Whistling Willie from Amarillo, Texas

by Jo Harper, David Harrington (Illustrator)

This cowboy’s whistle packs a wallop! Everybody knows that the Texas Rangers are the roughest, toughest, meanest, leanest good guys around. Willie knows he can be just like them, but all the Texas Rangers see is someone who smiles too much, whistles all the time, and has a belly that’s just too big. Dejected, Willie covers his sadness with a smile and looks for a way to prove himself to the Texas Rangers. His opportunity comes on a July 4th that’s hot enough to fry an egg on a sidewalk. When no-good varmints rustle the town’s cold, refreshing ice cream and soda pop, the Texas Rangers are stumped. But Willie and his whistle just might save the day!

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 30, 2014

About the author

Jo Harper grew up in the Texas Panhandle riding horses and eating jalapeño peppers. She comes from a long line of Texas tellers, and is herself a dynamic storyteller, especially of tall tales. Her books, some of which are co-written with her daughter,range from baby books to young adult novels.Her young adult novel, DELFINO'S JOURNEY, won the Western Heritage Wrangler award. PRAIRIE DOG PIONEERS won the Willa Award. OUTRAGEOUS, BODACIOUS BOLIVER BOGGS was an A.B.A. Pick of the List book and was presented on PBS Storytime. JALAPENO HAL was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, as was I COULD EAT YOU UP! She has taught for many years at all levels, first grade though college. She presents to all grade levels, and her lively, entertaining programs subtly teach reading and writing skills as well as values. She received a NEH grant to study the fusion of visual and verbal art at Columbia University. She also studied in Spain and Mexico.Her books include fiction, biography, tall tales, and history, and are set in Texas and Mexico.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whistling Willie doesn't look like a cowboy, but in this folk tale that reminded me of Pecos Bill, Willie proves everybody wrong. I enjoyed the pictures, and the story was all right.