A Night on the Range

K-Gr 3—Young Cole, attired in cowboy boots and hat, is aimin' to be a cowpoke. With a vivid imagination, he envisions his dog, Bull's-Eye, as his faithful mount; neighbors as mean rustlers; and their dogs as dangerous wolves. Cowboy Cole likes to relax after a hard day in front of the TV, watching Westerns borrowed from the library. Now, however, he's ready for the big time—roughing it by sleeping outdoors in the backyard between the garden and the clothesline. All goes well until it gets dark and chilly. Suddenly, Cole is not sure if he hears an owl or a bandit, sees a rattlesnake or a cricket. He hightails it right back inside, deciding that for now the cowboy life might be better spent in a comfy chair with a large bowl of popcorn. This is an entertaining-enough tongue-in-cheek story that is suitable for sharing. The illustrations have a retro look and are somewhat muted and understated. Created with watercolor and pencil, they are appropriately scary during Cole's experiences outside and satisfying when he's safely back in his own home.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA