Little Old Big Beard and Big Young Little Beard

Two cowboys--Little Old Big Beard and Big Young Little Beard--in search of their lost cow, Grace, are delighted when she finally finds them, in a tongue-twisting tale enhanced with vibrant illustrations.

PreSchool-Grade 2-With a goofy exuberance, Charlip relates the tale of two cowboys who, after a slow and tongue-twisty introduction, lose their cow, Grace. Since everyone knows you can't be a cowboy without a cow, they leap into action, searching for their bovine companion up and down and around and around until she finally finds them. The buckaroos croon a hilarious takeoff on the hymn "Amazing Grace" to cap their adventures. Told with a storyteller's ear for repetition and alliteration, the story begs for listeners to provide punch lines and chant along with the narration. The almost childlike watercolor illustrations feature simple lines and curves and warm, rich tones. Written simply enough for children to read independently (although all text is capitalized), the book will also find a ready audience in storytimes and one-on-one sharing.
Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

PreS. Big and Little refers to the length of the men's beards in this delightfully droll tall tale of two cowboys out West. Big Beard is very old and small, with a long white beard. Little Beard is tall and young and has just a few hairs sprouting on his chin. Best friends, they are blissful near their campfire under the stars. Then their cow, Grace, disappears. They search and search for her, riding their horses in circles down one hill and in zigzags up another. They nearly drown in their puddles of tears--until they hear a loud "mooo," and amazing Grace finds them. Small children will love the simple cowboy adventure as much as the wordplay with big and small, and the clear, expressive line-and-watercolor illustrations avoid the slapstick busyness and violence of many tall-tale picture books. Showing the cowboys' bonds with one another and with the animals they love, this is a view of a Wild West that is cozy and exciting, gentle and strong. Hazel Rochman
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