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Cowboy Car

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A little car with a big dream…

Ever since Little Car was knee-high to his daddy’s hubcaps, he’s wanted to be a cowboy. Cowboys get to drive the range, wear big hats, and sleep under the stars. Everyone tells Little Car that cars can’t be cowboys, but he can’t stop dreaming of rounding up lil’ dogies by day and talking around the campfire at night. So Little Car packs his trunk and heads Out West. Vroom! Can he prove he has what it takes to be a true cowboy? Join Little Car as he zooms into the hearts of kids everywhere.

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2017

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About the author

Jeanie Franz Ransom

10 books22 followers
Jeanie Franz Ransom is a children's picture-book author and former elementary school counselor with a penchant for puns and a fondness for fractured fairytales. Her books include the award-winning "What Really Happened to Humpty?" and "The Crown Affair," and her newest title, "Cowboy Car."

Jeanie also writes self-help books for kids and the adults in their lives, including "Don't Squeal Unless It's' a Big Deal: A Tale of Tattletales," "Big Red and the Little Bitty Wolf: A Story About Bullying," and "There's a Cat in Our Class: A Tale About Getting Along."

Jeanie divides her time between St. Louis, MO, and Northport, MI, and is a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and conferences. To et updates on Jeanie's books and special events, follow her on Facebook.com/JeanieRansomAuthor, or visit www.jeanieransom.com..

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5 stars
41 (39%)
4 stars
25 (24%)
3 stars
27 (25%)
2 stars
10 (9%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews
698 reviews11 followers
April 14, 2017
Great book!

Marissa my 7 year old granddaughter said to give it five stars because she loved it. That about says it all. If I may make one suggestion I think the print should have been a little larger. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Amy Archibee.
2 reviews
April 11, 2017
I won a copy of this book through a giveaway. The book is a cute story with a follow your dreams theme. There were plenty of puns in the book that would definitely be missed by children, but their parents will certainly appreciate them. I am looking forward to reading this book to the children I work with over and over again.
Profile Image for Shelle Perry.
481 reviews30 followers
May 7, 2017
I actually won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway, which is one of my favorite ways to get a new book.

"Ever since he was knee-high to his daddy's hubcaps, Little Car wanted to be a Cowboy."

And of course everyone told him that a car couldn't be a cowboy. This is a timely tale of a young car with big dreams who refused to believe that he didn't have what it takes to achieve his dreams. Hard work and perseverance will always win out other people's definitions of what is possible. As inspiring as Little Car is, the artwork is what caught my attention first with this book and it is sure to be what draws in young ones as well. Lively, colorful illustrations, that take me back to my own childhood with a nod to the great artwork of kid-lit greats like Curious George, keep the story moving along. Little ones will delight in following along Little Car's adventure as they watch him master the skills of a cowboy with his determined expression and his ten gallon hat.
Profile Image for Melanie H..
3,703 reviews39 followers
August 4, 2017
Little Car grew up on the streets of the big city. But when he grows up he wants to live in the Ol' West and be a Cowboy Car! His parents don't agree. His mother wishes he would settle down and be a family car; his father wanted Little Car to follow in his footsteps and become a city taxi. But Little Car was bound and determined. When he got bigger, he packed his trunk and headed west.

But when he gets out west he finds that one of the requirements of being a cowboy is being able to ride a horse. Good thing the cowboy he meets is willing to give him a try. The next day at the ranch he shows the Rancheros what he can do. Little Car is so helpful that they invite him to the rodeo the next day. But Little Car can only watch at the rodeo because he can't ride a horse. But when the bull that bucks off a cowboy needs distracting: Cowboy Car to the rescue!

A fun storytime story that discusses not limiting yourself to what others expect and want from you.
Profile Image for Patricia Tilton.
294 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2017
This book will be a winner with kids! Little Car knows he’s destined for greater things.  He is determined to pursue his big ambition of becoming a cowboy.  They will laugh when Dusty asks him to move a big bales of hay and Little Car ends up beneath the pile. But when Dusty is thrown from a mean bull at a rodeo, Little Car struts his stuff with a big VROOOMMM and drives off to help his friend. The ending is endearing. Jeanie Franz Ransom’s text flows nicely, with fun wordplay (brake dancing) and excellent pacing.  Ovi Nedelcu adds to the excitement of Little Car’s big adventure with his colorful, expressive and zany illustrations, which will quickly draw children into this entertaining story.
Profile Image for Cheryl .
9,048 reviews391 followers
August 25, 2022
Sorry, I think I might be judging this cute book too harshly. But I really wanted Little Car to be a cowboy, not somebody who just happened to have the opportunity to save a cowboy's life. Remember when the father in the book said 'no you can't keep this stray dog because we can't afford it and besides mom is allergic' but then the dog saved the kid's life and therefore they somehow manage to keep the dog? Yeah, we don't need that cliché.
437 reviews21 followers
May 9, 2017
A story about being anything you want to be.

