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Conrad and the Cowgirl Next Door, written by Denette Fretz and illustrated by Gene Barretta, tells the tale of a city slicker named Conrad whose biggest challenge during his summer of cowboy training is the know-it-all cowgirl next door.
About the author
Denette Fretz is the critically acclaimed author of two books in “The Next Door Series”––Pirates on the Farm and Conrad and the Cowgirl Next Door. A perpetual doodler and songster, Fretz teaches elementary art and music in Medford, Oregon.
Summary
“I hear that becoming a cowboy can be dangerous. Especially if you don't know the rules.
I don’t know the rules.”
It’s a good thing Conrad brought his Mega Ultimate Extreme First Aid Kit to Uncle Clint’s ranch because learning how to be a cowboy turns out to be a lot harder—and more painful—than he thought. Conrad has a lot to learn – including don’t squat with spurs on and never wave your red sweatshirt at a bull. But the biggest challenge of all is dealing with Imogene Louise Lathrup, the know-it-all-cowgirl next door. When Imogene shows up, she is all too happy to point out Conrad’s shortcomings. In this follow-up to their debut hit Pirates on the Farm, author Denette Fretz and illustrator Gene Barretta team up once again to tell a humorous tale about what it means to love your neighbor.
Additional text
'Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.' Young Conrad is determined to master the art of becoming a cowboy. After all, what more do you need than a Mega Ultimate Extreme First Aid Kit and a horse? Horse he has not, but he does have next-door neighbor Imogene, a ginger-haired coquette who takes a particular delight in pointing out each and every one of Conrad's flaws with appropriate aphorisms. A lassoed pig takes him for a ride? 'When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.' Despite her assurances that he'll never measure up, Conrad remains optimistic. And even when Imogene purchases the very horse he yearns for, he is willing to lend her a hand when she takes a well-deserved tumble. Fretz apparently intends to give voice to the notion of everyday forgiveness, but rather than drown readers in didacticism, she's written a rootin', tootin' ranch tale, complete with an amusing 'Vocabulary Poetical' selection of poems at the back of the book. Barretta picks up on Fretz's high-spirited text, though some of his choices may give readers pause. For example, the villain's snide dialogue pairs oddly with the doe-eyed little moppet Barretta has chosen to illustrate. Nonetheless, fans of the wrangling way of life will find themselves much attached to Conrad and his true blue cowboy heart. (Picture book. 4-7)
