Why Cowboys Sleep With Their Boots On (Why Cowboys Series) [Hardcover]

Laurie Knowlton (Author), James Rice (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Why Cowboys Series

Slim Jim Watkins finds that his old way of getting ready for bed just wonít do, thanks to the nightly entourage of desert animals who play a key role.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Young cowpokes everywhere will take a shine to this rib-ticklin' tale of Slim Jim Watkins and his vanishing wardrobe. Every night when the tired cowboy disrobes and stretches out on his bedroll for some shut-eye, thieving varmints emerge from the darkness. First, a pair of slithering snakes boost his britches, then his bandana's lifted by a coyote. When an armadillo makes off with his hat, Slim finally cottons to the shenanigans and wisely opts to sleep fully clothed. Knowlton's humorous story finds a ready pardner in Rice's droll pen-and-wash illustrations, colored with the dusty hues of the Southwest. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2?Knowlton's western jargon and Rice's ink-and-watercolor illustrations (familiar from Cowboy Rodeo [1992] and Cowboy Night Before Christmas [1986, both Pelican]) make a fine team to point up the necessity of certain cowboy apparel and introduce desert animals, all the while spinning an amusing yarn. Slim Jim Watkins learns to sleep in his britches, bandana, and hat, as well as with his boots on, when, night after night, his gear is carried off by desert critters. With each incident, Knowlton sets up the nocturnal thievery with Slim Jim's trail-blazing, cattle-herding exhaustion and an unseen (to Jim) varmint. Then Rice's wordless double-page spread artwork shows what happens to his clothing. And, as always, the artist successfully contrasts blazing scarlet with desert neutrals and captures the humor of cowboy predicaments. Fun for a group read-aloud.?Claudia Cooper, Ft. Stockton Independent School District, TX
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (December 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565540948
• ISBN-13: 978-1565540941
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > United States

More About the Author

Laurie's first published work was a note passed to a boy in elementary school. You would have thought that this most embarrassing moment would have stopped her writing career. But instead, Laurie is the author of thirty five books and author/illustrator of two more. Laurie lives in rural Ohio with her husband and two daughters and loves writing surrounded by horses, cattle, dogs, cats, and five turkeys.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story for preschool and elementary aged children!, May 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Cowboys Sleep With Their Boots On (Why Cowboys Series) (Hardcover)

My children (ages 3&4) loved this book! We rented it so much from the local library that it was well worth the money to buy it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic bedtime story!, June 11, 2005

By 

Kassie Leavitt (Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Cowboys Sleep With Their Boots On (Why Cowboys Series) (Hardcover)

My 4 year old son loves this book! He dreams of being a cowboy one day, and this book just makes him giggle! I woud recommend this to anyone who has kids that like cowboys or silly stories. I also read this at a Library pre-school reading hour and it was a big hit! 5 stars and then some!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and a good lesson, July 30, 2007

By 

San Diego gardener (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Why Cowboys Sleep With Their Boots On (Why Cowboys Series) (Hardcover)

My three year old grandson and five year old granddaughter loved the story and the illustrations. We read the story three times in a row and they loved the anticipation of seeing which animal was creeping up next.