Cowboys’ jobs are “24/7.” From the beginning of the cattledrive, until arrival at their destination, cowboys care for cattle, day and night, no matter what the weather conditions. Finally, one of the first things I think of the night stampede scenes with rain, lightening and thunder is the famous Frederick Remington painting of a stampeed. Bean’s use of viridian green in the nocturnal or night scenes is “dead on.” Viridian green is the color of light at night, and Bean uses it to enhance those scenes. The illustrations are also monocromatic or multicolored. The art resembles silkscreening, which I learned about in art school. He also uses drawing materials such as pastels or pencil, both colored and dark gray. Ray: What immediately strikes me is Bean’s use of spray paint and stencils. What do you think of Bean’s art? How do you think he creates the images? Bean also includes different types of cowboys on different pages. That really brings the lives of cowboys into the present day. The cowboy sleeping in bed is bald the radio has a digital clock keys hang on a hook by the bed a photo of an adult and child is on the wall, Finally, a tube of toothpaste, a bar of soap and a cup with a toothbrush and razor are on the windowsill. The title page (which sometimes readers pass over quickly) is rich. Bean carefully chooses colors that highlight the exciting but also sad parts of cowboys’ lives. Prisca: Yes, I love Bean’s art and can’t help but pour over it. There are details in the artwork that need close inspection to fully understand the true nature of the life of a cowboy. The artwork is done in a different yet creative and beautiful style. The written text is so informative and poetic. However, this book shows a different and realistic side to what cowboys are really like. Ray: My image of cowboys is from my youth, the black and white TV shows of the 1950s and 1960s and movies starring John Wayne. It’s an amazing and important book! I’m sure my image of cowboys before this book is similar to that of others. Real cowboys also “are as may different colors as the earth” and “are girls, too.” Kate Hoefler and Jonathan Bean provide insights into the diverse lives of cowboys. They sing lullabies, ask for help, want peace, get homesick and cry. While cowboys in this book are as tough and hardworking as I expect, they’re also gentle, patient and good listeners. Prisca: My image of cowboys, which I admit is primarily from television, shatters with Real Cowboys.

This week, Prisca and Ray continue our theme and examine who cowboys are with a fresh perspective from this book. Real Cowboys by Kate Hoefler and Jonathan Bean is a picturebook that illustrates cowboys in their daily lives.

Real cowboys by kate hoefler