Cowboy Boyd and Mighty Calliope

K-Gr 2—Rancher Rose and her hired hands are skeptical when Cowboy Boyd and his unusual mount arrive for a job at the Double R Ranch. As it happens, Calliope is a sensitive and affectionate rhinoceros-though she is not a very good ranch horse. Each task that she attempts ends in failure and, unsurprisingly, the very night that Rancher Rose tells Boyd and Calliope to "roll on," a situation arises where only her unique talents can provide a happy ending. The bright, playful illustrations feature saguaro and tumbleweed, with towering buttes fading into the background and an abundance of wildlife. The figures are expressive and exaggerated and add a great deal of humor to the text. Cowboy Boyd never gives up: "I got a real strong belief in Calliope," and readers can't help but root for the charming rhinoceros with her eager-to-please smile, demure manner, and long dainty eyelashes. Although the plot isn't fresh, the oddball premise and strong setting make this a fun choice for read-alouds and older storytimes, especially for readers who can pull off a good twang.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake, MN