Way Out West With a Baby: Ragged Bears
Mike Brownlow
Hardcover
(Ragged Bear, Sept. 15, 2000)
Meet a hilarious trio of reprobate cowpokes: Don, Deke, and the meanest of them all Dom ("He didn't even send a card at Christmas to his Mom") who are redeemed by tending to a baby. Kids will delight at the cowhands (mis)adventures trying to take care of the tyke-from feeding time ("Do you think she'd like some steak? Or maybe she'd like beans?") to changing diapers ("Aw shucks...she's sprung a leak!"). Mike Brownlow's tale combines a terrific sense of humor and a perfect story-telling ear, with a lush, saturated palette. This is one rib-ticklin', heartstring-tuggin' yarn that's sophisticated and funny enough for older readers - and action-packed and accessible to younger listeners.
L