The Tumbleweed Came Back

by Carmela LaVigna Coyle, Kevin Rechin (Illustrator)

When a pesky tumbleweed drops in for lunch one day, hilarity ensures. What starts out as a small problem, turns into a giant conundrum as one tumbleweed turns into thousands! The story's infectious rhythm is brought to life by colorful, funny illustrations. The combination makes for a rollicking read aloud book for parents and grandparents, teachers and caregivers!

Genres: Picture Books, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Carmela LaVigna Coyle's first book, Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? is enjoyed by little princesses everywhere. And now there are several Do Princess titles to choose from. She writes from her studio in Colorado with a puppy on her lap, and beside a wall of glass "to better see the seasons."

Carmela wrote her first story, "Forget-Me-Not," when she was ten-years-old. She hasn't forgotten it... she just can't find it.

She's married, and has two fabulous college age children.

Carmela has a degree in Elementary Education.

Reviews

[High Plains Library District · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just had to laugh when I saw the title of this book! Those durn tumbleweeds just won't go away and stay away. Colorado author, Carmela LaVigna Coyle, hit the nail on the head with this one. Living in Colorado, she would know about those pesky things!

No matter how hard the characters in the book tried, the tumbleweeds just kept coming back. They put them in a trunk and sent them down the river. They tied them to balloons and sailed them away into the sky. They even sent them into space! Oh those pesky, sticker-y tumbleweeds!

Delightfully busy illustrations and funny rhyming text will make this a favorite read-aloud. Share this book and the family will be giggling the next time they see thousands of tumbleweeds tucked up against the neighbors fence after a windy day!

~Jan

[Rio Nuevo · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a pesky tumbleweed drops in for lunch one day, hilarity ensues. What starts out as a small problem, grows into a giant conundrum as one tumbleweed turns into ten, then twenty, then thousands! Granny and her two lively grandchildren do their best to rid their farm of the scratchy menaces, but the harder they try, the more the tumbleweeds take over. The text's infectious rhythm is brought to life by colorful, funny illustrations. The combination makes for a rollicking read that will have children and parents rolling around with laughter.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really funny story about tumbleweeds always returning no matter how much we try to stop them from doing so. If kids are unfamiliar with tumbleweeds, this is a great way to introduce them to the idea in a comical and fun story. I liked that each page rhymes, although the meter isn't always consistent, and that was problematic for me considering the book for a read aloud setting. However, the pictures are funny and the story is original, which makes it a great selection in my opinion!

[Thea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and smiled ear to ear when I read this richly illustrated tale of how The Tumbleweed Came Back! Such a delightful adventure. I loved that it takes place in a farm setting and that the kids are with their retro Granny trying to figure out what to do about the tumbleweed problem! Each page is filled with imagination and innovation and shows that there just might be a creative solution to the Tumbleweed invasion...or not! So cute for kids of all ages.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50 Stars The tongue in cheek part of this story is worth a bit of a laugh!! Did it ever occur to them that they are new tumble weeds and not the old ones coming back. I like they used a train, drowning them in chest the Rio Grande, rocketing them into space, and my personal favorite...time travel to the future. A good chuckled with silly funny pictures! And if you live in a place like I do that gets tumble weeds....you wonder are these new are old ones coming back!! LOL

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. A rhyming story that feels good to read aloud. My first thought was that my suburb is very urban as I don't think I've seen a tumbleweed in years. However, I loved that this is a Colorado author and the illustrations will make this fun for kids.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

rhyming story that highlights two children's plan to get rid of the tumbleweeds. hilarious ending, funny solutions. teaches problem solving and creative thinking.