Kick the Cowboy

by Joe Gribnau, Adrian Tans (Illustrator)

Kick is the greatest cowboy in the West. But when his ego swells to the size of Texas, this longhorn-lassoing fella' becomes downright mean. Not even his twenty-gallon cowboy hat can keep his attitude from growing. Kick is so mean that some folks even suspect that his snarl can straighten out a scorpion's tail. Soon enough, all of the other cowboys are itchin' to avoid him.However, there is one person who's not scared of the ornery ol' cowboy. When sweet little Belle loses her puppy, she asks Kick for help. He scowls at her request, and she responds by kicking him square in the knee. The cruel-hearted cowboy stumbles to the ground. As the two face each other eye to eye, the town is shocked by what happens next. Kick, suddenly overcome with guilt, begins to cry. As teardrops plop into the dust, Belle offers her hand in forgiveness, and the bully is given a second chance.

This rodeo of fun will have kids rootin' for Kick as he learns a lesson in kindness. Adrian Tans' striking illustrations are the perfect complement to Joe Gribnau's adorable story, which is told with a Western twang.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2009

Reviews

[Candi Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the funniest read aloud stories you can share with children.