Buster Bronco, my "talking
horse" is anticipating a bite of
an imaginary apple from
a sweet reading wrangler's
hand.
"Engage children's imaginations
and they have unlimited attention
spans!" joel reese
| Librarians and Parents are saying: |
|
Everett
Horn Public Library --
Thanks again for a whoopi ti yi Joel did great. I loved all the educational components of his program...especially for the Spanish part since it seems our Spanish population is feeling a little beaten down lately. Dinah Harris, Director Lexington, TN 6/15/07 Putnam County Library -- yo kinda day yesterday. Happy Trails, Marcia Donovan Cookville, TN 6/15/07 Johnson City Public Library -- You have great skill in relating to children, giving them the opportunity to express themselves, then reigning them back in to participate in the next musical activity. I appreciate your interest in encouraging children to read and to be the best they can be. Betty Cobb, Youth Services Johnson City, TN 6/15/0 Auburntown Branch Library -- We had a Rompin' Stompin' Good Time with Singing Cowboy and Buster Bronco! Happy Trails, Stephanie Fuson and Kay Hale Parent -- Thanks so much for what you do with music and children. As a musician, I
always look for ways to get my son involved in music. Your show so very
captivated him that we came to see you twice. Cookeville and Sparta.
Keep doing what you do!
Toni
Care A Lot Pre-K --
The boys and girls are still talking about how much fun they had, they
loved everything. The parents are coming in with wonderful comments from what
their kids told them. Thanks again for a super time, the kids wanted me to send
a message to Buster, HOWDY BUSTER and come back soon.
Thanks again
Mrs. Donna
Child -- Dear Joel and
Buster,
I really like the things you do
with the puppet, Buster. Remember that trick rope I told you about? Well, next
time I see you I will bring my rope.
Thanks a
lot!!!
Love,
Joseph
Here's an apple,
Buster!
Add your comments: Click Here! |
Tennessee's Summer Reading
Poster 2007
Haven and Kelln lassoed by
the love of reading! Kearns, UT.
This is Stacee, Haven and
Kelln's mom. Thank you again
for your interactive concerts
filled with fantastic positive
music that makes my girls
feel like dancing and singing!
Discovery Gateway
Children's Museum Concert
Salt Lake City, UT
Buster Bronco
and The Singing Cowboy
Touring Journal - Concerts - Reviews
Photos courtesy of Putnam County Library
Library Shows
Photos courtesy of Putnam County Library
Library Shows
Creating
an entertaining and inspiring learning
environment where children will form a positive emotional link with reading and the library!
Ultimate Objective: To inspire children to read a variety of good books in order to become happy, responsible citizens.
|
About The Singing Cowboy's passion for reading:
My First Book: The Little Engine That Could Lessons Learned: The little blue engine had compassion in it's heart for the children on the other side of the mountain. This character quality motivated the little blue engine to affirm, "I think I Can!" It amazes me how the printed word can shape our thinking and mold our personalities. Reading and re-reading this Watty Piper classic has definitely contributed to molding a positive attitude in my mind. My First Library Visit: Rancho Bernardo Public Library - Second Grade I remember what seemed like endless rows of colorful books, not to mention the delightful smell of the multitudinous treasures looming before me. And 33 years later, August 15th2007, I'll be performing in Rancho Bernardo's new library this summer! My Reading Routine: I read a positive thought every morning and try to read one chapter of a positve book
every day. I also try to read one book a month. I'm currently re-reading Charlotte's Web and I'm constantly reading history books. |
Summer Reading Concert Journal...
