Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-One morning, Cowgirl Kate wakes to the tickle of horse whiskers on her face. Her talking horse announces that he is tired of the barn. Kate explains that horses do not belong in the house and follows him around in her big red cowboy boots trying to persuade him to return to his stall. Whimsical watercolor illustrations follow the pair as the horse stumbles upon interesting things such as the toilet, bathtub, fake fruit, and his favorite item, the refrigerator. Finally, Kate coaxes the animal back to the barn just as her parents get home. The dialogue-heavy text is well paced and perfect for readers who are between picture books and chapter books. This warm and pleasant story will appeal especially to girls who dream of having their own horse.-Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Tired of barn life, Cocoa the horse decides to visit Kate inside the house while her parents are away. After the hapless horse wrecks the home's decor during his explorations, Kate must put on her thinking cap to get Cocoa back where he belongs. The blend of humor and problem-solving makes this a good choice for more advanced independent readers. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
It was only a matter of time before Cocoa would get bored with barn life. When Cowgirl Kate's parents leave, Cocoa pushes open the door and lets himself into the house. After all, his favorite person lives there, and he wants to be where she is. When his touring breaks a lamp and ruins a wax fruit arrangement, Cowgirl Kate has to employ her best thinking to get her buddy to return to his proper place. Lewin's signature watercolors will continue to delight young readers, especially when showing Cocoa's disdain for his former abode and his delight at the riches of the refrigerator: "This is the best stall in the house!" The gentle blues of the barn, with the sunlight coming through the cracks in the walls, draw Kate's equine friend back, where he realizes there is no place like home, leaving Cowgirl Kate with a new appreciation for her own home and the barn, too. Just right for the new reader who loves horses. (Early reader. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
