Armadillo Rodeo [Paperback]

Jan Brett (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

When Bo spots what he thinks is a "rip-roarin', rootin'-tootin', shiny red armadillo," he knows what he has to do. Follow that armadillo! Bo leaves his mother and three brothers behind and takes off for a two-stepping, bronco-bucking adventure. Jan Brett turns her considerable talents toward the Texas countryside in this amusing story of an armadillo on his own.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Brett (The Wild Christmas Reindeer; Trouble with Trolls) here gives her trademark, exquisitely detailed art a Western flair as she sets this endearing tale "deep in the heart of Texas hill country." "Don't go gettin' distracted on me," a mother armadillo cautions Bo, one of her four young 'uns. Undeterred, the ever-curious Bo follows a lizard down to the creek just as young Harmony Jean slides down the bank, trying to scuff up her brand-new "pointy-toed, high-heeled, hand-tooled chili-pepper red boots with fancy cutwork, tall tops, and a Curly H brand." Bo (who, like all armadillos, can't see very well) mistakes the boots for a shiny red armadillo, whom he greets with a friendly "Howdy." Impeccably reproducing the design, stitching and trims of Western clothing, border panels follow Bo's brothers and Ma as they search for their weak-eyed wanderer. He, meanwhile, is having the time of his life at the Curly H rodeo, where he rides on the back of Harmony Jean's horse, munches on a jalape?o pepper under a table and kicks up his heels at a barn dance-all in the company of his new "friend." The high-spirited hero and action-filled art will please the author/artist's many fans. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?Every icon associated with Texas mythos is incorporated into Brett's latest picture book: boots and spurs, cactus and bluebonnets, barrel racing and bull riding, Bar-B-Q and hot peppers, and...armadillos! Weak-sighted Bo, a baby 'dillo, mistakes one of Harmony Jean's new red boots as a potential friend and follows it throughout a busy day, while his ma and brothers search for him in all the wrong places. By day's end, Bo has ridden horseback, sampled the jalape?os, two-stepped at the barn dance, and been rescued by his mother. Brett's distinctive style shines in these joyous pictures filled with the excitement and fun of a day at the rodeo. Each double-page spread is framed by a lariat and decorated with side vignettes of tooled leather depicting offstage events. A delightful addition to the artist's canon.?Ruth Semrau, formerly at Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142401250
• ISBN-13: 978-0142401255
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 10.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Brett, Jan
  • #45 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Where We Live > Farm Life
  • #64 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > Farm Life

More About the Author

Jan Brett is the author of the New York Times bestselling Gingerbread Friends, The Three Snow Bears, and The Mitten, as well as many other classics. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book I have the most fun reading aloud to my 7-year old!, May 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Armadillo Rodeo (Hardcover)

My sister, a nearby neighbor of Jan Brett's, discovered this book and sent it to my then 5-year old son for his birthday. Bo's nearsighted adventures entertain; and his being lost and not knowing he's lost delights my son. Most children will envy Bo's adventure to the rodeo and understand his curioisity. Having developed quite the Texas "accent and attitude" while reading this book, it's at the top of our list of all-time favorites. Thank you Jan Brett!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book this Texas girl loved!, March 27, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Armadillo Rodeo (Hardcover)

In my opinion, this is one of Jan Brett's best. Her thorough research aided in her creating a book my second grade, rural,Texas students really enjoyed reading. So much media gives a distorted view of Texas life. This book gave a picture that my kids could relate to. Bo, the armadillo, searched for adventure in a setting that truly depicted our Texas countryside, from the prickly pear cactus to the bluebonnets. Bo's troubles finding a friend made the children laugh and want to read to find out what would happen next. I plan to use this book in my classroom for many years to come

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting adventure story for young children., June 21, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Armadillo Rodeo (Hardcover)

Bo is a lovable Texas armadillo who longs for adventure. Because he is near sighted, he mistakes a cowboy boot for a fellow armadillo. Together they romp through the Texas countryside. All the while, Bo's mother is looking for her missing son. You'll love reading about Bo's adventures. I attended a luncheon at which Jan Brett described how she went about writing this book. She and her husband went to Texas and researched the region and life style. Hearing her story of the background search greatly enhanced my pleasure in reading this book to my first grade students.