53. The Toughest Cowboy

Title: The Toughest Cowboy
Author: John Frank
Illustrator: Zachary Pullen
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Copyright Date: 2004
Number of Pages: 48
Reading Level: 8+
Genre: Fiction/Picture Book

Summary
Grizz Brickbottom is the toughest cowboy around. He drank Tabasco every day, flossed with barbed wire and he could grind pretty much anything with the stubble from his chin. As Grizz was sitting around the fire with his range buddies he realized that something was missing from his life. Silky hair, lovely smell and gives lots of kisses, he needed a dog! Grizz stood up and flung his plate. He was so enthusiastic he told the boys that they needed a dog around because he was tired of their manners. They were outraged that he would suggest that they were less mannered than a dog. They needed a dog to chase mountain lions, herd cattle and because they take regular baths. Grizz decides when he’s going to get a dog he’ll name him dog gone it. The next time Grizz went to town he saw a sign and went in to enquire about the dog. When he returned to the boys he had dog in hand. The men all started to laugh at the miniature poodle and at Grizz for bringing him home. Grizz tells the guys that the dog already has a name, Foofy. They hoot and holler over that. Grizz gives each of the boys jobs to help take care of Foofy. Chuckwagon is to cook French dishes and to sing her to sleep at night. Bald Mountain is to brush Foofy’s hair each night before bed. Lariat is given the job of tying her hair with ribbons. They just stand there dumbfounded as Grizz sets off with Foofy to go and train her to herd cattle. Foofy isn’t very good and is scared of the cattle. Later he talks of teaching her to chase of the bobcats and mountain lions when a mouse appears and Foofy cowers in fear. Grizz is so upset he throws his plate into the air and to all of their surprise Foofy runs after it and catches it. The boys have a grand time throwing the plate and soon are throwing it to each other as well. They all do their jobs to take care of Foofy and when they bathe her they find they like the smell of soap. They all move into town so they can start having regular baths. Bald Mountain, who is bald, starts up a salon. Lariat starts a business for gift wrapping and other trinkets. Chuckwagon starts a restraunt. Grizz uses the idea of the flying disc and invents the “Grizz-B.” In the end he’s driving off with Foofy in a car with a cow in the back. He’s still driving cattle across the plains.

Recommendation
I would recommend this for a class to read, because its so funny or for a bed time story pretty much for the same reason. I think young kids would have so much fun thinking about grown men who are taking such good care of a girly dog.

Problems/Conflict
Frank used quite a bit of cowboy dialogue that could be a little hard to understand because of the accents to the words.

My Reaction
The pictures are so beautifully illustrated. There is one picture that reminds me of my dad, mostly because of the steely blue eyes though. I can’t get over the facial expressions of the cowboys when Grizz hands them their new duties to watch over Foofy. So funny. The story and pictures flow so well together I couldn’t have seen this book illustrated any other way.