Sarah Burell

It was a fortuitous day that Diamond Jim Daddy and the Sheriff arrived at the local post office for our family to read and review. We weren’t expecting it, but in the time that we have had it, this funny, Wild West tale with a twist has become a fast-favorite with all of my children.

When Diamond Jim Dandy – a peculiarly friendly rattlesnake slithers into town, he takes the good folks of Dustpan, Texas by surprise. Not much every happens there you see. The local sheriff has taken up babysitting to keep busy while the men hang out at the saloon and the ladies spend time at their sewing circle.

Diamond Jim is an immediate hit with the townsfolk. Odette is inspired to embroider a diamond on her bloomers (this cracks my children up every time), the children chase him around the schoolyard, and the men-folk are highly entertained by his rope tying tricks (done with his own body nonetheless). However, the faithful town sheriff sees his chance at some action and determines to boot that snake right out of town!

This book’s charm is hard to capture in words alone – it is laugh-out-loud funny, and never fails to send me into an animated southwestern accent. Try reading it without one – I think it’s impossible! It is so full of flavor, humor, and life – it might have a goofy premise, but this book is a big hit with all of my children, they ask for it again, and again, and yes – again.

If you live in snake-infested areas you will, of course, want to point out to your little ones that they should avoid most rattlers – not all of them are baby-rescuing heroes with winsome smiles and good looks like our friend Diamond Jim Dandy!

This is one dandy picture book for reading aloud, my smaller girls have recruited their big sister to read it to them once a day or so as well!

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com… (mehr)