Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa is a winner of a Theodor Seuss Geisel
Honor award, meaning it was the most distinguished American book for beginning
readers published in English in the United States. This book is wonderful for transitioning into
shorter chapter books, since the story is divided into four chapters with a
paragraph of large text per page, accompanied by smaller pictures. The pictures
are hand drawn in bold black pen and water-colored in, against mostly a white
background. Chapter One tells the story of how Kate and Cocoa came to be
partners and best friends; Cocoa learns the consequences of being stubborn in
Chapter 2; the cowgirl and cowhorse learn that they work best as a team in
Chapter 3; and Chapter 4 shows the unconditional love and tenderness between
the two best friends.
The dialogue exchange between Kate and Cocoa provides ample opportunities for added
humor while reading this aloud to your child. Not only can Cocoa the
cowhorse talk, but he likes to argue with Cowgirl Kate the way only best
friends do. Does your child have a sibling or best friend whom they love,
but sometimes still argue with? Kate originally picked Cocoa to be her horse
because Cocoa was the colors of her favorite candy; his coat was chocolate
brown and his main was the color of caramel. Kate introduced herself, "I am a
cowgirl from the boots up," and Cocoa responded, "Well, I am a cowhorse from
the mane down." Once they were paired up, Kate continues to show great
responsibility in caring for Cocoa. She feeds and brushes
him, cleans his hooves, assures his water bucket says full, and even fluffs his
straw at night. More than anything, she loves him unconditionally.
I read this book recently with my niece and by the end of it Emily was asking for a horse. She immediately
started daydreaming about what it would look like and what they would do
together. I reminded her all of the maintenance Kate did for Cocoa on a daily
basis, and when that didn't detour Emily, I reminded her that the book didn't show Kate having to clean out
Cocoa's stall after he had gone to the bathroom. That sufficiently grossed
Emily out, so I probably bought myself a month or so before she asks again for
a horse.
--Audra