Fans will delight in the return of best friends Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa the horse, who appear here in four new chapter-length episodes. In each, Cocoa's childlike behavior will seem familiar to young listeners: he wants to play and run while Kate wants to focus on ranch tasks; he fakes a cough to avoid work; and he refuses to wear his protective rain sheet when he goes out in wet weather. Kate good-naturedly coaxes her pal back into line, and in the final episode, the two sweetly affirm their affection: "We are always just right." As in the previous titles, the exemplary text, well calibrated to new readers' abilities, uses plenty of exciting, action verbs and swift dialogue to move the stories along, while Lewin's black-lined artwork extends the sense of friendship and fun.

In the first chapter, "cowhorse" Cocoa wants cowboy boots like Cowgirl Kate's, until he finds out that horseshoes bring good luck; subsequently, the two friends find a lost calf, practice roping skills, and go for a swim. Lewin's lively, expressive watercolors add even more humor to Silverman's already funny and engaging text in a book aimed at more advanced independent readers.

K-Gr 2 The adventures of Cowgirl Kate and her horse continue in this fourth installment in the popular series. A storm hits while they are riding through the pasture, scaring Cocoa, although, once they reach safety, he claims that he was "just racing the wind." As the rain continues, Cocoa pretends to be sick in an effort to get Kate's attention. He then refuses to wear a rain sheet when he goes outside and ends up soaked. Cowgirl Kate remains the voice of reason to the animal's antics throughout the story. Lewin's colorful cartoon illustrations enhance the fast-paced action and perfectly capture the characters' many expressions and their close relationship. This delightful tale is certain to appeal to young readers, especially girls who may dream of having a horse of their own. Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library