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lattelibrarian's review
4.0
My coworker and I saw this as we were working on redoing our children's literature section, and oh man...we had a good time with this one. It's such a riotous tall-tale (I mean, look at that cover--she's riding a turtle!) that ends with an incredibly sweet, though expected, resolution.
As Tulip Jones works her suitors with tricks and dares, Isaacs and Hawkes certainly make a point that if there's an attractive woman (with a lot of money), men will try to do just about anything--and certainly won't take no for an answer. That leaves Tulip with a lot of mouths to feed and not a lot of time for herself. That is, until she figures out how to get them to leave.
Overall, this was just such a fun book with illustrations to match. Certainly worth a read!
As Tulip Jones works her suitors with tricks and dares, Isaacs and Hawkes certainly make a point that if there's an attractive woman (with a lot of money), men will try to do just about anything--and certainly won't take no for an answer. That leaves Tulip with a lot of mouths to feed and not a lot of time for herself. That is, until she figures out how to get them to leave.
Overall, this was just such a fun book with illustrations to match. Certainly worth a read!
kristenremenar's review
3.0
Terrific tall tale set in Texas. I like the feisty main female characters and Charlie Doughpuncher the baker. A bit "meh" on the 1,000 brides who come a'runnin' to get married and the bad boy bandits for whom marriage is worse than going to jail, but still a fun read-aloud.
lmasondcroz's review
5.0
Lisa Mason-D'Croz's Review Summaries and Personal Review
Isaacs, A. (2014). Meanwhile, back at the ranch. New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books.
Review #1
Barthelmess, T. (2014, January 1). [Review of Meanwhile, back at the ranch by A. Isaacs]. Booklist. 110(9), 120. Retrieved from NoveList Plus database.
Barthelmess recommends this book for K-3 students and notes that the use of “tall tale plotting and over-the-top language” make it a stand-out. He also describes the illustrations as being comic and spirited and says that he enjoyed the author’s and illustrator’s humor, especially their jokes about Texas.
Review #2
Musser, A.S. (2014, January 1). [Review of Meanwhile, back at the ranch by A. Isaacs]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from School Library Journal website.
Musser recommends this book for Grades 1-4, but would be best read aloud. He liked the exaggerated characters and illustrations and noted that the author excelled at using tongue-twisters and idioms that make the book fun to read.
My Review
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch is an engaging tall tale about an independent widow, who inherits a fortune and ranch in Texas. She is immediately overwhelmed by 1,000 eager, cowboy suitors, seeking their own share of her fortune, and finds a clever solution to her problem, with the help of her ranch hands. The rich language would make this book best for sharing as a read aloud (especially for a lesson on tall tales or idioms). I also loved the colorful, vivid illustrations and the humor.
Isaacs, A. (2014). Meanwhile, back at the ranch. New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books.
Review #1
Barthelmess, T. (2014, January 1). [Review of Meanwhile, back at the ranch by A. Isaacs]. Booklist. 110(9), 120. Retrieved from NoveList Plus database.
Barthelmess recommends this book for K-3 students and notes that the use of “tall tale plotting and over-the-top language” make it a stand-out. He also describes the illustrations as being comic and spirited and says that he enjoyed the author’s and illustrator’s humor, especially their jokes about Texas.
Review #2
Musser, A.S. (2014, January 1). [Review of Meanwhile, back at the ranch by A. Isaacs]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from School Library Journal website.
Musser recommends this book for Grades 1-4, but would be best read aloud. He liked the exaggerated characters and illustrations and noted that the author excelled at using tongue-twisters and idioms that make the book fun to read.
My Review
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch is an engaging tall tale about an independent widow, who inherits a fortune and ranch in Texas. She is immediately overwhelmed by 1,000 eager, cowboy suitors, seeking their own share of her fortune, and finds a clever solution to her problem, with the help of her ranch hands. The rich language would make this book best for sharing as a read aloud (especially for a lesson on tall tales or idioms). I also loved the colorful, vivid illustrations and the humor.
mellenwood's review
3.0
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: K-2
I enjoyed this book and how it incorporated immigration into such a fun and exciting book. Kids will love this book because there are larger than life exaggerations and how they do with their conflicts. It made me smile and sometimes laugh. I would recommend this book to any child who enjoys funny books and who likes to laugh.
Grade Level: K-2
I enjoyed this book and how it incorporated immigration into such a fun and exciting book. Kids will love this book because there are larger than life exaggerations and how they do with their conflicts. It made me smile and sometimes laugh. I would recommend this book to any child who enjoys funny books and who likes to laugh.
readingthroughtheages's review
4.0
This book is a great example of a picture book that should be used with older children. This book is full of exaggerations and plays on words that older children will understand and appreciate that youngers won't. It's also a longer picture book and needs to have an audience that can stay with it.
The Widow Tulip Jones of England has recently inherited $35 million and a ranch in Texas. Off she goes and the hilarity starts when thousands of Texan bachelors come to win her hand in marriage.
The text and illustrations work together so well. You have to look carefully at the illustrations to see the ways it compliments and adds to what is happening in the story.
The Widow Tulip Jones of England has recently inherited $35 million and a ranch in Texas. Off she goes and the hilarity starts when thousands of Texan bachelors come to win her hand in marriage.
The text and illustrations work together so well. You have to look carefully at the illustrations to see the ways it compliments and adds to what is happening in the story.
panda_incognito's review
4.0
This tall tale has lots of spunk, vibrant art, and a satisfying, happy ending. I'm glad that I picked this out to read for class, and I will keep it in mind as possible read-aloud idea for the future.
trixie_reads's review
4.0
This is a very cute, rather long picture book that would make a great readaloud for upper elementary school kids.
rabbilrb's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
bookdingo's review
4.0
Wonderfully exaggerated Odyssey retelling of a rich widow in Texas trying to get rid of 1,000 suitors