Ozark Publishing

Children's Bookwatch, April, 2005

Ozark Publishing

PO Box 228, Prairie Grove, AR 72753

1-800-321-5671

Sargent, Pat

Sargent, Dave

Lenoir, Jane

Ozark's character development books represent something new for very early readers: each book uses animals and stories to emphasize a character-building point, juxtaposing a color drawing-enhanced story with a basic lesson for grades 2-3. The 'Colorado Cowboy' series by Dave and Pat Sargent enjoys drawings by Jane Lenoir and provides cowboy adventures with the character lesson sentence printed on the cover of each book. Thus character-building stories are offered in Buying Heifers (1593810962, $16.80) with the lesson 'don't give up, Broken Cinch (159-3810946, $16.80) about staying neat; Breaking Horses (159381092X, $16.80) with the lesson on sticking to the job; Branding Time (1593810180, $16.80) about teamwork; The Fire (1593811047, $16.80) on giving second chances; The Drought (1593811020, $16.80) on having faith; Colorado Blizzard (1593810261, $16.80) on perseverance; The Chuck Wagon (1593810989, $16.80) about stubbronness; Cattle Rustlers (1593811004, $16.80) about stealing; and Calving Time (1593810202, $16.80), covering lessons. Any youngster interested in cowboys will readily absorb the lessons while learning more about cowboy jobs. This isn't the only character-building series by Ozark, however. Dave and Pat Sargent's 'Young Animal Pride Series ($9.95 each) are realistically and engaging illustrated by Elaine Woodward and are intended for grades K-1 with very simple one-line sentences illustrating animal habits and easy character-building messages, again featured on each cover. Thus, choose from Young Peggy (1567638872) about a young porcupine who wanders off; Young Tunnel King (156763883X) telling of a gopher's perseverance, Young Amy (156-7638910) about an anteater who needs to pay attention; Young Bandit (1567638-899) about a weasel who helps others; Young Bobby (1567638813) offering a lesson on following others; Young Chrissy (1567638759) teaching the importance of obeying parents; Young White Thunder (1567638732) about leadership; Young Dawn (1567638775) on a deer's friendships; Young Sammy (1256763891) about a skunk who smells; and Young Big Jake (1567638856) about a curious baby mouse overly confident. Nor do the publisher's offerings stop here: Daina Sargent and illustrator Jane Lenoir work together on the 'Double Trouble' stories of twins Matt and Liz who travel through time to early states and learn lessons on teamwork in Missouri (1593811268) and on conquering fear in Kansas (1593811241); Pat L. Sargent and Janet Lenoir provide The Cheetah (1567639739, $18.50) for older grades 2-4 which has only black and white drawings but covers a cheetah's confrontation; and the publisher's 'Story Keepers Stories' ($9.95 each/$226.00 for 10/vol set) teaches learning skills in 42-page books for grades 2-4 using Native American stories with Dave and Pat Sargent and Sue Rogers (illustrated by Jane Lenoir)'s Fierce Warriors (1567639151) to teach character development; showing respect Truth, Power And Freedom (1567639-399); being responsible Bundle Keeper (1567639372), being giving Tattoos Of Honor (1567639356), compassion Summer Milky Way (156763933X), learning lessons Rays Of The Sun (1567639313), using talent On The Banks Of The Wallowa (1567639275), being curious Ladder At The Door (1567639216) and being helpful Valley Oak Acorns (1567639410). Excellent lessons go beyond the usual moral story alone to embed the message in stories which teach skills or cultural lessons as well.