Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

March 1, 2005
K-Gr 2 -Kate is a "cowgirl from the boots up," and Cocoa is her loquacious and irascible equine companion. Together they share four amiable adventures in this easy chapter book. Beginning readers learn how the cowhorse was acquired and, in the process, discover that Kate is subtly clever and Cocoa is a bit of a slacker. The stories that follow include a disappointingly inedible surprise for the horse, a test of wills and devotion while cowherding, and a sleepover in the barn that dexterously reveals their mutual affection. Simple sentences and lots of repetition make these tales accessible, while occasional cowpoke vocabulary establishes the locale. Both horse and girl have well-developed personalities that weather the ups and downs of friendship. While the narrative is somewhat lacking in excitement, the genial humor and feisty horse have child appeal. Strong black lines lend rustic solidity to the watercolor illustrations that are generously distributed throughout the text. With additional adventures in the works, this affable duo augments Cynthia Rylant's popular people-and-their-pets pairings (Henry and Mudge, Mr. Putter and Tabby) and welcomes new readers to their home on the range." -Carol Ann Wilson, formerly at Westfield Memorial Library, NJ"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2005
PreS-Gr. 2. Set on a cattle ranch, this warm, beginning chapter book tells four spirited stories about young cowgirl Kate and her beloved talking horse, Cocoa. Young children will see themselves in both characters. In several episodes, for example, Cocoa puts off cow herding and even bedtime by employing a preschooler's procrastination techniques, such as asking for food and for water. Children will also recognize the friends' good-natured banter and lively dialogue as they negotiate their days together, in the barn and on the range. Lewin's bold-lined illustrations extend the comedy and the affectionate friendship with expressive animal characters reminiscent of her work in the Caldecott Honor Book " Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type "(2000). A fine choice for reading aloud to small groups or for confident new readers to tackle on their own.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2005
Readers moving on from the Henry and Mudge series will be able to read these simple chapters, but they are apt to be disappointed. In the slight depiction of a friendship, Kate and her horse talk to each other as Kate tries to coax Cocoa into behaving the way a cowhorse should. Lewins cheery watercolors are the strong point here.

(Copyright 2005 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)