The Cowboy's Christmas
on Goodreads (29)
What’s inside...
Originally published in 1972, The Cowboy's Christmas is the story of a boy and his imaginary friend, Bear, as they prepare for one of the most magical days of the year. It has withstood the test of time to become a holiday classic. Author Joan Walsh Anglund's timeless brave cowboy character was inspired by her own son when he was a lively young boy. The Cowboy's Christmas tells a wonderful tale of the special little boy's adventures with his imaginary friend, Bear, as they shop for presents, bake cookies, and decorate for the holidays. Any child (or parent!) can relate to the cowboy's behavior in the days leading up to Christmas, as 'somehow, the cowboy never seemed to cause trouble anymore.' He becomes 'especially good' and begins to go shopping, hang festive Christmas decorations, bake wonderful cookies, wrap packages, and run errands - all with Bear's help! Joan uses two colors to help tell the cowboy's simple but charming story - black to represent the boy's real world and red or green to depict the fantasy world he shares with Bear. This seasonal gift book is a heartwarming follow-up to Cowboy's Secret Life, Cowboy and His Friend, and The Brave Cowboy, which was first published in 1959.
Age
2-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the cowboy feels about spending Christmas on the ranch?
What traditions does the cowboy enjoy during Christmas? Which one would you like to try?
Why is it important for the cowboy to share his holiday with others?
What do you think the true spirit of Christmas means in this story?
How do the illustrations help tell the cowboy’s Christmas story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe the emotions of the cowboy using clues from the text and pictures.
Discuss the importance of traditions and ask your child about their favorite holiday tradition.
Highlight the themes of sharing and kindness, and relate them to real-life situations your child might experience.
Ask your child to draw a scene from the book and explain why they chose it, fostering a deeper connection to the story.
Use the story as a starting point to plan a holiday activity that mirrors a festive activity from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The spirit of giving
Explanation: In 'The Cowboy's Christmas,' the cowboy shows generosity by giving thoughtful gifts that bring joy to others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think about what makes others happy and practice generosity by giving gifts or doing kind acts without expecting something in return.
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: The cowboy goes out of his way to help and be kind to his friends and animals, demonstrating the impact of kindness.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being helpful and kind to their peers and pets, fostering a friendly and supportive environment.
Example Lesson: Valuing traditions
Explanation: The cowboy celebrates Christmas with traditional activities and decorations, showing respect and enjoyment for cultural festivities.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in their own family or cultural traditions and understand the importance of celebrating heritage and special occasions.
Example Lesson: The joy of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, the cowboy interacts with friends, showing how relationships can add happiness and value to celebrations.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to nurture friendships and appreciate the role that friends play in their lives, especially during special events or holidays.