REAL COWBOYS by Kate Hoefler.  Illustrated by Jonathan Bean.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. 32p. ISBN 978-0544148925 hc. $16.99    PreS-Gr. 3    E PIC

What does it take to be a real cowboy?  Kate Hoefler's beautiful and realistic book describes the necessary traits and hard work being a good cowboy requires.  They must be good listeners, patient, ask for help, and be good to the earth.  They think of others, especially their animals, as they sing them to sleep and calm them during storms.  Myths of rowdiness are extinguished, for real cowboys sometimes cry for those they lost or as they remember the ones that died.  They are made up of all races and genders.  The use of bold colors and expressive illustrations are gorgeous and excel in telling the real story of real cowboys indeed.
Emily Cummings, Children's Specialist, Dickinson County Library, Iron Mountain, MI