Red print: Buster Bronco's journal entries By Joel Reese, The Singing Cowboy
and Buster Bronco, the Amazing Talking Horse (c) 2007
Black print: Joel's journal entries 8/22/07 Riverside Elementary - The Singing Cowboy and I performed for our first Fall school assembly today! And what a blast. It felt like I was bucking a rider off of my back at a big rodeo. I get a real rush when I perform. Some people call that a natural high. What ever it's called...it feels good. The students at Riverside are celebrating a reading round-up this week. Hundreds of children arrived quietly and in a single-file line in the auditorium for the show. As I looked out over the audience, I saw what looked like dozens of Woody and Jessie dolls from Toy Story. Cowboy hats bobbed up and down and back and forth on the heads of children dancing to Joel's music. I noticed a tear welling up in Joel's eye when he first noticed the children wearing cowboy hats, boots and western outfits. We performed for them back in March as well, so it was great seeing so many of these reading wranglers again. I must admit that the students at Riverside Elementary are some of the most polite students I've ever worked for. Joel probably wishes I would use manners and be as quiet and respectful as them. But I have to keep the children laughing, and besides, I like to aggrivate my boss! I cracked myself up during the second show when I did an impromptu, Miss Piggy imitation. It surprised Joel because he'd never heard it before. It surprised me, too...I'd never heard it either. Sometimes ideas just pop into my head. Then without a thought, I let them roll off my tongue and right out of my mouth. Of course, speaking before I think gets me in a lot of trouble. Thankfully Joel hasn't fired me from my job yet. I think the students laugh the most when I'm performing. So, unless the Singing Cowboy becomes a comedian, I'd say I've got job security. During the show, Joel asked me to take responsiblity for my actions and appologize to a student. Then one of those carzy ideas popped into my head and without thinking I said: "Lights, Cameras, Action!" That's when I started talking like Miss Piggy. Sierra volunteered to feed me an apple. Her hat looked so good I almost took a bite of that too! The students wrote a really good song with Joel about reading. Check it out: Reading is a magic carpet ride - We love to read at Riverside Books are like a ticket to the greatest show - and all the places we want to go Let's create and use imagination - Read and write in the learning station Reading is a magic carpet ride - We love to read at Riverside Teachers are helping us learn to read - so we can be all we dream to be So turn the page and take a look - There's a lot of hidden treasures buried in a book If Joel ever puts me in school, I want to go to Riverside! Love, Buster Bronco 7/31/07 Brentwood Library - The Singing Cowboy really put me to work in Brentwood. We performed four big shows in Ms.Ladner's story room. I recieved my treasured treat, applesauce. And four different times from four sweet children, Alex, Ian, Jaden and Hannah. Mmm...good. Wow! And they even sprinkled cinnamon on top! While the children sang the "ABC's," I noticed Olivia had a most beautiful pink flower in her hair and reached down to take a bite. But Joel stopped me. I complained, "I wanted to take a bite of that pink flower." Olivia exclaimed, "That's not a flower, silly horse, that's a ribbon!" So naturally I began to sing, "Tie a pink ribbon around Olivia's hair." The parents started laughing. I guess they think my singing voice is funny. Or maybe my voice is a bit hoarse. I'm thinking about taking voice lessons for horses with hoarse voices. I guess I'll start by calling the horsepital. Maybe a doctor could recommend a specialist. If they have such a thing for horses. William came back for a second show and acted as the cowboy's helper and he even read a story with Joel. Joseph surprised us and stayed for two shows as well. We haven't seen Joseph and his mom since we were in Nolensville. He always helps Joel and shows the other children what to do. During the song, "A long Way Home," Joseph suggested each mode of transportation. We saw Jamie and Nolen, too. They are really good helpers that we met at Chick-fil-A. At the beginning of the first show Joel decided he would open with a banjo song. A little boy in the audience yelled, "Can you play a banjo on your knee?" Everyone laughed. I wanted to see what would happen next. Joel trotted back to the boy's side and rested his banjo on the boy's knee. They both strummed that old twang bucket and sang, "Oh Susannah." What a hoot! Sincerely, Buster Bronco I am honored to perform for so many kind families and their children. A big thanks to Ms. Ladner for another great year! Joel 7/28/07 Bellevue Library - The Singing Cowboy and I made some more new "reading wrangler" friends today. And all of the children were sitting so politely on the carpet waiting for us. Ms. Reagan is one of the most