Matthew the Cowboy: An Albert Whitman Prairie Book [Paperback]

Ruth Hooker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1994 | Age Level: 3 and up

After receiving a cowboy suit for his birthday, Matthew takes an imaginary trip out West where he tames a wild horse, solves the puzzle of a mysterious cattle brand, and captures some rustlers.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-- Cowboy books are desperately needed for preschoolers as there has been little new since Steven Kellogg's Pecos Bill (Morrow, 1986). Matthew the Cowboy is sure to win their hearts. When a freckle-faced boy gets a cowboy suit as a birthday gift, he sets off on an imaginary adventure. " 'So long, I'm going out West to be a cowboy,' " he tells his parents. After stocking up on his gear at the general store, he gentles a wild horse; meets Rocky, boss of the Rocky Nine Ranch; and sets off after cattle rustlers. Giving a fresh and lively twist to all kinds of cowboy cliches, Matthew's story fits together handily, and the direct story line incorporates a gentle humor. The ink and watercolor illustrations present a sandy desert tableau with whimsical rabbits, road runners, armadillos, and desert rats. The cowhands include a black man, a pig-tailed white woman, and a bespectacled older fellow. There's lots of expression in form, both for animals and people. A great pairing of story and picture that's bound to rustle up some enthusiasm. --Jacqueline Elsner, Athens Regional Library, GA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807549983
• ISBN-13: 978-0807549988
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,853,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have a toddler who's a cowboy, get this book!, August 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Matthew the Cowboy: An Albert Whitman Prairie Book (Paperback)

There seem to be very few books for toddlers on cowboys. This is the best, and will continue to be even if others are written. Matthew gets a cowboy outfit for his birthday, and then "becomes" (in his imagination) a real cowboy, solving a mystery and capturing the bad guys in a non-violent way (the only "weapon" is a lasso, and the only visible pistol remains in the sherrif's holster). The book is PC: the storekeeper is oriental, and cowhands Slim, Tex, and Pete seem (from the wonderful illustrations) to be a senior citizen, woman, and Afro-American, respectively. My two-and-a-half-year-old son, who believes himself to be a real cowboy, has me read this to him at least twice each night, asking questions about the pictures, and generally being thrilled with it. If you have a toddler who's a cowboy, this is definitely the book for you. (Amazon.com's suggested age range of 4-8 may be about right, but, as I noted, my son is quite a bit younger and ! loves it.)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yeee Haw, January 29, 2003

By 

microjoe - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Matthew the Cowboy: An Albert Whitman Prairie Book (Paperback)

This book is good fun. The illustrations are charming and full of detail, and Matthew really saves the day from the cattle rustlers. He is a smart young hero, and the story helps you learn the names of cowboy gear such as chaps, bridle, spurs, etc. which is a really nice touch by the author. I also enjoyed the little desert creatures that seemed to follow Matthew around.

The story of cows being re-branded has been done before, but of course that does not mean the author borrowed, it is just the same idea. In the Donald Duck story from October 1948 "Sheriff of Bullet Valley" written and illustrated by the great Carl Barks, the rustlers re-branded the cattle over the existing mark.
It is still a fun book, and well worth the very affordable price here at Amazon.com. []

3.0 out of 5 stars disapointed in the condition, August 4, 2010

By 

Claudia Crooker - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Matthew the Cowboy (Library Binding)

The stoy is fine but the condition of the book was very bad, it was filthy and full of stckers, very disapointing!! I had to scrub it with clorox wipes and pull many sticers off.