Preschool crowds will cheer for this rhyming cowboy romance from the author of Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea BKL My 1 02) and Wool Gathering: A Sheep Family Reunion BKL O 1 01. Cowboy Gene, long and lean, and Cowgirl Sue, smart and true, graze their cows on adjacent ranches. When a wind blows down the fence between their properties and the herds blend together, the two cowhands battle over ownership of the livestock--until they think of a truce: Why not get hitched and combine the herds? Wheeler's text bounces along with an irresistible rhyme and rhythm using words and phrases straight off the ranch, while Cyrus' smooth, brightly colored paintings capture the story's humor and farce with rakish angles and uncluttered detail that bring onlookers up close to the cowbell-clanging action. Great for rowdy story hours.

After a tornado whisks away the fence between Cowboy Gene's and Cowgirl Sue's pastures, their two herds mingle and wander together, confused by their owners' dueling cattle calls. Illustrated in earth tones, the rhyming story trots along to a predictable but satisfying ending with the cowpokes making the new cattle combo permanent--by tying the knot.

Verse with all the spunk of dueling banjos and honeyed watercolors are a pleasingly combustible combination in this rollicking romance. The story pivots about Cowboy Gene and Cowgirl Sue and their cows, who share adjoining acreage on the lonesome prairie. Cowgirl Sue has the high ground, while Cowboy Gene makes his home down in the valley, and never the two mix until the day a tornado comes through and sends their fence flying to parts unknown. When the herds start to mingle, both Gene and Sue set to yodeling for their charges. The cows first head toward Gene, then back toward Sue: "The cows all did the polka, as Sue commenced to singin'. / They trotted up to Waddle Ranch, their cowbells just a ringin'! / Sixteen cows together, ran up the hill and down. / Sixteen cows could not decide which was the sweeter sound." Finally, the two cowpokes stop their singing feud and start to admire each other's cows, then each other, plain and simple. Wedding bells split the air, and cows as bridesmaids make their first appearance in children's literature. A rousing little number, best read not right before bed, for the proceedings are spirited and the dancing cows inspire some serious high stepping. (Picture book. 3-7)

PreS-Gr 2-A fun bovine read-aloud, told in singsong rhyme. Cowboy Gene and Cowgirl Sue live on adjoining ranches and each have eight cows and a "come-home" song to round up their herds. Their animals always respond with a chorus of "Moo." When an Arkansas wind blows down the fence that divides the pastures, the cows mingle and roam and get mighty confused by the dueling songs. The ranchers call a truce and actually meet face to face. They admire one another's herds and, "Come that fall, those two cowpokes exchanged their wedding vows. Who served as honored bridesmaids? No less than sixteen cows!" The playful illustrations replete with chaps and kerchiefs reflect the setting, and a full-page spread captures the hoedown reception with the guests dancing under udder-shaped balloons. The repetition of the cows' silly names and the ranch-style dialogue will spark a smile or giggle. Libraries looking for books in rhyme or with Western settings will enjoy this title.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.