Daris Howard - Super Cowboy Rides

Under Open Skies

Super Cowboy Rides

Advanced Praise

for SUPER COWBOY RIDES

The little boy, Tommy, reminds me of Calvin from the Calvin and

Hobbes comic strip by Bill Watterson because of his mischievousness. It is such a fun book to read!" -- Celese Sanders (syndicated columnist of Little Bits Of Life)

Super Cowboy Rides reminds me of when I was a boy and we would

visit my grandparents' farm in Utah where my cousins would try, in a loving way, to kill me. It has a ring of authenticity that could only be accomplished by growing up on a farm or ranch. I loved each chapter, but once I reached the end of the book I realized I had been taught some important lessons. This is a book that boys will love as well as girls who look for the good in everyone. -- Jack Weyland

(Author of Charlie and other Y.A. novels.)

"This is the perfect family trip read out loud book. You are on the edge of your seat the entire time wondering what this little cowboy will do next! We laughed so hard, and my 8-year-old kept begging me to not stop reading. This

book reels you in from the first page. We will be adding this fantastic book to our home library." -- Stephanie Ashcraft (New York Times best-selling author) In a style reminiscent of early Richard Peck, Daris Howard introduces us

to Tommy Johnson, super cowboy and super storyteller. The reader is invited to share in the many first-hand adventures of a five to six-year-old boy raised on a dairy farm in southeast Idaho during the economically hard 1960s. But our guide has everything any super cowboy could want: parent to love and guide him and

brothers to help him get into and out of trouble.

Tommys best trait is that he gives every project his best effort and many

times his heart. He catches untamed cats to helping his brother try out a new parachute design from the barn loft; he drags a reluctant bum lamb home from a generous neighbor and turns it into a best friend despite many unplanned for

bruises; and he morns a dear neighbors sudden death. He continuously touches our funny bones, and our hearts, as well as our memories of the innocence and insight of youth. -- Julie Clark (Childrens Literature Professor at BYU Idaho)

"Super Cowboy Rides" is a touching and well-written story that will cheer your day. Young readers will discover the past, and older readers reminisce amid tears and laughter as they follow the adventures of Tommy and Tippy. -- AnneBradshaw (Author of "Dingo" (a teenage mystery) and other books.)

"God Bless Daris Howard! He's conjured up a world that's almost gone

now, in these evocative tales of boyhood, back-in-the-day, in rural America. His stories, rich with honest sentiment, ring true. He not only remembers well what life was like in a simpler time, he shares it all with ease, and a fine eye for detail.

Now times may change, but human nature doesn't change. And his young

hero is learning lessons in life... I appreciate the warmth, the wit, and the solid values found in these nostalgic vignettes of American life. -- Chip Deffaa (Author of Voices of the Jazz Age (University of Illinois Press) and a dozen other published books and plays.)

What makes Daris stories so engaging is we can see something of

ourselves in Super Cowboy. Anyone who has grown up on a farm in a rural

setting has taken part in at least some of his adventures, but the events that surround little Tommy transcend the setting. Who hasnt loved a pet, felt

inadequate at school, or wondered where babies come from? I love the twists at the ends of the stories. Sunday School and The Witchs House will always be my favorites. Entertaining, poignant its a great book when we can laugh and cry and feel the better for it. -- Judy Dewey (Director Madison Library District

Rexburg, Idaho )

From a 2nd grade teacher and her students:

Teachers are always looking for a realistic way to teach children about

bullying. This is a great resource and a great story. This was such a fun book. -

Peggy Hawkins, Teacher, Lincoln Elementary

It was the best book I ever read. It was funny too. -- Kai

I liked it because it showed a hard life and because it was hilarious. I love Super Cowboy Rides. -- Elliana

Super Cowboy Rides was the best book I have ever heard. Super Cowboy Rides

is an awesome book. -- Kim

Under Open Skies

Super Cowboy Rides

by

Daris Howard

Publishing Inspiration - St. Anthony, Idaho

Publishing Inspiration

St. Anthony, Idaho

Copyright 2011 by Daris Howard

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including

photocopying, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval

system without the written consent of the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, organizations,

and incidents either are products of the authors imagination or are used

fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or

organizations is entirely coincidental.

Cover art by Mark McKenna

ISBN-10: 1629860026

ISBN-13: 978-1629860022

Manufactured in the United States Of America

www.publishinginspiration.com

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my wife and children. I

started writing stories for them, and this book is part of

the result of that effort. In particular, I dedicate it to my

oldest daughter, Celese. She is the first of my children

that I started writing stories for.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 A Pup Named Tippy

Chapter 2 Doing The Lamba Walk

Chapter 3 A Lamb Named Nosey

Chapter 4 Super Cowboy Rides

Chapter 5 Buttercups and Party Lines

Chapter 6 Tarzan

Chapter 7 Parachute Inventors

Chapter 8 Mighty Hunters

Chapter 9 Where Babies Come From

Chapter 11 The Witchs House

Chapter 12 Fourth of July

Chapter 13 School

Chapter 14 The Problem With Girls

Chapter 15 The Auction

Chapter 16 Brian Bearclaw

Chapter 17 Bossy

Chapter 18 Friends Forever

Chapter 20 Rodneys Gang

A Pup Named Tippy

Cats are dumb animals. The tame ones are, anyway. Most of the

cats around our farm are wild, but my sisters dress up the few that arent in little doll clothes, put them in wicker baskets, and take them for walks like they are babies. The cats put up with this, and thats why I know they are dumb animals.

You wouldnt find a dog putting up with that. Dogs are much smarter than cats.

I wanted a dog for as long as I can remember, which must be close to an

eternity. I dont know how long an eternity is, but I figure it must be about six years, since that is how old I am. Okay, so Im not six yet, but I will be come summer. Thats old enough to have a dog. I begged and pleaded with my Dad for a dog.

Why dont you go play with the cats? he asked.

Thats when I had to tell him that I think cats are dumb animals. Besides,