CALLING ALL COWGIRLS AND COWBOYS

PARENTS OF WOULD-BE COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS, OR ANY CHILD WHO HAS EVER CELEBRATED A BIRTHDAY....

 

This Saturday (the 28th) at 3pm, local children's author David Ezra Stein will give a reading of his book, Cowboy Ned and Andy. Not only is the book a gem, but Mr. Stein promises that a delightful time will be had by all--he's got lots of fun stuff to do with the kids.  Here is a brief description of the story: Cowboy Ned and his horse, Andy, spend a hot, tiring day driving cattle.  That night, Andy listens as Ned reveals that tomorrow is his birthday and bemoans the fact that his family is not there to celebrate. Unable to sleep, the horse decides that the man must have a cake and heads into the desert to find one. After asking assistance from a singing cricket, a wide-eyed owl, and a grouchy scorpion, Andy comes upon the lonely house of an old cowboy. He cannot provide a cake, but he helps Andy to realize that the best thing to have on your birthday is a friend to share it with. As the sun rises, the horse gallops back to camp to give Ned a birthday hug.

 

So we hope you can take a moment out of your busy weekend and come and sit and relax and listen to a wonderful story by a talented young writer. Again, that's this Saturday, October 28th, at 3pm....

 

Here is an excerpt from a review from the School Library Journal:

 

"Stein's language is simple yet expressive. The old cowboy's voice is described as soft, like hooves on sand, and owl wings, and the movements of dust. These images stir the imagination and also evoke the story's action and setting. Done in ink and watercolor, the cartoon illustrations make the most of the Western landscape, depicting a pale gold daytime sky, a soothingly blue moonlit night, and a multihued sunrise. Thick lines highlight the characters and background objects, providing contrast to the fluid colors. Andy is the star here, and his equine features comically convey concern, dejection, and, ultimately, happiness. A satisfying tale of friendship."

 

--The Community Bookstore