theatric children's librarians I've ever met. When Joel sang his "Self-Control" song, Ms. Donna sang along and danced with him. It was like a Broadway show piece. Joel picked Priyanshi to feed me an apple. She is really strong! She squeezed my apple into tasty sauce in one amazing grip. I have some bad news though. The tooth thief struck the Bellevue area! I spotted several missing teeth in the mouths of the innocent children. But the good news is that I'm eager to catch the tooth thieves. I am an equine power ranger and I will return the missing teeth to their owners! Buster Bronco Ms. Reagan is a model children's librarian. Wearing a cowgirl hat, boots, jeans and a red hankerchief, she greeted me with a cheerful, Yee Haw! Children's Librarians like Ms. Reagan model a passion for reading that will last the children a lifetime. Buster and I met a lot of wonderful children today. Ruby was very polite. Paige and Sam helped out with some rope tricks. Eric asked really good questions of Buster. Eric, Mayur and many of the children told really funny jokes, too. Thanks for five great years! Joel 7/27/07 Kodak Library - The Singing Cowboy sang, Five Frecked Frogs and asked the children what kind of book a frog would read. Midori offered a clever idea. She announced, "a book about catching flies." We all laughed. Then she added, "and outsmarting them, too!" Hunter made a tasty contribution, "How about a cookbook with recipes for frying flies?" This was the last library visit of the season near the Smokeys. We will miss you! Buster Bronco It was good to see Ms. Cee again and to meet Ms. Kogdill, the Kodak Children's Librarian. They both treated me with real Smokey Mountain hospitality and made my visit a memorable one. I was very impressed with the manners of many of the children. The Smith family children were especially polite. I hope to see you all again next year! Joel 7/21/07 Richland Park Library - Mmm...I got to eat some applesauce at the party today. The fresh sauce was mashed up and served by Stephanie, a sweet volunteer. And picture this: The Singing Cowboy and the children are singing and dancing up a storm. Well, not a real storm, but a noisy burst of controlled chaos. Amidst this heel-tapping, knee-slapping activity, a boy sits quietly reading a book. And that's precisely what happened this morning. It would have made a great picture for a "reading" poster! A tornado could have taken the roof off of the library and he would still have his nose in that mystery book. Either that boy really loves to read or the Cowboy was a bit boring. The children's librarian, Ms. Kristin said she's spotted Matt reading to himself during other story-times, too. Now that's what I call a super-reading-wrangler! I spotted some more missing teeth in the smiles of the boys and girls at this library. I've decided to round up a posse. A group of helpers to pursue the ruthless criminals who are taking teeth from children. My first recruit was Asher, a Superman cowboy. At least he had a hat on and a Superman suit. I think a brave secret agent like me and a Superman cowboy like Asher could catch the tooth thief or thieves. I've pretty much decided it's a ring of thieves! Then Asher's sister, Mary Katheryn said that she would join the posse, too. Hey, the more the merrier I'd say when it comes to crime-solving detective work. And then Sophie mentioned how her cat, Sammy had caught a garden snake. So I decided we should have them join us too. Any cat that can catch a snake in its mouth should be on our team, wouldn't you agree? Buster Bronco Buster and I were treated to a fantastic reading celebration. Ms. Kristin puts on a great party. She had treats and three or four dozen western books on display around the room. Her enthusiasm for reading and love for children were a site to behold and highly contageous I might add. Thanks amigos and amigas, Joel 7/20/07 Franklin Childcare 2 - We spotted another stolen tooth today. It seems everywhere The Singing Cowboy and I go, children are missing a few front teeth. This missing tooth case is bigger than I had ever imagined it would be. A boy laughed when I mentioned that you could buy horse diapers at Tractor Supply. And that's when I spotted his missing tooth. I yelled, "Call the police! Report a stolen tooth." The boy laughed and said a tooth fairy had taken it during the night. Then I announced, "We'll catch that tooth thief, cuff him and throw him into jail. In case you didn't know, I'm an undercover agent. I guess you could say I'm a watch dog...I mean a secret agent ranger. Well actually, I'm an equine power ranger! Never fear, I will return your missing tooth, sooner or later. Addy fed me a handfull of applesauce, and the Cowboy and I had a great time with all of the children. Buster Bronco Ms. Kylee is a big kid at heart and that makes for a great school director. We had a blast singing and dancing with the children and teachers! Thanks everyone, Joel 7/20/07 Gardner School (Marriot Dr.) - I learned a good lesson in