Saturday is National Day of the Cowboy

National Day of the Cowboy is a day to pay homage to our cowboy and western heritage, as well as to honor working cowboys and cowgirls, rodeo athletes, western musicians, cowboy poets, western artists, ranchers and all others who continue to contribute to the cowboy and western culture in America today. The day is set for the fourth Saturday in July after being proclaimed by the US Senate in Resolution 138 for the first time on July 23, 2005. This year we celebrate National Day of the Cowboy on Saturday, June 25.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Timberlake, Amy.

The Dirty Cowboy.
2003.
Farrar, Strauss & Giroux.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

After he finds a tumbleweed in his chaps and the numerous bugs buzzing around him affect his hearing, the cowboy decides it’s time to head to the river. Once there, he peels off all his clothes and tells his trusty old dog to guard them against strangers. He takes a refreshing bath and emerges clean as corn – but so fresh-smelling that his dog doesn’t recognize him! Negotiations over the return of the clothes prove fruitless. A wrestling match ensues in a tale that grows taller by the sentence, climaxing in a fabric-speckled dust devil.

This is a really funny story! Kids will love it! If you have children who are hesitant about bath time (at an older age) this would be a perfect story to read with them!

Teague, Mark.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation.
1997.
Random House Children's Books.
Guided Reading Level: I

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Some kids spend their summer vacation at camp. Some kids spend it at Grandma's house. Wallace Bleff spent his out west...on a ride, a rope, and a roundup he'll never forget.

This book is really quite funny! Kids will love the tale to be told, and it's great that it's told as Bleff's point of view as a writing assignment about how he spent his summer vacation. Oh, what his class must think! It's definitely worth of a read!

Scieszka, Jon.
Cowboy and Octopus.
2007.
Penguin Group.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Peanut butter and jelly. George and Martha. Frog and Toad. Cowboy and . . . Octopus? Yes, that's right. Meet Cowboy and Octopus-the next great pair to become a household name. Cowboy likes beans'n'bacon and bacon'n'beans. Octopus eats raw seafood. Octopus prefers knock-knock jokes, but Cowboy doesn't get them. How will these two ever be friends?

I'm not quite sure what to make of this one... It's got some humor in it that was sort-of funny, but I'm not even sure kids would understand the humor... I think your best bet might be to pass this one by, or at least examine it for yourself first and then decide whether or not it's appropriate for you children.

And particularly for the girls!...

Silverman, Erica.
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Rain or Shine.
2009.
Houghton Mifflin Company.
Guided Reading Level: J

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

In book four of this award-winning series, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa gear up for lots more fun and a little stormy weather.

This is the first book I've read in the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series, but I'm sure it won't be the last! What's great about this series is that the books don't necessarily need to be read in the order that they were published. They work just fine as stand-alone titles, which is perfect for beginning readers who can't wait to get their hands on another book in the series and don't want to wait for the next one in order! This particular title allows readers to see that (as long as their parents give approval) there's fun to be had in rainy weather!

Silverman, Erica.
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Horse in the House.
2009.
Houghton Mifflin Company.
Guided Reading Level: J

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

In this fifth book in the series, Cocoa nudges his way right into Cowgirl Kate's house. He pokes his head through every doorway and finally decides to live in the best stall of all--the kitchen. What's a cowgirl to do? Well, whether under one roof--or two--there's no doubt these buckaroos will be pals forever!

This is only the second book I've read from the series, but I'm definitely glad to have been able to add it to my collection! I love that is shows a less feminine side of little girls - girls need to be able to see that it's okay to enjoy the more masculine, boyish activities - such as acting as a cowgirl! What's more? They're sure to love the mischief Cocoa causes in Cowgirl Kate's house as he tries to find a stall better than his own!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.

Mark Teague's Birthday

It's Mark Teague's Birthday today, so I've got some reviews of several of his books. Here's a few trivia facts for you, as well though!

• Mark Teague lives in upstate NY (very close to home for me, as I'm in central NY).
• He is an illustrator of award winning books (How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?)
• His books tackle common childhood fears and challenges.

Teague, Mark.
Pigsty.
1994.
Scholastic Inc.: New York.

Ages: 4-8
Genre: Fiction
Guided Reading Level: M

Summary/Review:

Wendell, a young boy, just will not clean his room - he doesn't mind living in a pigsty, he reiterates to his mother. However, when the pigs start showing up in his pigsty, he begins to reconsider. Sure, they make for fun playmates, but they really make the pigsty more piggish! Wendell finally can't stand the mess anymore and decides to clean his room, but first, he enlists the help of the pigs who have moved in. Once the room is all cleaned up he sends the pigs packing, deciding they ultimately do belong on the farm, but promises to invite them over from time to time to play and have fun.

This is a humorous story that children are sure to love! It also would be a good teaching tool for introducing students to the idea of proverbs, as Wendell remembers a saying he once heard, "many hooves make light work." This proverb is what inspired him enlisting the help of all the pigs and their hooves to clean the room!

Lesson Plans/Book Activities:

• Teaching Proverbs
• Proverbs: An Introduction
• Proverbs
• Proverbial Picture Pages

Teague, Mark.
Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School.
2002.
Scholastic, Inc.: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-10
Genre: Fiction, Writing Letters
Guided Reading Level: L

Summary/Review:

Ike has been sent to obedience school and is not happy about being there! He hates it so much, he goes as far as trying to be sent home, faking illnesses and writing letters to his owner, Mrs. LaRue.

From my own personal experience, kids love this story. It's humorous and the letters have the kids seeking more! Luckily, Ike LaRue has now become a series! Check out some of the other books in the series below!

Other Books in the Mrs. LaRue series:

• LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign Trail
• Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from the Investigation

Teague, Mark.
The Field Beyond the Outfield.
1992.
Scholastic, Inc.: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-12
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Guided Reading Level: L

Summary/Review:

Ludlow's parents have had enough of his fantasies and day-dreaming. They feel that if he's involved in something, he won't have so much time to imagine things, so they sign him up for baseball. Ludlow goes along with his parents' wishes but his daydreaming continues! He plays so far back in the outfield, he joins another baseball game as well as his own- a game played by monsters. His lack of action on the ball field enabled his imagination in new ways and Ludlow goes to bed that night, not worrying about the monsters that may or may not be in the closet!

This is a clever story that I'm sure will capture the attention of children who have a vivid imagination. Baseball players will also be drawn in by this title by Teague!