The Little Cowboy and the Big Cowboy

by Margaret Hillert, Bradley Clark (Illustrations)

A little cowboy and his father ride horses, round up cattle, mend a fence, practice roping, cook over a campfire, and sleep outdoors in their sleeping bags. Beautifully re-illustrated with a fresh and appealing look, these Beginning-to-Read books foster independent reading and comprehension. Using high frequency words and repetition, readers gain confidence while enjoying stories about every day life and adventures. Educator resources include reading reinforcement activities and a word list in the back. Activities focus on foundational, language and reading skills. Sections include; phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Teacher notes available on website.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Margaret Hillert has written over 80 books for children who are just learning to read. Her books have been translated into many languages and have helped children throughout the world learn to read. She first started writing poetry as a child and has continued to write for children and adults throughout her life. As a first grade teacher, Margaret realized that the books available for students just learning to read were beyond their comprehension. She then began to write her easy readers and poetry for children. Her first collection of poetry Farther Than Far was published in 1969. Her many awards include the Chicago Children's Reading Round Table Annual Award for outstanding contributions to the field of children's literature. Other honors include the David W. Longe Prize and the Michigan Bookwoman of the Year Award. A teacher for 34 years, she is now retired and lives in Michigan where she continues to write stories and poetry.

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the information here on Goodreads states this book was first published in 1950, it was actually first published in 1981. This review is for the 1981 edition. It has since been republished with a different illustrator.

This reads like a parody of children's books:

The little cowboy gets down in here.
And the big cowboy gets down in here.

Illustration shows a small boy getting into a sleeping bag with an older man. They're smiling, both looking at something in the sleeping bag that the reader can't see. Presumably, the man is the boy's father ... which just makes it all the more creepier.

Eew.

Also, referring to horses as "it" might be grammatical, but it's not cool, and not something cowboys tend to do.

The illustrator didn't know much about cowboys. The boy was dressed in a parade outfit, not working cowboy clothes. Cattle ranches in the West have predominantly barbed wire fences, not wooden fences.

So, on the whole -- creepy, borderline offensive, and just plain annoying.

Sleep tight, kids.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerging readers learn what a cowboy does, and also how kids at the age of the story's main character... can do their share of all that matters.

Sometimes optimism is called for, of course.

For instance, lassoing a cow isn't something the little cowboy can do quite yet. However:

"The little cowboy will have to work at it."

SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING GOOD IS POSSIBLE

This upbeat story is brimming with joyful possibilities for life as a grownup. And while reading, little humans -- both cowboys and others -- can grow into readers... maybe without even noticing that they "have to work at it."

FIVE STARS for an encouraging tale, told with the simplest words; yet these words do the job beautifully.

[Leila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cleaning out my library and donating children's books, I came across this book stuck in between others and cannot ever remembering having read it, nor even remembering I owned it. As a children's book, it is great for learning comparisons, but I also loved that it emphasized the importance of working hard and persistence.

[Julee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Hillert's better beginning level readers. The illustrations do a good job to guide the story. The book also includes a word list, author information, and reading reinforcement resources including discussion questions.

[Karissa Butikofer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a cowboy and his dad and all the work they do during the day. This is a cute book!!