PARENT-CHILD READ ALOUD IS POWERFUL

In this picture book from a father-and-daughter team, two children share a helpful life lesson after explaining the different ways that cows and buffaloes deal with storms.

Jai and Kara point out that Colorado is one of the only places hospitable to both cows and buffaloes. In East Colorado, the land is so flat, you “see all the way to the horizon.” When cows spot “a storm rolling in,” they “gather in a herd and run away.” But because they don’t run very fast, the tempest “quickly overtakes them,” making an escape difficult. Buffaloes handle storms more effectively. They “gather in a herd and run into the storm at full gallop…easier and quicker.” Jai and Kara clarify that while both animals “face the same storm…how they react…makes all the difference.” Like Colorado’s tempests, life’s challenges are inevitable, and the girls suggest: “BE THE BUFFALO!” The Joneses’ short but informative story implores readers to emulate buffaloes’ efficient, head-on technique when confronting their own problems. While some youngsters may be disturbed by the cows’ distress during the storm, older readers may see beyond the literal interpretations and understand how the narrators’ comparisons underscore constructive coping and problem-solving. TullipStudio’s full-color, cartoonish illustrations depict the dark-skinned girls visiting the animals. The Colorado backdrops include trees, mountains, and blue skies. The animals have large, round eyes and animated faces, such as worried expressions when the tempest approaches.

An enjoyable tale emphasizing the importance of tackling challenges with an effective mindset.