene ("Real cowboys are patient..."). Young cowpokes will appreciate the seriousness given to their passion, an apparent respect shared by Bean's dramatic illustrations. With details that verge on the abstract, each page turn comes as a visual surprise. The book ends with an existential turn.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2017
32 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61783-982-5$18.95
(4)
4-6
Xtreme Rodeo series.
Each book briefly explores a popular rodeo event, explaining procedures, variations, rules, and possible dangers involved; only Barrel Racing depicts an event reserved for women. The writing is bland, but young rodeo fans will be drawn to the rugged, action-packed photos, many with a long exposure to dramatically capture movement. Font superimposed over images contributes to the books' cluttered appearance. Glos., ind. Review covers these Xtreme Rodeo titles: Barrel Racing, Bareback Riding, Bull Riding, and Roping.
148 pp.
| Houghton
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-547-44315-7$17.99
(2)
4-6
Featuring a foreword by world-renowned animal-science expert Grandin, photos from her childhood and adult life, reproductions of her schematic designs for livestock facilities, and inserts on topics ranging from autism to factory farming, Montgomery's biography is full of inspiration and information. This powerful story of one amazing woman's life journey will likely help readers better understand animals and autistic people. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Ashley Waring
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2012
48 pp.
| Enslow
| August, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-4003-8$21.26 New ed. (1997)
(4)
4-6
Courageous Heroes of the American West series.
All originally published under different titles, the updated editions of these brief biographies, written in short, easy-to-read sentences, outline the lives of adventurous individuals who helped shape the American West during the nineteenth century. Black-and-white photographs and drawings add some interest to the text-heavy pages; the lurid cover illustrations are unappealing. There are four other fall 2012 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Courageous Heroes of the American West titles: Bill Pickett, Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Richard King, Sacagawea, and Sam Houston.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Diane deGroat.
Ranch dog Charlie, a lazy basset hound, doesn't run, dig, or jump like his energetic sidekick Suzie. But when the cows start snacking in the farmer's garden, Charlie is right there to shoo them away. This is more an homage to the author's own pet than a story. DeGroat's illustrations capture both expressive dogs' antics. A gratuitous lasagna recipe is included.
48 pp.
| National
| March, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4263-0524-5$18.95
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4263-0525-2$27.90
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Scott Allred
&
Gregory Proch.
This latest How to Get Rich book is a fictitious first-person account of an almost-sixteen-year-old cowboy in the 1870s on his first cattle drive. The text details a stampede, conflicts with farmers and greedy ranchers, and encounters with Native Americans. Illustrations, photographs of real people, journals, maps, ledgers, and other "artifacts" enhance the you-are-there approach. An afterword helps sort truth from fiction. Reading list, websites.
227 pp.
| Delacorte
| April, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-385-73584-1$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-385-90568-8$19.99
(3)
4-6
Libby is excited to be raising calves in preparation for the county fair. It starts out as both a diverting project and a way to prove herself to her family, but along the way she encounters some tough choices. A touching and humorous coming-of-age story with a unique and memorable country setting.
228 pp.
| Front
| November, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-637-6$16.95
(2)
4-6
In 1876 Tennessee, African American Prometheus Jones, thirteen, is wrongly accused of stealing a winning raffle ticket. With his younger cousin Omer, Prometheus escapes with the prize, a one-eyed horse, and sets out to find his father. On the trail, the compelling, brutal realities of cowboy life share space with painstaking character development and vibrant dialogue in this memorable novel.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2009
(4)
K-3
Looking Glass Library: Barnyard Buddies series.
Illustrated by
Todd Ouren.
This series describes the daily lives of various farm animals. Each spread delivers one to three sentences and an additional one or two sentences (in smaller type) that explain the main text further; some awkwardly worded explanations and vague timelines are confusing. The bright, inviting illustrations complement the text well counterbalancing some of the more babyish aspects. Glos., ind. Review covers these Looking Glass Library: Barnyard Buddies titles: In the Cattle Yard, In the Chicken Coop, In the Horse Stall, In the Pig Pen, In the Sheep Pasture, and On the Duck Pond.
243 pp.
| Dutton
| August, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-525-47719-5$16.99
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Kevin Hawkes.
To her usual mix of benevolent ghosts, moldering castles, kind children, and greedy villains, Ibbotson adds a mystery involving a herd of rare cattle. Madlyn and Rollo help their impoverished relatives attract tourists to Clawstone Castle by hiring ghosts to haunt it. The plot becomes somewhat chaotic, but the characters are memorable--especially the ghost with a rat gnawing on his heart.
(3)
4-6
During the middle of the nineteenth century, cowboys who brought longhorn cattle from ranches in Texas to Kansas markets saturated American history with legends, songs, romance, and a strong work ethic. Stanley separates cowboy fact from cowboy fiction, showing readers both the glamour and the hardships of the Long Drive. The account is illustrated with archival photos. Bib., ind.
32 pp.
| Boyds
| April, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-56397-942-X$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Photographs by
Alvis Upitis.
This overview looks at how three Montana ranching families manage their livestock's grazing habits by rotating the herds among several pastures to preserve the environment. The attractive color photos, which depict wildlife, grazing livestock, and the ranchers, would have benefited from some comparison photos showing the environmental damage done without rotational grazing.
32 pp.
| Raintree
| September, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7398-4426-1$$25.69
(4)
K-3
How Do They Grow? series.
Using clear prose, Powell discusses baby animals' habits and needs in these series books. Mention of farm animals' fates as meat and discussion of horn removal, ear tagging, and tail clipping are done in a straightforward manner. The photos are sometimes oddly cropped and framed, but the images of newborn animals will be fascinating. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these How Do They Grow? titles: From Calf to Cow, From Chick to Chicken, From Kitten to Cat, From Lamb to Sheep, From Piglet to Pig, From Puppy to Dog.]
48 pp.
| Carolrhoda
| October, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 1-57505-516-3$$23.93
(3)
K-3
Life on a Farm series.
Photographs by
David Lorenz Winston.
On each type of farm, a young person who lives and works there describes the parts of the operation, including breeding and birth for the animal farms and planting and harvesting for the crop farm. A variety of color photos with captions illustrate the processes covered in the text. Readers interested in farm life will get a good sense of the pleasures and the work involved. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Life on a Farm titles: Life on a Cattle Farm, Life on a Crop Farm, Life on a Goat Farm, Life on a Horse Farm.]
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 1-56239-603-X$$13.95
(4)
K-3
Checkerboard Animal Library series.
In somewhat dry texts, these very basic overviews inform readers about the history, physical attributes, development, and care of these two animals. Double-page spreads pair a brief section of text with large, close-up color photographs. A list of Internet sites is appended in both volumes. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| October, 1998
|
TradeISBN 1-55074-451-8$$12.95
(3)
K-3
America at Work series.
Illustrated by
Pat Cupples.
Using a fictional framework to explore two different types of farms, the book introduces Nick, whose family owns a vegetable farm in Ohio, and his cousin Karin, who lives on a cattle ranch in Nebraska. The simple, informative text and friendly color illustrations follow each farm through a season, identifying the machinery, chores, and workers needed to keep each farm running smoothly.
48 pp.
| Amon
| October, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-88360-091-9$$18.95
(3)
4-6
Smith's candid, action-packed photos of bronc busting, branding, bulldogging, and chowing down by the chuck wagon are paired with historian Worcester's narration (in cowboy photographer Smith's voice) to tell the story of cowboy life in the early 1900s. The result is a well-written picture book history that will appeal to young buckaroos. Glos.