This is a knee-slapping, rootin’-tootin’ Wild West version of the classic Cinderella tale. Joe Cinders, known as step-skunk to his three lazy brothers, does all the chores on their western ranch after his ma and step-pa “got swept away in a gully washer.” But he still has his dreams—dreams that include Rosalinda, the richest and prettiest rancher in the region. When a letter arrives inviting the Bronco boys to a fall fiesta at Rosalinda’s ranch, Joe doesn’t even dare to hope that he can go. He’s too busy with the chores, which include toting water for the brothers’ once-a-year baths. That night, Joe is left alone to watch over the herd . . . and comes face-to-face with a mysterious stranger wearing a serape and huge sombrero. The man waves his magic stick and allows Joe to go to the fiesta dressed as a dapper cowboy and driving a new red pickup truck. Joe arrives at the fiesta just in time to save everyone from an escaped bull. Thus, he captures the attention of Rosalinda, who will dance with no one else. During his midnight escape, Joe catches his foot in a prairie dog hole and leaves his red boot behind. In the end, Rosalinda gets down on one knee and proposes to the thrilled young cowboy. The two transform her ranch into the Red Boot Ranch where the three Bronco boys each have a hysterically clever job title, and the couple regularly entertain the mysterious stranger who made all their dreams come true. Mitchell’s marvelously funny details, western words, and classic fairy tale base combine to make this a sure winner with readers of all ages. Langdo’s illustrations hit the mark and add to the appeal of the storyline. Many are sure to get a laugh even without the story—one of the brothers walks around in his red union suit, complete with the flap in the back. Mitchell is sure to accomplish her goal of “roping in readers” with this winner. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-8050-6529-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts.
In this latest slice in the Food Group series, Humble Pie learns to stand up to a busy friend who’s taking advantage of his pal’s hard work on the sidelines.
Jake the Cake and Humble Pie are good friends. Where Pie is content to toil in the background, Jake happily shines in the spotlight. Alert readers will notice that Pie’s always right there, too, getting A-pluses and skiing expertly just behind—while also doing the support work that keeps every school and social project humming. “Fact: Nobody notices pie when there’s cake nearby!” When the two friends pair up for a science project, things begin well. But when the overcommitted Jake makes excuse after excuse, showing up late or not at all, a panicked Pie realizes that they won’t finish in time. When Jake finally shows up on the night before the project’s due, Pie courageously confronts him. “And for once, I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.” The friends talk it out and collaborate through the night for the project’s successful presentation in class the next day. John and Oswald’s winning recipe—plentiful puns and delightful visual jokes—has yielded another treat here. The narration does skew didactic as it wraps up: “There’s nothing wrong with having a tough conversation, asking for help, or making sure you’re being treated fairly.” But it’s all good fun, in service of some gentle lessons about social-emotional development.
A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780063469730
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Continuing to find inspiration in the work of Virginia Lee Burton, Munro Leaf and other illustrators of the past, Long (The Little Engine That Could, 2005) offers an aw-shucks friendship tale that features a small but hardworking tractor (“putt puff puttedy chuff”) with a Little Toot–style face and a big-eared young descendant of Ferdinand the bull who gets stuck in deep, gooey mud. After the big new yellow tractor, crowds of overalls-clad locals and a red fire engine all fail to pull her out, the little tractor (who had been left behind the barn to rust after the arrival of the new tractor) comes putt-puff-puttedy-chuff-ing down the hill to entice his terrified bovine buddy successfully back to dry ground. Short on internal logic but long on creamy scenes of calf and tractor either gamboling energetically with a gaggle of McCloskey-like geese through neutral-toned fields or resting peacefully in the shade of a gnarled tree (apple, not cork), the episode will certainly draw nostalgic adults. Considering the author’s track record and influences, it may find a welcome from younger audiences too. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-399-25248-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2009
SEEN & HEARD
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