manners today in school. I sneezed a couple of times and young Alan jumped up and grabbed a tissue from the restroom. That's the first time anyone's thought to bring me a tissue. Alan was very thoughful. I'm beginning to think that I may be allergic to applesauce. Every time the children feed it to me, I start sneezing. The Singing Cowboy put the tissue on my big muzzle and I began blowing. That tissue shot out over the audience, danced around a few times and then dropped on a boy's head. I guess I must have blown a little boogie into it. Lauren, Kacy and all of the children were very kind to me. Buster Bronco Ms. Kristin and all of the teachers maintain a friendly, loving atmosphere and that made Buster and me feel right at home. Thanks, Joel 7/16/07 Obion Library - It was an honor to perform for Obion's finale literacy celebration. This has been the most funfilled and rewarding summer reading tour of my 16 year career. I'm very happy to see so many children reading so many books. A big thank you to Ms. Barnes and her staff for including me! Joel Wow...360 people showed up. Ms. Barnes and the other librarians must work really hard to corral that many children for a summer reading program. The Singing Cowboy and I had a great time. And knowone poked or squeezed my nose! Joel picked Cailynn to feed me. She mashed up some apple sauce and it was delicious. Cailynn laughed at all of our jokes. She was a perfect volunteer. When she smiled, I noticed she had all of her teeth. But at second glance I could see a baby tooth was missing on the bottom row. And you won't believe what I spied next. A grown-up's tooth had been planted where the baby tooth had been. I didn't want to accuse her of stealing the grown-up tooth since I didn't have any evidence. And besides, I always assume people are innocent until, or unless they are proven guilty. Who knows...maybe a dentist planted that tooth without her realizing it? But one thing is for certain...tooth thieves are working overtime these days. Everywhere we go I notice people with missing teeth. The strange thing about this tooth case is that the thieves aren't just stealing teeth with silver and gold. They are taking innocent little children's front teeth. And while they are sleeping at that. One child told me that a tooth fairy had taken hers at night. Boy, did I play a sneaky trick today. I figured out a way to check the teeth of all of the children in the audience. I asked Cailynn and the Singing Cowboy to guess how many people were in the audience. Then I asked everyone to smile so Joel and Cailynn could count their teeth. That gave me the opportunity to examine a lot of teeth all at one time. I have a super-computer brain you know, and I'm filing images of teeth so I can match up and return the stolen ones to their rightful owners. Justice will be served, or I'm not a great, great, great, grandson of a proud sire that carried a Texas Ranger! This case is a great mystery. But never fear! I intend to crack it. Not the tooth, but the case.You bet your horse shoes, Buster Bronco 7/13/07 Gardner School - Before this morning's show started I heard a teacher say, "kriss-cross apple sauce!" Now that got my attention. I almost popped out of the trailer with excitement. You see...apple sauce is one of my most favorite desserts. When the Singing Cowboy finally introduced me to the children, I was so hungry I almost ate a pink flower off the top of a little girl's head. I said, "Can I have a bite of that flower young lady?" She frowned at me and answered, "that's not a flower, silly Buster. It's a ribbon!" "An onion?" I asked. "No, Buster," she answered, "I said: a ribbon." I was hoping she had said onion because I like wild onions in my pasture grass salad. Singing Cowboy and I saw a lot of our saddle pals that we know from the local Chick-fil-A and Mexicali Grill shows there. It was good to see the children's smiling faces again. We sang, danced and laughed a lot. Everything was going just fine until that inevitable moment...a girl scrunched my nose! I'm thinking about getting a Titan's football helment to protect my tender muzzle. But later everybody wanted to hug me and that made my nose and the life of a talking horse a lot better. See you later, Buster Bronco Buster and I had a great time.The teachers and Ms. Kelly sure love their students. And when Buster was loading in the trailer, all the children kept wanting to hug and shake his hoof some more. I smiled, thanked them for their kindness and announced, "Buster Bronco has left the building!" Your friend, Joel  Care A Lot Pre-K Hendersonville, TN 7/12/07 Care A Lot Preschool - Hey everybody...it's me again, Buster Bronco! I'm back in Tennessee and I'm still doing what a talking horse is supposed to do...bugging the Singing Cowboy
and entertaining children. We returned two days ago from a whirl-wind
library tour in Utah. We never skipped a beat. My trailer gate
swung open, I landed on all fours, and we hit the ground running
again. What a loco life we lead!
