Little Britches (book) facts for kids
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Author | Ralph Moody |
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Illustrator | Edward Shenton |
Cover artist | Jungsun Whang |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Children's novel, Biographical novel |
Publisher | BisonBooks |
Publication date
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August 14, 1950 |
Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
Pages | 260 |
ISBN | 0-8032-8178-1 |
Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers is a true story about the early life of Ralph Moody. He wrote about growing up near Littleton, Colorado. This book is the first in a very popular series about Ralph's adventures. It has been printed non-stop since 1950, meaning people have loved reading it for over 70 years!
Ralph Moody shares many important lessons in his book. One big lesson is about water rights. This means who gets to use water from rivers or wells. It was a huge challenge for people living in the countryside.
The story takes place between 1906 and 1910. Ralph was eight years old when his family moved to Colorado. He was only eleven when his father passed away.
This exciting book was even made into a movie! It became the Disney film The Wild Country in 1970.
Contents
About the Author, Ralph Moody
Ralph Moody was born in 1898 and lived until 1982. He was a talented writer who shared his own life experiences. His books help us understand what life was like long ago.
Growing Up on a Ranch
Ralph's family moved to a ranch in Colorado. Life on a ranch was very different back then. There were many challenges and exciting moments. Ralph learned a lot from his father during these years.
Learning Important Lessons
Ralph's father taught him about hard work and honesty. He also learned about taking care of animals. These lessons helped Ralph become a strong and capable person. The book shows how important family support is.
Life on the Colorado Ranch
Moving to Colorado meant a big change for Ralph. The family had to learn how to ranch. This included raising animals and growing crops. It was a tough but rewarding way of life.
Understanding Water Rights
In dry places like Colorado, water is very precious. Water rights decide who can use the water. This was a big deal for ranchers. They needed water for their animals and crops to survive. Ralph's book shows how important these rules were.
Daily Challenges and Adventures
Life on the ranch was full of daily tasks. Ralph helped with chores and learned new skills. He also had many adventures. The book is filled with stories of his childhood experiences.
The Book's Legacy
Little Britches has touched many readers. It is loved by people of all ages. The book helps us imagine what life was like in the early 1900s. It shows the strength of family bonds.
From Book to Film
The story of Little Britches was so popular that Disney made it into a movie. The Wild Country brought Ralph's adventures to the big screen. This shows how much people enjoyed his true story.