School Library Journal Review
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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.