Charlie the Ranch Dog [Hardcover]

Ree Drummond (Author), Diane deGroat (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: April 26, 2011 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 440L (What's this?)

Meet Charlie.

He's a ranch dog. Breakfast is his life, especially when bacon is involved. Charlie has dangly ears, floppy skin, and big fat paws. And he loves living in the country. That's because he works like a dog...fixing fences, gardening, and helping his family out on the range.

Yep, it's all work, all the time for Charlie the ranch dog. In fact, he's probably working right now...Zzzzzzz....

A ranch dog's work is never done!

Come along as Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, introduces us to her beloved short-legged pioneer dog named Charlie.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Meet Charlie.

He's a ranch dog. Breakfast is his life, especially when bacon is involved. Charlie has dangly ears, floppy skin, and big fat paws. And he loves living in the country. That's because he works like a dog...fixing fences, gardening, and helping his family out on the range.

Yep, it's all work, all the time for Charlie the ranch dog. In fact, he's probably working right now...

Zzzzzzz....

A ranch dog's work is never done!

Come along as Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, introduces us to her beloved short-legged pioneer dog named Charlie.

A Look Inside Charlie the Ranch Dog
(Click on the Image to Enlarge)

Whew. That was a close call. It’s a good thing I decided to stay home.

Review

“The comic irony of the text will amuse readers, and Charlie’s quirks will win many fans.” (School Library Journal)

“Young readers will chuckle at the unabashed, obvious humor and will especially enjoy finding the hidden, unnamed chipmunk buddy on every page.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Adult readers will recognize in Charlie’s voice the understated humor that has made Drummond’s blog so successful; kids should find it irresistible.” (Publishers Weekly)

“DeGroat’s cozy illustrations picture a beguiling Charlie on a comfortable ranch with appealing accoutrement. An observant chipmunk adds an extra touch of humor, and a lasagna recipe is thrown in for good measure.” (Booklist)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 26, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061996556
• ISBN-13: 978-0061996559
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 16.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (153 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > Farm Life
  • #28 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Farm Animals
  • #95 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Dogs

More About the Author

"I'm a desperate housewife. I live in the country. I channel Lucille Ball, Sylvia Plath, and Ethel Merman. Welcome to my frontier!"

My name is Ree. I'm also known as The Pioneer Woman on my website, ThePioneerWoman.com.

Years ago, after living and working there for several years, I left the great city of Los Angeles . Fleeing a dead-end relationship with a surfer, I planned a much-needed pit stop in my Oklahoma hometown before beginning my new life in Chicago. While home, I met and unexpectedly fell in love with a Wrangler-wearing cowboy whose icy-blue eyes made me forget myself. Before I knew it, I'd canceled my Chicago plans, married the cowboy, and was bearing his children and chasing cows off my porch on his cattle ranch in the middle of nowhere.

Four children and thirteen years later, I still don't know what I'm doing here.

But I do know this: I'm exactly where I belong.

A former vegetarian and food-lover, it was a rude awakening to find out that cowboys don't eat seaweed. They don't eat salads unless they're piled high with ranch dressing, and they certainly wouldn't consider spicy Thai food the height of culinary bliss. They eat meat, lots of meat, with an occasional potato thrown in for balanced nutrition. I stood in my country kitchen and cried, mourning the beautiful things I used to eat. I stared at potatoes with disdain.

Then I picked myself up off the figurative floor, dusted off my apron, and figured if I couldn't beat 'em...I'd join 'em. I jumped right in, teaching myself to cook cowboy-friendly meals. Occasionally, I'd throw in some fresh basil to bring a little of my old life in. I'm still cooking today, and I love it more and more all the time.

Unless the family requests fried calf nuts, and then I start crying all over again.

One morning in 2006, my husband took all four of our small children to work cattle. In my pajamas, I wandered to the computer and started a blog, "Confessions of a Pioneer Woman." What started as a place to post the occasional photo or two quickly became a catch-all for rural stories, bizarre poetry, photography tips, and eventually, my step-by-step pictorial recipes. Now, nearly four years later, ThePioneerWoman.com is still going strong. I love sharing my crazy, silly life with the folks who stop by my site...and I love interacting with them. They're the best people on the internet.

My cookbook, "The Pioneer Woman Cooks", is a natural extension of the cooking section of my website. Using only simple and widely-available ingredients, I share my favorite, classic recipes from my website---along with a good crop of new dishes. I hope you enjoy it. It's homespun, homemade, and very stream-of-consciousness. It's me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for my little guys! April 27, 2011

By Susan W.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I received this book today and immediately sat on the couch with my boys (3 1/2 & 1) to read it. The 1 year old was mesmerized, for 3 pages. Which is 3 times longer than usual with a book he's not allowed to chew on! However, my 3 1/2 year old loved it. He found the chipmunk on every page, and he loved the fact that Charlie napped while Suzie was off doing all the work.

It's not an exciting book, there's not a ton of action and adventure, but from what I have seen from Ms. Drummond's blog, Charlie is not very exciting or full of action. This book perfectly reflects its subject-- a lazy, sleepy, adorable dog.

Definitely recommend it for preschool ages, and it has the potential to become a treasured favorite for kids as they grow up.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars childrens animal book July 21, 2011

By Diane Langmaid

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ordered this book for my 2 year old grandson's birthday. We have a bassett that he calls dog, dog. He recognizes Charlie as the same kind of dog. Both he and his 4 year old brother love having the story read to them. Their mom loves The Prairie Woman and knew she would relate to Charlie since she got our basset when she was 18 and he stays with her family when we travel. Love the illustrations. Would like to see another follow-up book about Charlies adventures.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars cute story... February 2, 2013

By Linda

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I like the book and the illustrations are very cute. My grandkids will get great enjoyment out of the story and the pictures.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great kids book February 1, 2013

By tangowtx

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved that Charlie was exactly like a typical bassett hound. The story was very entertaining to my 7 year old

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My grandson loves this book series January 26, 2013

By Priscilla Merryman

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Due to our affection for basset hounds (we have one darling lone), my grandson loves the book. It's so typical of the characteristics true to bassets. More, please!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love Basset Hounds, you will love this book. If you love dogs in general you will love this book. January 26, 2013

By Terry Lyle

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My wife and I are great fans of the Basset Hound, having had two of our own. Ree Drumnond's "Charlie the Ranch Dog" captures completely the awesome simpleness and devotion of a basset hound. At almost every page we found ourselves saying "that is so true of a basset". It is a great fun read for a children's book...very suitable to adult dog lovers. Diane deGroat's utterly charming illustrations are the perfect compliment to the text...perhaps even enhancing it beyond what it might have been. Overall a fun, feel good, happy book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love, love, loved it! January 22, 2013

By Happy

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gave this book to a very sweet friend for her children. She told me the other day that they absolutely loved the book. How can you go wrong with Ree Drummond!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review January 21, 2013

By Audra Lynn Keene

Format:Hardcover

This book is so cute!! I love dogs and I couldn't resist reading it to my son!!! Buy it~~it's great :)