My Daddy Is a Cowboy

PreS-Gr 3–An early morning wake-up call is an exciting adventure for the young narrator here, who goes with Father on a horseback ride through the usually busy city where they live. After greeting and caring for their horses, the pair saddle up and ride, relishing the quiet and each other’s company, especially Daddy’s stories about riding when he was little. The beautiful sunrise reveals other people out, who smile and wave at the pair. It’s a wonderful example of a narrative about a family doing interesting things together in their community. The Afro-Panamanian community ties are evident and will provide opportunities for some readers to compare and contrast this experience to their own. It would also make an excellent mentor text for narrative writing. Vividly hued oil paintings are a perfect accompaniment to the text, adding visual details and cultural elements to the story. The pictures also reflect a deep love between the father and child as well as for the horses.