Boy-oh-boy am I looking forward to some "me" time when I can run and play in the pasture awhile. Mmm...can't you just smell sweet knee-high grass and honeysuckle blossoms? And a roll in the dirt would sure do my back and body good. Meanwhile...this morning I met a corral full of charming children at Ms. Donna's preschool. The Singing Cowboy said they were respectful. A sweet cowgirl named Alaina squeezed some fresh apple sauce for me. I don't know if you'd call that respectful, but I'd call it delicious. I like apples, but oh...how I crave apple sauce. Speaking of sqeezing...a girl named Kensi sqeezed my nose. That's one of the more dangerous aspects of working with the Cowboy. Our life isn't all glamour and roses you know. But I'm tough and I am the perfect horse for the job. So, I took a deep breath, ignored the stinging, throbbing pain and did what most horses would've done. I reached over to take a bite out of her hair. Singing Cowboy didn't like that move one bit. You guessed it, I had to tell her I was sorry. While I finished a half-hearted appology, I noticed an annoying tickle in my right ear. It was an all too familiar tickle. It was non other than the old, tick-driving-me-crazy kind of tickle. So I did what any respectable talking horse would've done. I rubbed my right ear up against Kensi's head and begged her to catch the pesky little bloodsucking critter. She snatched it between two finger nails, pretending to eat it. The other children howled with laughter. Did I mention Crockett and Creeson yet? They are brothers and they took my teasing really well. I called them rug rats. And thankfully they forgave me. I saw two sisters, too. That must be fun going to school with your hermano or your hermana. Next, Joel pulled out his banjo and plucked a twangy tune. He announced, "Here's a cowboy song that's over a hundred years old. It's a crusty, dusty old song." Inspiration must have hit him like a swarm of summer bees. Singing Cowboy asked Ms Donna for a piece of paper and a pen. And away he scribbled with another crazy idea for a song. Before long he had those children dropping ideas and rhymes like: musty, moldy, soggy, and saucy. It became a song about a cookie shaped like a cowboy made with rotten ostrich eggs. When Joel finds time to finish and record it in his studio, I would imagine he will add it to the show. Just what we need...another crusty,dusty, musty, moldy old song! Buster Bronco (I'll be adding the Nolensville, more Utah libraries and earlier Tennessee libraries asap) Joel 7/7/07 Kearns Library - Psst...it's me again, Buster Bronco. The cowboy and I were pleasantly surprised to see Haven and Kelln at the Kearns Library. We met them last week at the Sandy Library. Haven seems to have the same problem I have though. She's missing a few teeth. I'm beginning to think there may be an organized ring of tooth thieves on the loose. I have no evidence yet, but I'm very busy looking for clues. One thing is for sure...the children in Kearns all brush their teeth. I know, because I was eyeing all of their mouths when they were laughing. It was like a string of pearls glimmering on the Salt Lake seashores. Love, Buster It was good to be back at Kearns again. The librarians are super hospitable and they have a nice little theater. Many nice families attended, making it a warm, "livingroom concert" feel. Joel 6/28/07 Centerville Library - The Singing Cowboy and I were very impressed with this new library. First of all, there was a nice pad of grass beside the building where I could stretch out and graze. Mr. Anderson, the head librarian said he has seen deer grazing there, too. Bronwyn was the sweet seven year old girl that Joelito chose to have feed me. In case you're wondering, Joelito means: little Joel in Spanish. That's my new nick name for my boss. Bronwyn, Esther, Rachel and the rest of the children made our visit really special. For one thing, knowone squeezed my nose! Joelito surprised me when he asked if there were any ballerinas in the audience. His imagination must have been running wild, because ballet has not been a part of our summer show. Several girls and