A little car wants to be a cowboy while everyone tells him he can't be for one reason or another. One day they finally acknowledge that he his a cowboy.
This book had a few things that I didn't like about it but it's a cute story for a transportation study or for little ones who love cars.
Profile Image for Kim.
53 reviews
May 9, 2017
Very cute book. My grand kids love it! Thank you
Author 1 book46 followers
May 10, 2017
Even cars can be cowboys, as is proven in this book. The bright colors and cartoonish illustrations will entice young readers and the silly, cowboy text will keep them reading.
786 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2017
I wanted to like this book more than I did. While the storyline was cute as a car pursues its dream of being a cowboy, the written itself was not captivating/engaging.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
4,690 reviews9 followers
October 17, 2020
not afraid to say i got this book from KU just because of that car's face on the front cover. so cute. great illustrations. will make you smile. great read. well done. must read.
Profile Image for Donna Mork.
1,787 reviews7 followers
December 1, 2020
This was a sweet book about a little car who wanted to be a cowboy. Lots of car and cowboy related puns throughout make this a fun read. Sweet ending.
Profile Image for Sheila.
15 reviews5 followers
November 14, 2017
I received this book as part of a giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to provide a review.

My granddaughter loved this story! A cute story about a city car who dreams of being a cowboy. Wonderful picture, great storyline, a great book for preschool children.
Profile Image for Kristin.
363 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2017
Wonderful!!

Super cute and a great story about following your dreams against all odds. Cute illustrations and I liked some of the phrasing. Little car "grinned from gear to gear"!!

***I won a free digital copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway***
61 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2017
Dream big Little Car....

This is a sweet,charming story of a little car dreaming of a life on the wide open range. While I don't have children I imagine this would be a nice choice for a bedtime story. The illustrations are fantastic, with a genuine sense of humor.
I completely enjoyed this story.
25 reviews3 followers
April 18, 2017
My three year old niece loved this and had me read it to her at least three times. She really liked the part with the bull and after reading had to go through the house pretending to be one.
I received this for free from a Goodreads giveaway.
Profile Image for Desmond.
56 reviews18 followers
April 11, 2017
Not very original, but my 4 and 6 year old siblings loved this book so much that they demanded an encore. I decided to rate Cowboy Car based on their reactions rather than my expectations.

The book has a great theme centered around overcoming adversity. It provides an opportunity to talk about striving against criticism and bias. Regardless of the self-aware car cliché, the message is one that all kids deserve to hear more of.
Profile Image for Kellee Moye.
2,416 reviews427 followers
April 30, 2017
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...

What a cute story about following your dreams even when everyone doubts you! This is a message that is so important to share with kids because throughout their life there are going to be those who doubt them; however, I want Trent to know that as long as he works hard, wants something enough, has a good plan, is realistic about speed bumps ahead, and goes for it, he can live his dream. This is a theme that is found in picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, and young adult novels because kids need to be reminded of this. Life shouldn’t be about what others expect of you but what YOU expect for you. Little Car embodies this message by doing something that everyone doubted he could do and he did it his own way. I know this story will be one that teachers and parents will want to share with their kids (and their kids will love it because who doesn’t love cars and cowboys!).
Profile Image for Laura.
3,183 reviews316 followers
April 16, 2017
This cute little buckeroo made me smile.
I had to read it direct from the cloud which gave me beautiful color illustrations to enjoy.
This would be a book I would not mind reading over and over.
Profile Image for Ricki.
Author 2 books101 followers
April 17, 2017
A car that dreams of being a cowboy! This was a fun story to read with my boys. The illustrations are quite charming, and the main character made me smile. He refuses to give up, despite the obstacles he faces. My three-year-old asked a lot of great questions while we were reading the book, and we were able to talk about the car's perseverance. I particularly liked all of the puns in the book. While the puns were completely over my sons' heads, it made the reading even more enjoyable for me. This book has a theme that we constantly try to relay to our students---not to give up despite what the world throws at you. It would be a great addition to any classroom.
Profile Image for Sara Huizenga.
2 reviews22 followers
April 17, 2017
Cute story

Fun book - 4 year old enjoyed it, but did not ask to have it read to her once more/again.
Profile Image for Vicki.
4,511 reviews16 followers
April 18, 2017
Very cute pictures, the story is a bit far fetched for me, but written in a fun style.
173 reviews
April 22, 2017
5/5 super adorable kids book. I wanted to read it as the picture on the cover was so cute. Great book on a very unique topic - and clever, too. Reminded me of the film Cars, for obvious reasons. Great illustrations, too!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews

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