We continued our reading across the USA in the southwestern states. This region has a piece of our hearts - one of our older sons and his family live in Texas and used to live in New Mexico. It is an area of the United States that we have visited more frequently in recent years that other areas.

I started collecting our picture books for this study about a year in advance. On one of our trips to visit our family, we stopped by a used book store in Amarillo. I found Chasin’ Rustlers there. It is one title in a series on ranch life. The author, Lummy or “Dr. Geneva Priddy, understands well the world of horses, cattle, and the country way of life. The 10th of 13 children, she grew up on a New Mexico ranch where she learned early the value of work. Material for her childrens books comes from two sources; bedtime stories told to her grandchildren and the childrens activities on the ranch. Beautifully illustrated, her writings depict the work ethic and values held in high esteem by those fortunate enough to be country folk. Having been in the field of education for the past 45 years, Dr. Priddy currently teaches art at Cal Farleys Boys Ranch. She resides on a working cattle ranch on the Canadian River near Amarillo, Texas, where her time is devoted to grandchildren, cattle, art, and writing.”
Google Books

I have searched for more of Priddy’s books; I think our TX family would enjoy them as they too live a ranching life. But additional books and even information on Dr. Priddy is difficulty to find. It you happen about one of her titles, pick it up. Her writing gives a lovely glimpse into this region and particularly the family lifestyle of those who ranch.

Oklahoma: Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Smith, Illustrators Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
Texas: Chasin’ Rustlers by Lummy, Illustrator
New Mexico: Southwest Sunrise by Nikki Grimes, Illustrator Wendell Minor
Arizona: Amigo by Byrd Baylor Schweitzer, Illustrator Garth Williams

Picture Book Lists For Other Regions

New England and Mid Atlantic States Picture Book List
Southern States Picture Book List
Midwest States Picture Book List
Rocky Mountain States Picture Book List
Pacific States Picture Book List

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