Sunday, March 8, 2015

Rodeo Red by Maripat Perkins, illustrated byMolly Idle

ISBN: 9781561458165
About the book: Rodeo Red and her hound dog Rusty are happier than two buttons on a new shirt 'til Side Swiping Slim shows up. Red's sure anyone who hollers that much'll be hauled to the edge of town and told to skedaddle, but her parents are smitten. When Slim sets his eye on Rusty, Red'd better figure out a way to save her best friend in all the world. Can she bargain with a varmint?

My thoughts: This is definitely a cute book and cute story. The text is "cowboynese" with a heaping of tough cowboy slang thrown in. While I prefer books to use correct grammar, I can see the use of this in a story. Obviously, a parent or older reader will need to explain the use of poor grammar and slang to the children. I do object to the use of a "dadburnit" in the story.

The story opens with Red as the lone cowboy on the ranch until a sideswiping Slim (new baby in family) arrives. As Red goes through the adjustment of a baby crying, tugging, crawling, walking, and taking stuff we see the illustration depict the baby and Red also growing physically. But Red simply doesn't want to have her territory or stuff messed with, yet that is simply what babies do. Rodeo Red gets in trouble with the Sheriff (Mom) and Deputy (Dad). But resolution does come.

The book has no teaching how a child can adjust to a newcomer in the family or how to learn to share space and toys. Some might find this a fault. I didn't because I think sometimes our books moralize too much. Red creates her own way to get her prize possession back from Slim without hurting him. Petty creative.

Love the illustrations and character's expressions. Love the growth of the two children as the story progresses. The "jail" is the back of the chair. The illustrated "largeness" of the Deputy when he confronts Red for wrong doing. Just good stuff.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Peachtree Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.

1 comment:

  1. I appreciate your perspective on this book. Thanks for being a part of Booknificent Thursday.
    Tina

    ReplyDelete

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