Review - Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
by Anne Isaacs
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Date: 2014
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 56
Format: e-book
Source: library

When Widow Tulip Jones of Greater Bore, England, inherits a ranch in By-Golly Gully, Texas, and moves in with two trunks of tea, twelve pet tortoises, and three servants, hilarity ensues. The peaceful life suits the wealthy widow fine until word gets out and every unmarried man in Texas lines up to marry her. Widow Tulip and her small staff of three can't possibly run the farm and manage all the suitors, so she devises a plan—and it just might work. This story filled with giant tortoises, 1,000 brides, bad guys, a smart widow, and even a little romance is sure to get kids laughing.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm always a little bit leery of books that promise to be hilarious.  When they turn out not to be funny, it's always a disappointment.  Luckily, that wasn't the case here.  This book is amusing and charming, and the illustrations only help add to the air of silliness around the premise—which is a really tall tale.

Tulip Jones inherits a ranch and goes to Texas.  When she arrives, it's so hot that the lizards have to walk on stilts to protect their feet (that illustration alone is worth checking out the book for).  Once word gets out that there is a millionaire living at By-Golly Gully, a thousand bachelors descend on the poor widow and her small staff of four.  The various plans to get rid of the men are harmless and funny, and really should have worked... but it takes more than one try because, despite appearances, some of these men are smarter than they look.

Overall, I thought this was a pretty cute book.  The quirky illustrations and tall-tale elements make it an amusing adventure.

Quotable moment:

"Girls, this is the last day you'll have to wash dishes for a thousand men," she told her ranch hands at breakfast. "I'm going to get rid of the suitors, for good!"

"Hooray!" shouted Linsey, Woolsey, and Calico.

"I'll give the suitors a task and promise to marry the man who succeeds," Widow Jones explained. "But it will be an impossible task," she added gleefully, "so everyone will fail!"

Recommended to: readers who aren't put off by exaggeration; fans of funny illustrations

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

New to the TBR Pile (3)

From the library:

Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey
by Emily Winfield Martin

Ideal for bed time reading, this book will appeal to parents and children who love Grandfather Twilight and On the Night That You Were Born. Author, illustrator, and creator of The Black Apple Etsy shop, Emily Martin convinces children to close their eyes and discover who their dream animal might be—and what dream it might take them to. With a perfect nighttime rhyme and gorgeous illustrations, this book is irresistible.

Flora and the Flamingo
by Molly Idle

In this innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and her graceful flamingo friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance. With a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends learn at last how to dance together in perfect harmony. Full of humor and heart, this stunning performance (and splashy ending!) will have readers clapping for more!

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
by Anne Isaacs
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

When Widow Tulip Jones of Bore, England, inherits a ranch in By-Golly Gully, Texas, and moves in with two trunks of tea, twelve pet tortoises, and three servants, hilarity ensues. The peaceful life suits the wealthy widow fine until word gets out and every unmarried man in Texas lines up to marry her. Widow Tulip and her small staff of three can't possibly run the farm and manage all the suitors, so she devises a plan—and it just might work. This story filled with giant tortoises, 1,000 brides, bad guys, a smart widow, and even a little romance is sure to get kids laughing.

Thomas' Snowsuit
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko

The fun begins as an epic battle starts to get Thomas to wear his new brown snowsuit - which he dislikes. Thomas' Snowsuit relates an everyday family event that all children, and parents, will recognise.

Freebie from Amazon.ca:

The Space in Between
by Jen Minkman

When Moira helps out her sister and brother in a Wiccan ritual on Halloween, the last thing she expects is to be swept away to a mystical wilderness. Sitting within the stones of the ancient circle of Penmaenmawr, Wales, she's convinced it's an illusion. But the dark-haired, handsome man with amnesia that Moira meets during her trance cannot be blinked away like a dream.

Hayko, the mysterious stranger, won’t let go. After returning home from her stone circle adventure, Moira is beckoned back night after night to the outlandish dreamland by an invisible force. But the hardest part isn't having to fight the terrifying creatures of these nightmares--it's realizing she’s falling for a guy without a past who isn’t real.

What if you really can fall in love with the man of your dreams?

What's new to your TBR pile this week?  Let me know in the comments!