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One of a series of “Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa” adventures for young readers, School Days deals with Kate’s dilemma when school is once more in session. Horses are not welcome. There are four chapters: “Mary’s Lamb; “The Portrait”; “A New Friend”; and “A Report.”
In “Mary’s Lamb,” Cocoa refuses to be left behind when Cowgirl Kate rides the school bus on her first day back at school. After a long summer with Kate, Cocoa doesn’t understand why she must leave him behind. As Cocoa follows the bus down the lane, the other kids begin to sing, “Mary had a little lamb…” Embarrassed, Kate must convince her horse that the others will think she is a baby if he doesn’t go back. To her surprise, Cocoa quietly agrees, realizing the sooner she goes to school the sooner she will be home.
“The Portrait” is about Kate’s first homework assignment: paint a picture. Naturally, she chooses to paint Cocoa, but the task is made more difficult because the horse is her worst critic.
Jenny is Kate’s new playmate in “A New Friend,” but Cocoa won’t have anything to do with the girls. Afterwards, he tells Kate, “You have school. You have a new friend. Soon you will forget all about me.” With love and treats, Kate convinces her horse otherwise.
In the final story, “The Report,” Cowgirl Kate must write a report for her homework; she chooses to write about horses, of course. Coca helps as they describe all the attributes of the animal, most of all that “Horses like to play with their friends.”
In a simple format and with an ample supply of Betsy Lewin’s beloved and familiar illustrations, Cowgirl Kate addresses the beginning of her growing-up years and how change affects the long relationship between a girl and her pet. Through each story, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa work through the challenges as they arise, proving that although things may be different as Kate goes out into the world, the love between them remains as strong as ever, friends forever.
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Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days