Sixteen Cows [Hardcover]

Lisa Wheeler (Author), Kurt Cyrus (Author)

Book Description

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

Cowboy Gene loves his eight cows, and Cowgirl Sue loves her eight cows, and both of them like the fence that keeps their pastures--and cows--apart. But then a tornado blows through and takes the fence with it. The cows are mixed up, and Sue and Gene are in a muddle. Will they ever be able to figure out whose cows are whose?
An all-singing, all-dancing, hard-riding, and high-romancing story of a lasso-tossin' cowgirl, a tough-as-jerky cowboy, and the two herds of do-si-do-ing, polka-prancing, high-stepping heifers that bring them together.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reschool-Grade 2--A fun bovine read-aloud, told in singsong rhyme. Cowboy Gene and Cowgirl Sue live on adjoining ranches and each have eight cows and a "come-home" song to round up their herds. Their animals always respond with a chorus of "Moo." When an Arkansas wind blows down the fence that divides the pastures, the cows mingle and roam and get mighty confused by the dueling songs. The ranchers call a truce and actually meet face to face. They admire one another's herds and, "Come that fall, those two cowpokes exchanged their wedding vows. Who served as honored bridesmaids? No less than sixteen cows!" The playful illustrations replete with chaps and kerchiefs reflect the setting, and a full-page spread captures the hoedown reception with the guests dancing under udder-shaped balloons. The repetition of the cows' silly names and the ranch-style dialogue will spark a smile or giggle. Libraries looking for books in rhyme or with Western settings will enjoy this title.
Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3-7. Preschool crowds will cheer for this rhyming cowboy romance from the author of Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea [BKL My 1 02]) and Wool Gathering: A Sheep Family Reunion [BKL O 1 01]. Cowboy Gene, "long and lean," and Cowgirl Sue, "smart and true," graze their cows on adjacent ranches. When a wind blows down the fence between their properties and the herds blend together, the two cowhands battle over ownership of the livestock--until they think of a truce: Why not get hitched and combine the herds? Wheeler's text bounces along with an irresistible rhyme and rhythm using words and phrases straight off the ranch, while Cyrus' smooth, brightly colored paintings capture the story's humor and farce with rakish angles and uncluttered detail that bring onlookers up close to the cowbell-clanging action. Great for rowdy story hours. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (April 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152026762
• ISBN-13: 978-0152026769
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,540,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ***SIXTEEN STARS***, April 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sixteen Cows (Hardcover)

Sixteen Cows is full of high-steppin' fun! Cowboy Gene and Cow Girls Sue's herds of cows get all mixed up one afternoon when a twister blows their fences down. Hilarity ensues as these two ranchers try to call their cows home. Lisa Wheeler's rhyming cattle calls are a hoot. My kids love reciting all of the clever cow names... "Sunflower! Baby Face! Button Eyes! Charlotte Grace! Jelly Roll! Peekaboo! Cinderbox! Bobbie Lou!"

Kurt Cyrus's beautiful, rich illustrations are breathtaking and add to the fun of this wild western lovestory.

A moo-sical tale not to be missed!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rootin' Tootin' Good Time....., June 3, 2002

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sixteen Cows (Hardcover)

Meet Cowboy Gene Biddle and Cowgirl Sue Waddle, neighbors and cow lovers, living peacefully on the western prairie. Each went about their daily ranch chores until it was time to call their cows home. Then with a loud and strong voice, each would sing their "come-home song," calling every cow by name. "Now Waddle Ranch was on a hill and sat right next to Biddle./And where each ranch's pasture met, a fence ran down the middle./So Biddle cows and Waddle cows were not in any danger/of getting mixed at grazing time and dining with a stranger." That is, until a fierce Arkansas wind blew that old fence "plumb clean away." Now with their cows all mixed up, what are a couple of cowpokes going to do to separate their herds and bring them home..... Lisa Wheeler's spirited and engaging, happily ever after, good-time story, complete with western dialogue, begs to be read aloud. Her entertaining, rhyming text is full of energy, humor, and wild west fun. Kurt Cyrus' bold and busy artwork captures the story beautifully, and is rich in expressive and charming detail. Together this duo have authored a playful and silly "love story" that is sure to keep your little cowpokes smiling and giggling to the very last page. So find out how sixteen cows finally brought these two lonely ranchers together, and enjoy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic fun!, May 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sixteen Cows (Hardcover)

Our family loves this book! The rhyming text is an absolute delight to read aloud, and the story line is so much fun. The bridesmaid cows are hilarious. (Makes me want to go out and buy a cow!) This book will be read over and over again in our house. YEEHAW!