Susan Holt Kralovansky

Twelve Cowboys Ropin' Susan Holt Kralovansky

Marc Notes: In this Texas tale, each day begins with a gift from Pappy, ranging from a mockingbird in a pecan tree to four prickly pears to twelve cowboys ropin'--; Provided by publisher. Jacket Description/Flap:"Susan Holt Kralovansky is a master re-teller of tales, and Twelve Cowboys Ropin' is no exception. She uses kid-friendly details ('dillos digging, boots a scootin') and an obvious love for her home state to update this holiday classic. Even the collaged illustrations have a Texas twang! A book born to be read aloud." --Liz Garton Scanlon, author of the 2010 Caldecott Award winner All the World "This sing-along tribute to Texas will rope in young readers and have them kickin' their boots to the familiar tune--it's that much fun! And I learned a lot to boot." --Don Tate, author of It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw, an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Book Drawing on her skills as a children's educator, librarian, and fiber artist, Susan Holt Kralovansky interprets the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas with Lone Star charm. Bonus pages of fun facts on Texas symbols make this the perfect book for early-childhood education or bedtime reading. Even the smallest cowpokes will be engaged until the last 'dillos scurry on home! Texan Susan Holt Kralovansky is proud to have worked at her dream job as an elementary-school librarian, where she was surrounded by both children and books! Kralovansky is the author of many picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, as well as stories and articles for popular children's magazines, including Turtle. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Texas Library Association. For her achievements in children's literature, Kralovansky was invited as the 2015 children's author to the prestigious "Evening with the Authors" hosted annually by the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas. Kralovansky was ably assisted in the creation of this book by her husband and cat, who both live with her in Austin, Texas. Publisher Marketing: From the front cover right on through to the last page, Susan Holt Kralovansky has created a rootin', tootin', cowboy Christmas extravaganza! Drawing on her skills as a children's educator, librarian, and fiber artist, Kralovansky transforms the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas with a Texas flair. In unusual fabric collages, she starts with a mockingbird in an oak tree and throws in iconic armadillos, prickly pears, boots, and longhorns along with the lesser-known Texas treasure of topaz. The pages are filled with dancin' gals, cowboys a ropin', guitars a strummin', bats a flyin', and some beautiful monarch butterflies! Along with charming fiber-art illustrations created from Southwest-inspired textures of burlap, rope, and colorful cotton, Kralovansky has created bonus pages of fun facts about these symbols of the great state of Texas. Included are such interesting trivia as the official state dance (the square dance), official footwear (the cowboy boot), and the date of the first rodeo (1883). A wonderful book for classroom interactions or family reading, this unique presentation of a familiar rhyme will draw in young readers and keep them enthralled long after the last 'dillo scurries off to bed.

Contributor Bio:  Kralovansky, Susan Susan Holt Kralovansky, the "Library Lady," began writing at a very young age. Fond of silly children's poems, this not-so-tall Texan is thrilled to have worked at her dream job as an elementary-school librarian, where she was surrounded by both children and books. In addition to writing six nonfiction books for young readers, she has been a contributor to popular children's magazines, including "Turtle "and "Children's Magic Window." She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Texas Library Association. Her first book with Pelican, "There Was a Tall Texan Who Swallowed a Flea, " was well-received in classrooms all over the Lone Star State. For her achievements, Kralovansky was invited as the 2014 children's author for the prestigious "Evening with the Authors" hosted annually by the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas. Kralovansky makes her home in Cedar Park, Texas, with her son and her husband, who was very handy as an extra pair of hands in the making of this book. She was also assisted by her lovely cat, who made sure everything stayed in place.