Rodeo Red

PreS-Gr 2—Rodeo Red, a pig-tailed preschooler, tries to save her beloved stuffed dog from the clutches of her baby brother in this Western-style sibling showdown. Red and Rusty are constant companions, but when Sideswiping Slim learns to walk, he quickly claims Rusty for his own. Attempts to rescue Rusty from his kidnapper only set Slim wailing, and the Sheriff and her Deputy (Mom and Dad) side with the enemy, sending Red to a "holding cell" for a timeout. What's a cowgirl to do? Fortunately, the stagecoach arrives with a belated birthday present that just might provide the perfect solution to Red's dilemma. Perkins's lively text is an age-appropriate version of the colorful vocabulary, rhythm, and figurative language of traditional Westerns. Perfect for reading aloud, it will have even the most die-hard Yankee speaking with a Texas drawl. Idle's illustrations convey the wide range of Red's emotional ups and downs while having fun with her cowgirl persona—Mom and Dad sport accessories shaped like a sheriff's badge and entryways resemble swinging saloon doors. Red's solution to her brother's needs demonstrates ingenuity and understanding and offers a satisfying resolution to a common conflict. While the subject matter doesn't blaze any new trails, it's certainly lots of fun.