Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa (2005) was named a Geisel Honor Book, and this new title, the third in the series, continues the winning friendship between girl and horse with more stories aimed at emerging readers. When Kate starts school, Cocoa suffers separation pangs: he follows her school bus; he feels frustrated when she turns her attention to homework; and he is jealous of her new school friend. Once again, Lewin's charming paintings reinforce the action and create expressive characters in both boot-clad cowgirl Kate and her sensitive cocoa-colored horse. The breezy, dialogue-heavy text is nicely geared to and paced for newly independent readers. Suggest this also for read-alouds with preschool-age siblings, who will recognize Cocoa's fear of being left behind.

This third book about Kate and her talking horse Cocoa explores familiar territory: when Kate starts school and makes a new friend, Cocoa feels left out. Each of the book's four short chapters ends happily, and by the end Cocoa is back to his old self. Lewin's amiable watercolors add even more appeal to this approachable book.

Cowgirl Kate and her sensitive and lovable horse, Cocoa, are back in this third installment of the popular series for young readers. With its four interrelated stories, new readers and horse lovers everywhere will appreciate these tales of friendship, change and love. Kate is growing up and Cocoa is not sure if he likes it. He worries that Kate's heart is not big enough for all of her new experiences, and him too. Whether Cowgirl Kate is going to school, doing her homework, making a new friend or writing a report, it's clear that the love of her life is Cocoa. The peppermint in her pocket proves it. Lewin's brisk, energetic watercolor illustrations show every mood shift, whether human or equine. As Kate learns to write, read and paint, Cocoa is growing up right with her. Yee-haw for Kate and Cocoa—and for all the readers who will learn to read right along with them. (Picture book. 3-6)

K-Gr 2-In this third collection of stories about the cowgirl and her horse, school begins. When Kate leaves on the bus, Cocoa follows it like Mary's little lamb, much to the other children's enjoyment and Kate's embarrassment. The animal is lonely and heartsick when she brings a child home but soon realizes they both have made a new friend. When Kate's attention turns to homework, Cocoa helps by posing for a picture in one story and, in another, demonstrating facts about horses for her report. Lewin's breezy, cartoon style features strong black lines and watercolor against mostly white backgrounds. Each story opens on a spread, and both characters have wonderfully expressive faces. Cocoa seems like a real horse because his movements are just right-whether galloping back home ("ta-dum ta-dum ta-dum"), rolling on his back, or shaking his long, caramel-colored mane. As the friendship between these two shines through in each story, emerging readers will make a place in their own hearts for this pair.-Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.