In Danneberg's Cowboy Slim, the newcomer at the WJ Ranch confesses that he longs to be "a real cowboy," but inspired by the sights, scents, and sounds around him, Slim finds himself writing poetry instead. Although he tries to perfect more practical skills, his fellow cowboys must rescue him from one disaster after another. They learn the power of poetry, though, when the herd stampedes and Slim saves the day. Proving that poetic language doesn't have to be flowery, the well-chosen words of the narrative read aloud beautifully. Apple's detailed pencil drawings, washed with watercolors in desert tones, create a pleasing setting and a distinctive cast of characters; the cattle express emotions effectively. A droll tribute to the long tradition of cowboy poets, this will please any young tenderfoot who feels the call of the range.

Slim's gruff companions ridicule him for writing poetry. Real cowboys "don't mess around with no fancy, perfumed words." Slim unsuccessfully tries his darndest to be a real cowboy but always fails. It isn't until his soothing words save the herd from stampeding that the other cowboys accept him. Colorful cowboy language and action-packed, dusty-colored illustrations will satisfy all cowboy lovers. An author's note even attests to the fact that cowboy poets really do exist. "Buckaroo Banter" defines Western terminology. So "jingle your spurs" and get this book.

A poetic greenhorn proves that the pen is mightier than the lasso in this winsome western. When Slim arrives at the WJ Ranch with dreams of being a "real cowboy," his enthusiasm emerges as poetry whose words tumble "across the paper, like puppies playin' in the yard." Buster, Sally and Red warn Slim that "real cowboys" ride, whip and rope and don't need "sissy stuff" like poetry. Slim's dreams evaporate on the trail when he's sent to the back of the herd because his riding, roping and whipping don't pass muster. "As out of place as a bull in a china shop," Slim decides to head home just as a thunderstorm triggers a stampede. After Red's roping, Buster's whipping and Sally's riding fail to divert the cattle, Slim's poems sooth the stampede. Humorous pencil and watercolor illustrations in dusty hues catch the cowboys in action while the light text lathered liberally with western lingo neatly captures cowboy cadence. Perfect for cowboys and -girls who long to ride at the head of the herd.

Ranch hand Slim has always wanted to be a real cowboy. While his roping and riding are below average, his talent for poetry is outstanding–but unappreciated by his fellow trail riders. That is, until a flash of lightning sends the herd stampeding, and only Slim’s poetry can calm the cattle down. Apple’s watercolor and pencil illustrations are full of real cowboy details and more than a dash of humor. A short explanation of cowboy expressions is included.

Poor Cowboy Slim... He's a young boy who wants to do the round up with the older cowboys, but he has troubles all along. He even ends up in the saddle backwards!

Charlesbridge Publishing sent me this softcover picture book to review. I live in cowboy country, so I was sure it would be fun to read.

Cowboy Slim loves to write poetry. I know my bookstore has one whole bookcase filled with cowboy poetry, so this isn't really an oddity. But the other cowboys think he's wimpy because he'd rather do poetry than pursue the good talents you need on the range. Like roping, riding a horse well, and using a whip to keep the animals in line.

Of course, Cowboy Slim has lots of calamities and has to be rescued several times. You begin to wonder if he's ever going to make it as a cowboy.

Then there's a stampede and all the other cowboys (and cowgirl) end up almost run down by the cows. Cowboy Slim catches up to the herd and finds that if he uses his poetry to talk to them, they calm down.

Slim's not the perfect cowboy yet, but he is fittin' in a bit better. And now the other cowpokes are starting to do some writing, too.

The illustrations are by Margot Apple, and just right for the 4-7 year old readers. This would also be a fun book for reading aloud. It's for sale right now at your local bookstore.

Share a little history with your child and let them learn about riding the range. It even has a glossary at the back for the buckaroo talk!