Cowboy Jose By Elya, Susan Middleton

Title: Cowboy Jose

Author: Elya, Susan Middleton

Illustration: Tim Taglin

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Son’s

Comments

CIP Info A poor cowboy enters a rodeo to win a date from a pretty senorita, but afterwards wonders if he should spend his winnings on the girl, who only wanted his winnings, or the horse who helped him win.

Now this is a great story. Cowboy Jose enters a rodeo to win the money (and thus the heart) of a girl. She watches him from the sidelines while his horse, Feo, stood by his side and helped him. After he wins the girl goes head-over-heals and wants to help him spend his winnings. Jose sticks with his friend ho liked him before he was rich. The bold colors of the illustrations give it a warm feeling. The illustrator captures the feelings of the girl really well. At first her dislike of Jose, when he is poor and nothing, and then her greed nearly oozes out of her after he wins. This was a lot of fun, and great for teaching basic lessons of life, how to tell your real friends, and such.

Illustrations are done in watercolor and colored pencil on Strathmore illustration board.