a couple little boys came up front to dance while Singing Cowboy poured his heart out singing his composition, "Paintbrush Ballet." I must admit, it's a pretty cool site to behold when Joel get's lost in a spontaneous moment. And those talented children were leaping, spinning and rising on their toes like they were on stage dancing to the Utah Symphony. Adios Amigos, Buster Bronco Mr. Anderson and the new children's librarian sure made us feel at home. This is trully a magnificent new library. The stain-glass windows and the children's reading-tree corner are special highlights for the young ones. Joel 6/21/07 Art Circle Library - Buster and I had a blast with the children and another one of Tennessee's passionate librarians, Ms.Dalton! Six year old, Daniel gave us a new joke: What do you have when your head is hot, your feet are cold and you see spots in front of your eyes?... A polka-dot sock over your head! Thanks everyone, Joel The Singing Cowboy and I met some very respectful reading wranglers today. And what will they think of next? A toddler in the front row had a Spider Man cell phone and it kept ringing like a real one. Singing Cowboy asked the boy if he could talk to Spider Man. Joel put the phone to his ear and said, "Hello, Spider Man, this is The Singing Cowboy. How are you? Good. Say, I'm right in the middle of a summer reading show and it's not polite to use a cell phone in the library, especially during a program, so let me call you later. Another one of Cowboy's crazy spontaneous moments...Buster 6/21/07 White County Library - First class service! Ms. Jetter was waiting out front to direct me to the performance area...aka, the High School gym. Sally Jetter is a very thoughtful children's librarian and a craft expert with the children! Ms.Cathy Farley, the head librarian appeared with a mile-wide smile, and a dynamic dose of optimism. Since I highlight the Hispanic influence on cowboys, I was glad to see her doning a sombrero. I met my little friend, Nicholas from Cookeville again, too. He offered this funny joke: What do you get when you drop a piano out of a helicopter on an Army Base?... A flat major. What do you get when you drop a piano down a mine shaft?... A flat minor. All of the children listened respectfully! Joel Boy did they spoil The Singing Cowboy and me today. Ms. Jetter escourted us directly to the backstage area for an easy load-in. Two hundred and fifty children laughed and sang with us! Ms.Farley and her niece are going to Washington D.C. tomorrow, so I asked Joel if I could go. I really want to see that important city and give some of those "big city" politicians some fresh ideas...straight from the horses mouth so-to-speak. But Joel popped my balloon when he denied my request. So, quickly back down to earth I descended. It's back to business as usual. In other words, I'll be back in the trailer and off merrilly to another library tomorrow...Buster Bronco 6/20/07 Inglewood Library - Five minutes into my show a confident three year old boy, Ian, stepped up unannounced and exclaimed, "I want to sing a song!" Well, I thrive on spontaneity, so I answered, "Ok, let's write a song together." But Ian suggested we sing a Johnny Cash song instead. I picked the lead intro to "Folsom Prison" on my guitar, but Ian interrupted, "No, not that Johnny Cash song." Determined to maintain control of the show, all the while giving Ian his moment of glory, I tried again. This time I broke into "Ring of Fire." Ian sang along as I made up new lyrics. After the show I added a few more: Books are an amazing thing - and they make my mind sing Bound by thread and twine - this book's got me in a bind I fell into a book full of adventures - I went down, down, down and joined librarians and teachers - And I'm hooked, hooked, hooked by the love of reading...reading books Books take me a lot of places - where I see many different faces I'm going around the world and back again - Now books are some of my best friends We applauded Ian, invited him to return to his little carpet square and carried on as if it was all planned. It was great working with Linda Anderson, Jan and all the Inglewood community again. 