The Legend of the Wild West Twins
Jodie Lancet-Grant and Katie Cottle
Oxford Children’s Books

Imagine a Wild West where every one of the inhabitants is a child. That’s the setting for this cleverly written adventure starring twin sisters Buffalo Lil and Buffalo Jill. The former is said to be the hardest ridin’ … fastest knickerbocker glory-guzzlin’ gal in town; her sister, she of the sweetest smile is the sewer of the frilliest frocks and baker of the tastiest iced buns in the vicinity of Lone Ridge.

Lone Ridge’s claim to fame was its hosting of the wildest cowboy contest in the West: the Rip- Roarin’ Rumble and for the first time, Lil has decided to enter. What will happen when she comes up against Lone Town’s hero Yee-Haw Jack, he with a reputation for long distance lasso-ing feats, acrobatics in the saddle and bucking bronco saddle sitting that’s almost unbelievably long lasting?

Into town rides the young guy certain he’s about to win the Rumble once again but Lil isn’t going to let him do so without giving it her all. Moreover, Jill has her back and keeps her beady eyes on Jack from the off. Pretty soon her suspicions start to arise.

Come nightfall she goes out to investigate and it’s evident that Jack is no hero, he’s a ‘low-down cheatin’ rattlsnake.’

Is it possible that by co-operating, the twins can expose Jack and his dastardly ways.

High octane humour with a plot that twists hither and thither, celebrates difference and demonstrates that honesty and being true to yourself are what matters most, whomsoever you are. Katie Cottle’s pictures have a potency all of their own and provide the perfect complement to the text.