Cowgirls & Dinosaurs

August 1, 2023
Two unlikely girls come together to save their small town from a vengeful bandit. In a world where dinosaurs and people coexist, the small desert town of Little Spittle is home to Clementine and her sheriff father, who read Black. They are tasked with keeping the good townsfolk safe from harm, including the likes of bandits. Clementine, resourceful and charismatic, nevertheless struggles with imposter syndrome and has difficulty fulfilling her duties as deputy. Brash Abigail, who has tan skin and black hair and eyes, dreams of being appointed deputy and receiving praise for saving everyone from ruin; she is the "cloaked vigilante" known as the Sarsaparilla Kid. However, Abigail and Rootbeer, her trusted dinosaur steed, can't seem to find a welcome in the many towns they've visited. Clementine and Abigail are thrust together when the Scugg brothers and their sister, the Bandit Queen, who appear white, plot to steal a sacred calcified heart with dinomagik powers. The two girls help each other recognize their strengths as they work to save Little Spittle. This is a brisk, humorous story that's full of heart and will have readers rooting for the young heroes. The illustrations are expressive and lively, with a warm color palette that breathes life into this otherworldly Western adventure. There are hints of sweet budding romance between Clementine and Abigail. A heartfelt story of self-acceptance wrapped in a side-splitting adventure. (map) (Graphic adventure. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 15, 2023
In the distant past, an unknown object came tumbling through the atmosphere, wiping out countless species and leaving a mysterious object in the heart of the impact crater. In the aftermath, humans evolved from apelike creatures (and dinosaurs continued evolving right alongside them) and appointed sheriffs and deputies to protect the communities of the world and safeguard the object that caused the widespread destruction. In the present, aspiring sheriff Abigail has been unable to secure herself a position, until she stops a crime in the town of Little Spittle, where a mousy young deputy named Clementine decides to give her a chance. That small crime, though, is only the beginning of a much larger danger to the town and entire world, and the pair embarks on a journey to prevent a nefarious villain, the Bandit Queen, from bringing destruction to the world. Ebrey's Western-inspired comic is a satisfying blend of antic silliness, adventure, and just the right amount of heart, all amplified by the cartoonish character design and expressive dino companions.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2023

Gr 4-6-In a fantasy "old west," settlers and dinosaurs live together. Archeologists digging at a site discover a calcified heart that still beats and emits a malevolent aura called "dinomagik." Small town Little Spittle is where the League of Sheriffs decide to hide this artifact. Deputy Clementine, whose dad is the sheriff, meets up with crime fighter orphan Abigail and her trusty dino-steed Rootbeer. These unlikely allies develop a working relationship, and eventually a friendship. Their main nemesis is the Bandit Queen and her three brothers. Having robbed the archeologists, the Bandit Queen discovers that the ring she stole has dinomagik and uses it to break her criminal brothers (who made a failed attempt to steal the heart) out of jail. She also kidnaps all the townsfolk for good measure. In the fray, Clementine ends up with the heart and takes off in search of Abigail. They must team up to confront the Bandit Queen and save their town. Bright colors and panels of every shape and size contribute to the dynamic look and pace. Racially diverse and LGBTQIA+ characters add modern touches to western tropes. VERDICT A solid purchase where fantasy adventures are popular. Give this to fans of Shannon Hale's Rapunzel's Revenge and Calamity Jack.-Elisabeth LeBris

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.