A Cowpoke’s Christmas

PreS-K–It is Christmas Day on the farm, and there is so much to be done! Sam and Grandpa begin the day early, venturing out to the barn to check on the animals and complete their many chores. From feeding the chicks to milking the cow to bathing the dog, Sam is always ready and willing to help. Inside the house, Sam is invited to assist with the tasks that must be completed to prepare the evening meal. Later, alongside the jingling of bells and the eventual arrival of night, an extra-special surprise awaits everyone in the barn. This rhyming picture book connects readers to the Christmas holiday in a farm setting. Rather than focusing on Santa and gifts, however, this story instead features the coming together of family and includes a light reference to religious practices on a celebratory winter day. Designed to be shared with young children, the narrative is recounted through rhyming couplets that utilize a predictable meter, making the book particularly enjoyable when read aloud. The accompanying illustrations are saturated in color, using rich hues to depict Sam’s surroundings. Together, the text and visuals are appealing to young children, especially because readers are able to discover additional elements of the story by closely examining the images within it.