The wonderful rhythmic verses and sweet illustrations in this book make it a favorite for infants and young children. My daughter received this book at her baptism and continues to be one of her favorites.

This book is a precious book for children of all ages. As a mother and teacher I recomend this book.

I still own my childhood copy (1st edition) of this wonderful collection of Joan Walsh Anglund's poetry for children. The poems are simple and to-the-point, but coupled with Anglund's unforgettable illustrations, each becomes a classic! I've always enjoyed entering the author's world of childhood innocence and beauty. It's a shame this and a lot of her books are no longer in print, or are difficult to find. If you are able to secure a copy, DO! It will be worth your while.

Children everywhere love the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.
Why then retell something so beautifully told? If
you are a writer/illustrator like Joan Walsh Anglund, the answer is
easy: because you wish to create a thing of beauty and magic.

Anglund is best known for her little books and magazine
pieces that feature wide-faced children with
button noses and dark eyes. This book is a de-
parture from her usual style of illustration
in that she also creates adults: a father,
stepmother, and the wicked old witch. The
surrounding woodlands are reminiscent of
the Bavarian Black Forest and her gingerbread
house is delectable. It will send you out looking for a sugar fix.

Children will love this book because it is beautiful,
interesting and well-told. Parents will enjoy
the positive portrayal of a loving, caring
father and two very brave children. Though
currently out of print, it may well be
available in your local library, if not
in tatters (as my copy is) from years of loving use. Enjoy!

Although the book had a 'special' meaning for me, as it was given by a man who asked me to be his wife I found it to be a lovely book and very uplifting. It was lost in a flood over 15 years ago but I can still remember it's sweet content.

Brave Cowboy is one of my childhood favorites (along with Cowboy And His Friend and Cowboy's Secret Life). I have vivid memories of Mom reading me the books and my fascination with the pictures. I received my copy of Brave Cowboy for Christmas in 1961 (I was 2 1/2) and I'm sure my own vivid imagination as a child is part of what made this book about a young boy's imagination resonate with my younger self. The other day Mom asked me if I still had my old copies (a friend wanted to give them to her grandchildren or something to that effect), so I got them out to reread them. The pictures held the same fascination for me now that they did so long ago (and made me wonder if part of my love of Peter Parnall's illustrations had its origin in these simple drawings rendered in two colors), but some elements of the story bothered me. I know the book is a product of the period it was written during (a young child of the time probably knew a lot of what they knew from watching TV and movie Westerns), but the portrayal of the Native Americans in the story bugged my 42 year old self. And Brave Cowboy seems a little flagrant with that toy gun. I am NOT prone to heavy bouts of political correctness. I think it was flawed back in 1959 when it was written. But the pictures in the book are so cool! I think any adult buying this book for a child now should be prepared to deal with these elements. And hope that the other books come back into print since they do not suffer the same problems.

Anglund's children are irresistible in any book, but this one shows how a three or four-year-old can use his imagination to become a brave cowboy
in the old West. Reality is shown in black ink
sketches; the imagined scene is in red.I gave
this as a baby gift(for boy babies)many times
until it went out of print and would love to
see it brought back.

I have the 1959 first edition, and it has seen better days. It was read nearly every day and now my children love it too! It is 19 pages and a joy to read. All about a little boy that pretends he's a cowboy. Just a sweet story by a beloved author and illustrator.

If you like Joan Walsh Anglund, you'll like this book. She has filled it with simple drawings of the most endearing children, who are busy doing activities that we all remember. There aren't a lot of words, but there are just enough to build on the feelings that go along with the pictures. Adults might like it even more than children will.

This book is a very nice gift for someone who has lost a loved one. Particularly, if the person that has passed is young. This book was given to me when I lost a very good friend in high school, and now, years later, in the unfortunate instance when someone I know and love loses someone else, I always give this book as a gift, in hopes it can provide comfort to someone else.