Kick the Cowboy (Hardcover)

"Tans does a wonderful job capturing both the hardscrabble beauty and out-sized personalities of Texas in the days of Kick." -ForeWord Magazine "A delightful picture book . . . sure to lasso a lot of laughs . . . a first-rate read-aloud for the whole family" -National Writing for Children Center "It is a sweet story and one that the little ones will enjoy." -Mexia News Kick is the greatest cowboy in the West. But when his ego swells to the size of Texas, this longhorn-lassoing fella' becomes downright mean. Not even his twenty-gallon cowboy hat can keep his attitude from growing. Kick is so mean that some folks even suspect that his snarl can straighten out a scorpion's tail. Soon enough, all of the other cowboys are itchin' to avoid him. However, there is one person who's not scared of the ornery ol' cowboy. When sweet little Belle loses her puppy, she asks Kick for help. He scowls at her request, and she responds by kicking him square in the knee. The cruel-hearted cowboy stumbles to the ground. As the two face each other eye to eye, the town is shocked by what happens next. Kick, suddenly overcome with guilt, begins to cry. As teardrops plop into the dust, Belle offers her hand in forgiveness, and the bully is given a second chance. This rodeo of fun will have kids rootin' for Kick as he learns a lesson in kindness. Adrian Tans' striking illustrations are the perfect complement to Joe Gribnau's adorable story, which is told with a Western twang. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joe Gribnau is a teacher and the author of Pelican's Rocky Mountain Night Before Christmas. The Missoula, Montana, native earned his B.A. in elementary education from the University of Montana and completed a master's program in literacy at Walla Walla University. Gribnau enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family in Walla Walla, Washington. ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR Adrian Tans is an accomplished illustrator who provided the stunning images for Pelican's Pirate Treasure Hunt and Witches' Night Before Halloween. He enjoys traveling and resides in Woodstock, Vermont, with his family.