6/20/07 Spring Hill Library - What a thrill to perform in the newly remodeled and enlarged library in the community where I live! Ms. Pam Pickering and her crew keep it as clean as the bowl of a hungry cow dog! We are keeping Dave Fulkerson, the director, in our thoughts as he recovers from his recent heart surgeries. My horse, Buster Bronco, learned a new joke and he wants to tell it to you now: Knock, knock! Who's there? Doris! Doris who? Doris open...come on in! That one got me in the belly and the Singing Cowboy cracked up too. I liked the children in Spring Hill. Knowone pulled my main or tail. Quite a few parents and infants attended the show, so Joel fired up his P.A. system. I think P.A. stands for Pony Assistance...Buster Bronco  6/19/07 Auburntown Library - I felt right at home in this old-fashioned community...most everyone attending owned a horse! This town was so small, Joel missed it and had to turn around. I felt a bit trailer-sick after the u-turn. There weren't any stop signs or signals, just a post office and a compact beauty salon...Buster Bronco Ms.Stephanie Fuson and Ms. Kay showed real southern hospitality and all of the children and their parents were respectful and enthusiastic participants. A reading wrangler in the audience knew that cowboys had their roots in Mexico. It's funny how often children guess: China, Japan or England. If anyone wants to attend the National Finals Rodeo or the PBRA, or receive updates on professional rodeo cowboys, please speak with Stephanie...she is an avid rodeo supporter. We were thankful to receive much needed rain today in Tennessee! Smith Co. Library - A well attended, highly interactive group of children. The assistant librarians were very kind and the room had high ceilings and great acoustics. Smooth show partly due to a very attentive crowd...Joel As usual, Joel roped a herd of children after the show. For the life-of-me I can't figure out why kids like that so much...Buster Bronco 6/18/07 East Branch Library - A beautiful group of children attended with the help of the "Good Will" organization. Several kind families attended as well. One child thought cowboys had their roots in China...Joel Even the big kids wanted the Singing Cowboy to rope them...they must be gluttons for punishment...Buster Bronco 6/15/07 Parsons Library - The Magic Tree House was one of the books favored most by the reading wranglers at this special library...Joel Ms. Rebecca Parish brought the Singing Cowboy a big glass of cold water. All the while I was wishing she would bring me a big gulp of thirst quencher. I kept thinking Joel might pour a little bit of that clear gold in to his hat for me to slurp up. I practically baked from the heat. And I didn't get a drink until we finally road out of town and stopped at the Tennessee River!...Buster Bronco 6/15/07 Everett Horn Library - Ms.Dinnah Harris sure corraled a lot of people for her summer reading program! Joel Boy was I surprised when I spied two hundred-plus kids and parents in the library round-pen. Overall they were pretty charming. But there's almost always a surprise in the Cracker Jack Box. You guessed it...one charming little reading wrangler rung my nose good...I mean bad. Not only did she ring my nose, but she had to go and pull on it, too. But I'll load in the trailer and go back for more if and when the Singing Cowboy asks me...Buster Bronco  6/14/07 Magness Library - Ms.Mary Robbins has the same twinkle in her eye that my Great Grandma had. The first thing she did before introducing me was tell the children how special they were. Ms. Robbins speaks my language! She gave me the idea for this library journal and reference page..Thanks! Joel Joel and I knew this was going to be a special library when we walked up the steps and noticed the message carved in the stone front. It read: "Good books are guide posts on the road to happiness and knowledge." There were quite a few Hispanic families, so Joel and I sang some Spanish tunes. They loved, "Rancho Grande." Especially the part about hanging underwear on the clothes line...Buster Bronco More to come... |