Ralph Moody was eight years old in 1906 when his family moved from New Hampshire to a Colorado ranch. Through his eyes we experience the pleasures and perils of ranching there early in the 20th century. Auctions and roundups, family picnics, irrigation wars, tornadoes all give authentic color to the story.

“Howdy, pardner!” Do you have an active boy (or girl) who won’t sit still for Little House on the Prairie, and seems to long for something with a little more adventure to it? Nigel and I have found just the thing! In this inspiring series, Ralph Moody tells of his rugged childhood years in rural Colorado during the early part of the 20th century. Sometimes you forget you are reading about a little boy, and then it hits you . . . he’s only eight years old! Life on a little ranch in those days was no romantic picnic. In this first book alone, there are flooding rains, tornadoes, narrow escapes, cattle herding, broncobusting rodeos, mountain adventures, as well as hardships for families in desperate need of water and other basics. Simple joys and values were found in family life, obedience, accomplishment, respect for Mom and Dad, and the great outdoors!

The father-son relationship in this story stands in sharp contrast to the lax norms of modern times. Bravery, honesty, ingenuity, love, and morality are just some of the virtues waiting to be explored in this authentic look at our western American heritage. A rare “cuss” word is heard from the mouths of some of the rough characters we meet along the way. These are not glorified moments in Ralph’s memory, but rather sad ones. (During read-aloud time, you can edit these episodes as seems fitting.) Overall, this book offers a powerful tonic to today’s false values and frivolous entertainment. For ages 10 to adult (girls not excluded). 260 pages, softcover from Bison Books.

—Dean & Nigel

http://www.christianbook.com/little-britches-father-and-were-ranchers/ralph-moody/9780803281783/pd/281781

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