Little Britches - Father and I Were Ranchers is a work of fiction by Ralph Moody originally published in 1950. Purple House Press has done a reprint in 2017 of the bookin hardcover with 260 pages, and has the book listed at $21.95. Free printable coloring pages are available on their website. I counted nineteen black and white pictures inside the chapter book. The book still has an “old feel” with off-white pages and a font that looks less modern. The story was written with ages 9-14 in mind, though the story was interesting for my younger elementary child to hear as well.

I first heard of the Little Britches - Father and I Were Ranchers story a few years ago. My kids and I all listened to a read-aloud version while traveling, and we were hooked. It has all the elements to a great story and teaches so many character qualities I want my children to learn. When the opportunity to read and own my own copy came up, the kids and I were all excited. Purple House, Inc did a great job preserving the book in a suitable fashion. The original artwork by Edward Shenton is intact on both the dust jacket, hardcover, and throughout the story. The free downloadable coloring pages are six high resolution black and white drawings taken from the pages of the book, great for children who need something to keep their hands busy as they listen.

Purple House Press is dedicated to reprinting “long lost, but well-loved children’s books”. I spent a bit of time looking through the books that they offer, and I’m impressed. The stories they have chosen to reprint boast many titles I know and love. Some of them were books I have searched for at length for my preschool curriculum. If they do as well recreating the others as they did with Little Britches - Father and I Were Ranchers, they must be amazing.

I’m thrilled to own this republishing from Purple House Press. The book choice is excellent, the printing well done, the pages thick and stiff, and the binding tight. We’ll treasure this one for years to come.  

-Product review by Adrienne Falkena, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, September, 2018