Big Trouble in Little Spittle by Lucie Ebrey – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: fun-filled graphic novel adventure.
Children’s book title: Cowgirls and Dinosaurs: Big Trouble in Little Spittle by Lucie Ebrey.
Children’s author: Lucie Ebrey.
Genre: Graphic novel.
Published by: Piccadilly Press.
ISBN: 9781800788442.
Recommended for children aged: 9-12 year-olds.
First published: Paperback June 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: readers in KS2 and lower KS3.
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Our review:
In this fast-paced and funny graphic novel, Lucie Ebrey explores what it takes to be a true friend. Set on the American prairies in the sleepy fictional town of Little Spittle, where humans and dinosaurs (yes, dinosaurs!) live side by side, readers will be transported into a heartwarmingly hilarious read.
Abigail, AKA ‘The Sarsaparilla Kid’, is a cloaked vigilante who wants to maintain peace and harmony across the prairies of the Wild West with her dinosaur sidekick, Rootbeer. Despite growing up in a prison with her inmate father, Abigail is desperate to become the deputy sheriff of Little Spittle and will do anything to prove her worth to the Sheriff.
Clementine, Deputy Sheriff of Little Spittle and daughter of the Sheriff, is not a natural law enforcer; her kindness and empathy lead to all sorts of escapades involving Abigail, who at first is jealous of Clem’s position of power.
A sinister creature fell to earth in a meteorite centuries before and caused an almost mass extinction of life on Earth. However, some life survived, including dinosaurs, who lived side by side with humans. The meteorite and its passenger landed at the top of a volcano, encased in a protective amber-coated substance. Years later, a group of archaeologists discover a mysterious rhythmic sound in the volcano, leading them to the calcified heart, which immediately exudes a sinister force, causing the League of Sheriffs to hide it away under the sleepy town of Little Spittle, hoping it will be buried forever.
The adventures start when Clem is supposed to be supervising the Scugg brothers in their cells. The brothers stole the calcified heart for their sister, the Bandit Queen, who wants to achieve ultimate power by unleashing the beast within the volcano. However, unknown to Clem, the boys dig under the jailhouse to get the heart and then escape. Abigail, who has overheard their plans, captures and returns them to the Sheriff in a bid to become deputy, but is turned away.
Big Trouble in Little Spittle is a story about the girls finding the heart, capturing the bandits, and removing the evil dinosaur threat to life on Earth. Friendships are forged as the girls must work as a team to save Little Spittle from tragedy. Clem learns what it means to be a deputy, and Abigail learns how to work as part of a team in this fun-filled action-adventure story.
Many thanks to Piccadilly Press for the review copy.
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If you like Cowgirls and Dinosaurs: Big Trouble in Little Spittle by Lucie Ebrey you might also like our reviews of Stitch Head: the Graphic Novel by Guy Bass and Pete Williamson, Jawsome: Licence to Rock by R.J. Timmis, Scarygirl Film Tie-In: The Origin Story by Nathan Jurevicius, Peanut, Butter & Crackers: River Rescue by Paige Braddock and The Fantastic Electric Mash-up Machines: Obstacle Attack! by Tyler Byrd and N.S Blackman
Browse our list of graphic novels for KS2
