Cowboy and Cowgirl Books for Kids · 173 titles considered

The Best Cowboy and Cowgirl Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors
Updated July 27, 2026

Few subjects invite make-believe as quickly as cowboys and cowgirls. A hat, a broomstick horse, and a little imagination are enough to set off for a world of cattle drives, campfires, rodeos, dusty trails, and wide-open skies.

Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 173 cowboy and cowgirl books, our editors looked first for stories children will want to hear or read again: lively read-alouds, classic tall tales, ranch adventures, horse stories, and approachable first chapters. Start with our 10 favorites, then mosey through the collection by age and reading stage.

Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg
Series
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Cowboy and Cowgirl Books

Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2013

Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg

By Lori Mortensen, Michael Allen Austin (Illustrator) · Cowpoke Clyde series

A muddy dog escapes, sparking a wild chase full of surprises and chaos.

32 pages· 577 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
Best for
A rowdy, rhyme-filled read-aloud
4.6/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 390 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Board Book · Ages 3–7 · 1949

Cowboy Small

A cowboy and his horse tackle the range and enjoy life under the stars.

32 pages
Best for
A classic first look at cowboy work
4.5/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 483 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Board book
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2014

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up

An aspiring cowboy finally finds his horse — a stubborn, affectionate mare named Maybelline.

96 pages· 5,933 words· Est. 1 hour read
Best for
A warm, funny first chapter book
4.0/5 Goodreads · 3,662 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1997

Ghost Town at Sundown

Two siblings travel through time and space to solve a mystery in the Wild West

96 pages· 6,451 words· Est. 1 hour read
Best for
A familiar series entry with Wild West thrills
7.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 14,996 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2011

Tornado Slim and the Magic Cowboy Hat

A cowboy's journey with a magical hat leads to unexpected chaos.

36 pages· 1,103 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
Best for
A cowboy adventure with magical mayhem
4.8/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 205 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

My Daddy Is a Cowboy

A girl discovers her inner cowboy during a dawn ride with her father.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2025)Caldecott Honor (2025)Coretta Scott King Award (2025)
48 pages· 981 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
Best for
A tender father-daughter horse ride
4.2/5 Goodreads · 830 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2003

Thunder Rose

By Jerdine Nolen, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

A larger-than-life cowgirl lassoes lightning, names cattle, and faces a storm with song.

32 pages· 2,000 words· Est. 16 min read-aloud
Best for
A jubilant cowgirl tall tale
4.0/5 Goodreads · 711 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2000

Cindy Ellen

By Susan Lowell, Jane Manning (Illustrator)

A cowgirl's grit and a fairy's magic turn a rodeo into a fairytale showdown.

40 pages
Best for
Fairy-tale fans with plenty of gumption
5.0/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 988 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1986

Pecos Bill

By Steven Kellogg, Laura Robb (Illustrator)

A legendary cowboy tames the wild West and wins hearts.

48 pages· 1,205 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
Best for
A classic, wildly exaggerated tall tale
3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,012 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

The Nerviest Girl in the World

A ranch girl secretly becomes a daring stunt performer in silent films.

208 pages· 30,765 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
Best for
A longer adventure for horse-loving readers
4.1/5 Goodreads · 692 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
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Cowboy Board Books for Little Buckaroos

Sturdy first rides filled with boots, horses, ranch routines, and friendly Western vocabulary — cowboy books for ages 0–3.

Giddy Up, Li'l Buckaroos!

Ages 1–4 · 2011

A young buckaroo and his dog ride through a day of adventure and fun.

Farm

Ages 0–3 · 2017

Discover what each vehicle is up to beneath the flaps.

V Is for Vittles

Ages 0–3 · 2016

Discover the ABCs through the wild and adventurous Wild West.

My Nap, Mi Siesta

Ages 0–4 · 2022

Discover the perfect siesta spots with Coco Rocho in a bilingual adventure.

Good Night Cowboys

Ages 0–3 · 2016

Embark on a Wild West adventure with cowboys and discover the secrets of the frontier.

