Someday Rider Book & Cassette [Audiobook] [Paperback]

Ann Herbert Scott (Author), Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2000 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Kenny loves to go down to the corral to watch his father and the other cowboys bridle and saddle their horses. When he sees them ride off into the far hills, he wishes he were going with them. "Someday you will," his mother tells him. "I'm tired of somedays," Kenny answers. "I don't want to be a someday rider. I want to ride right now."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Himler's soft watercolors depict Kenny's growing up when he joins his father on a Western ranch. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Ann Herbert Scott's Someday Rider (Clarion, 1989) is an appealing coming-of-age story in which young Kenny yearns to ride herd with his dad and the other cowboys. Kenny tries riding a variety of animalsAa goose, a sheep, and a calfAwith comical results until his understanding Mother steps in and helps him learn to ride. One day, Kenny gets to show what he's learned when his Dad is shorthanded on the ranch. Listeners are drawn right into the story by excellent narration and realistic background sounds recorded in stereo, such as the clatter of horses hooves, dogs barking, birds chirping, and water running. On one side of the cassette, the page-turn signal to turn each page is a horse whinny. Background music with guitars, harmonica, and the rhythm of horses walking enhances the Western setting of "cowboy country." Young children will enjoy listening as they turn the pages and view the pictures in the accompanying paperback book. However, the text is too advanced to make this a "read-along."-Kristina Aaronson, Bethel Elementary School, VT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Pap/Cas edition (April 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618040811
• ISBN-13: 978-0618040810
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,484,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars captures the yearning of children to be a part of the world, February 9, 2000

By 

Whitney (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Someday Rider (Paperback)

This is my 3 year old son's all time favorite book. It perfectly captures the spirit of children yearning to become part of the adult world, in this instance, to be able to ride a horse. It's homey feeling and subtle humor make it a pleasure to read again and again and again...a must for little cowpokes.

2.0 out of 5 stars It's always CowBOYs..., March 22, 2011

By 

Leslie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Someday Rider (Paperback)

Do we really need another kids book about boys getting to become working cowboys? Why would girls want to read this?

5.0 out of 5 stars Great cowboy book for young kids, February 23, 2005

By 

Rob Houser (Suwanee, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Someday Rider Book & Cassette (Paperback)

My son first discovered this book at the library when he was 2, and I bought it for him after he kept begging to get it again.

The audio tape is well produced. The narrator doesn't do anything amazing, but my son liked his voice and style a lot. There's no special sound effects and only a simple song for music.

The boy in the book wants to ride a horse, but everyone keeps telling him he can "someday." After trying to ride some of the other farm animals and helping out on the farm, his mother agrees to secretly teach him to ride. Later, when his father says he needs more hands for the roundup, the boy is able to surprise his father by telling him that he is able to help out because he can now ride on his own.

This coming-of-age story appealed to my son in a strong way even as young as 2. I like the fact that it reflects several important themes besides just growing up: developing patience, practicing/working towards a goal, and helping out the family.

The illustrations in the book are more subdued than many modern children's books, but the soft watercolor illustrations support the low-key, thoughtful tone of the book.

We haven't used the audio tape with the book for a long time, but I suspect that he will start using it this year as he starts to read on his own (he's 4 now).

My son and I have found Someday Rider to be one of the best cowboy books for kids available.

Although you may only find it used, I also recommend Bronco Busters (by Herzig and Root) as a great cowboy book for kids 2-6.