Book Review - LITTLE BRITCHES AND THE RATTLERS

Book Review – LITTLE BRITCHES AND THE RATTLERS

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric A.  2008.  LITTLE BRITCHES AND THE RATTLERS.  Ill. By Vincent Nguyen.  Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Corporation.  ISBN 978-0-7641-5432-8

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

Little Britches the cowgirl was on her way to a rodeo, when she was waylaid by terrible rattlesnakes.  Each time, she bribed the different snakes with various articles of her clothing until she was only left with “her long johns and red bandana”!  On the verge of giving up and going home, she comes across the snakes arguing over who is “the finest rattler in the gulch”.  The argument escalates until all of the snakes eat other completely up, leaving only the clothes!  A fully dressed Little Britches made it to the rodeo after all, and wins first prize!

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this good vs. evil Texas folktale, Eric Kimmel spins a nice story for Kinder through second graders.  The book would be a fine read-aloud, with plenty of down home Texan slang that children would love if read with a thick accent and tall Stetson hat.  Little Britches teaches a good lesson about persistence and never giving up even when things look bleak.  Kids will also love how the cowgirl is a strong female character that perseveres and emerges triumphant at the end, winning first prize!  Text is appropriate for early readers, who might have a little challenge with the unusual regional spellings like “git” for “get” and “swallering” for “swallowing”.  Special mention must be made for Vincent Nguyen’s excellent illustrations.   The book features warm colors, with golden sand, red boots, and blue jeans, evoking classic western images.  Each of the snakes features a unique color and pattern, keeping them unique and visually interesting.  The expressions on the cowgirl’s face are excellent, and run the gamut from excited to disappointment, and ultimately triumph. 

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “Kimmel’s little yarn makes good use of early counting concepts and introduces some western lingo in a leisurely repetitive structure. This will make for a swell read-aloud, highlighted by the repeated threat Little Britch-ch-ches, we’re gonna s-s-swaller you up! Nguyen’s artwork complements the glib silliness as the snakes try to fill out the little girl’s clothing.”

Reviewed in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Little Britches looks like a spunky preschooler with determination written all over her postures and face. The colorful snakes look wily and ridiculous when dressed in her duds. A fun read-aloud.”

5.       CONNECTIONS

* For more Texas sized fun with Eric Kimmel, try:

Kimmel, Eric. THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES.  ISBN 978-0761455196

Kimmel, Eric. THE GREAT TEXAS HAMSTER DRIVE. ISBN 978-0761453574