Texas Baby

Ages 0–4 · 2014

Discover Texas through the eyes of lively tots.

Cowboy Camp
Sale price
$695

Cowboy Camp

Ages 0–3 · 2005

A camp bully challenges Avery to prove his cowboy courage in an unexpected way.

View all cowboy board books
Browse by age

Cowboy and Cowgirl Picture Books

Funny chases, spirited cowgirls, classic tall tales, and larger-than-life Western adventures for read-aloud fans ages 3–8.

Armadillo Rodeo

Ages 4–8 · 1995

A near-sighted armadillo embarks on a wild chase after a mysterious red figure.

Lorraine

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A storm threatens, but can Lorraine find music within to weather it?

Blaze and the Mountain Lion

Ages 5–8

A boy and his horse face a mountain lion to save a calf.

The Hundred-Year Barn

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A red barn stands as a symbol of family, history, and enduring community bonds.

Let 'Er Buck!

Ages 7–10 · 2019

A cowboy defies odds at a 1911 rodeo, becoming the people's champion.

Charlie the Ranch Dog: Stuck in the Mud

Ages 4–8 · 2015

A basset hound and a calf are stuck in the mud. Can they escape?

Partners

Ages 6–9 · 2006

A cowgirl and her horse discover the essence of friendship.

Real Cowboys

Ages 4–7 · 2016

Discover the true, diverse lives of cowboys and cowgirls in the West.

School Days

Ages 6–9 · 2006

Cowgirl Kate faces school without her horse, Cocoa. Can their bond endure the separation?

The Gingerbread Cowboy

Ages 4–8 · 2006

A Gingerbread Cowboy races through the Wild West, but can he outsmart a cunning coyote?

Waynetta and the Cornstalk

Ages 4–8 · 2007

A desperate trade leads to unexpected magic on a struggling ranch.

Little Britches and the Rattlers
Sale price
$1699

Little Britches and the Rattlers

Ages 3–6 · 2008

A girl faces seven rattlesnakes on her way to a rodeo.

Browse by age

Cowboy Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Ranch mysteries, Wild West time travel, frontier adventures, and horse-loving heroes for independent readers ages 6–12.

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

Ages 8–11 · 1980

A dog named Hank investigates a murder on a ranch and gets into various misadventures.

Shake It Off

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Can Bria's milkshakes save the farm and help her fit in?

The Case of the Perfect Dog

Ages 8–11 · 2012

A new dog disrupts the ranch, challenging Hank's place in the pack. Can he prove his worth?

The Case of the Coyote Invasion

Ages 8–12 · 2010

Hank must stop a coyote invasion and mend fences with Sally May.

The Case of the Secret Weapon

Ages 8–11 · 2010

A burglar with a stinky secret weapon threatens the ranch. Can Hank stop him?

The Case of the Dinosaur Birds

Ages 8–11 · 2009

Ranch security faces a prehistoric invasion when scraps vanish mysteriously.

The Case of the Blazing Sky

Ages 8–11 · 2008

Hank must prevent prairie fires on a dry Texas ranch.

Sale price
$699

The Case of the Booby-Trapped Pickup

Ages 8–11 · 2012

A ranch dog's curiosity with a new truck leads to unexpected chaos.

The Case of the Haystack Kitties

Ages 8–11 · 1998

A cowdog faces chaos as cats invade his ranch. Can he reclaim control?

Sale price
$699

The Case of the Double Bumblebee Sting

Ages 8–11 · 2013

Hank's mysterious ailment tests Sally May's patience and compassion.

Sale price
$699

The Quest for the Great White Quail

Ages 8–11 · 2008

A dog must curb his chewing habit while searching for a missing rival.

Keep exploring
Books about cowboysBooks about cowgirlsBooks about rodeosBooks about cattle drivesBooks about cowboy cultureBooks about horsesBooks about ranch lifeFarm and ranch lifeBooks about the American WestBooks about the Wild WestBooks about frontier and pioneer lifeBooks about outlaws

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