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
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
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
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