Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse [Hardcover]

Rebecca Janni (Author), Lynne Avril (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: February 23, 2010 | Age Range: 3 - 5 years | Series: Every Cowgirl | Lexile Measure: 650L (What's this?)

In Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse, Nellie Sue does everything with a western flair. Whether it is cleaning up the animal sty (picking up her stuffed animals) or rounding up cattle (getting the neighborhood kids together for her birthday party), she does it like a true cowgirl. All she really needs is a horse. So when Dad announces at her birthday party, “I got a horse right here for you,” Nellie Sue is excited. But when her horse turns out to be her first bicycle, it will take an imagination as big as Texas to help save the day.

Activities for Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse by Rebecca Janni

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Nellie Sue is a self-described “cowgirl from head to toe,” and all she wants for her birthday is a horse. She gets ready for her party by dressing in riding gear, from a pink cowboy hat to pink chaps. Before the celebration, though, she has to complete her chores, including filling her dog Ginger’s “trough” (his water bowl), and she drops not-so-subtle horsey hints to her parents along the way. After lunch, there is still no horse, but there are johnnycakes—birthday cupcakes—with a herd of her friends. Finally, Nellie Sue gets her present, but it has handlebars and “wheels where hoofs should be.” Although she is disappointed, she trades her cowboy hat for a helmet and discovers that her new “horse” is perfect for riding the trails. This entertaining picture book features a spunky protagonist, whose folksy narrative delivers a supportive message about the rewards of imaginative play and finding unexpected fun. The colorful, animated illustrations, filled with amusing details, set Nellie Sue’s cowgirl-imagined world in familiar, contemporary settings, all touched with plenty of pink. Grades K-2. --Shelle Rosenfeld

Review

"The cover may lure readers into Nellie Sue's pink cowgirl world, but it's her hopeful, unbroken spirit that'll win 'em over." --Kirkus

"Perfect for one-on-one sharing or reading alone, this is a cowgirl story that readers will take to heart." --School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 5 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (February 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525421645
• ISBN-13: 978-0525421641
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.4 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > Farm Life
  • #32 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Horses

More About the Author

Rebecca Janni learned early on that biking was the best way to get around the neighborhood and reading was the best way to get around the world. On a bus ride home from school, Rebecca confided to a friend that she was working on a novel about a girl and her horse. She never finished the novel, but a horse of a different hoof shows up in Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse and Every Cowgirl Needs Dancing Boots, both published by Dutton Children's Books. Rebecca has two more picture books forthcoming and lots of other projects on her desk, including a middle grade novel without any horses. She has a master's degree in English education and has taught high school and college English and creative writing. Today, she divides her time between volunteering, adjunct teaching, and writing -- all of which take a back seat to motherhood! She lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, Greg the Gecko, and a big-hearted dog named Mickey. She loves to read and bike with her family, but not at the same time.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So cute October 12, 2010

By momof3

Format:Hardcover

My husband and I were laughing so hard we were crying when reading this book to our daughters, it is so hysterical & perfect! We get library books often, and buy the ones we can't live without. This is one of them! What a great role model this happy, tough, hard working, big dreaming little girl is.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A sassy cowgirl tale February 23, 2010

By J. Blazanin

Format:Hardcover

This charming picture book features "cowgirl" Nellie Sue who wants a horse for her birthday. She's made all the necessary plans and preparations for the horse's arrival, too. But instead of a horse, she gets a shiny new bicycle. I loved Nellie Sue's spunky personality, Janni's rootin' tootin' writing style, and the wonderful illustrations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for a Cowgirl at Heart January 19, 2012

By M&M

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Our 6 year old is really into horses right now so when Amazon suggested this book at a great price we purchased it for her. It is an adorable book and fun for us to read to her. She enjoys the story which is about a little girl who asks for a horse for her birthday.