Rhea's Rodeo

by Laekan Zea Kemp, Raissa Figueroa (Illustrator)

Saddle up! This joy-filled story-about family traditions, fierce competitions, female bravado, and the real meaning of triumph-is sure to win your heart.Rhea LOVES Rodeo Day!She loves the boots and buckles and ruffles. She loves riding her trusted steed, Galleta, alongside her mighty girl teammates. But more than anything, Rhea likes to WIN! As she and her friends stampede through the arena, Rhea can almost taste victory. But will she be able to get back in the saddle if they don't take home the coveted trophy?RHEA'S RODEO celebrates the rich tradition of Escaramuza Charra, women's Mexican rodeo, and is for everyone looking feel-good stories with depth and emotion-feminist stories-character-driven stories-great read-alouds-books that center the Latine experience-horse stories-sports stories-themes of teamwork, competition, managing emotions, and dealing with defeat and disappointment

Genres: Picture Books, Cultural, Childrens, Animals

48 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Laekan Zea Kemp is a writer living in Austin, Texas. Her debut novel, Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet was a 2022 Pura Belpré Honor Recipient. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health.

Find her on social media @LaekanZeaKemp
http://www.laekanzeakemp.com/

Reviews

[Chazzity ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading books where I get to learn about my culture, reading books where the little girls smile and look like me, and I love a book that runs deep into the roots of our culture and portrays the very essence of it. Also, a book with an abuela 🥹 always hits home for me.

So Rhea’s Rodeo introduces readers into the word of Escaramuza of Charrería, or Mexican Rodeo. Escaramuza is a Mexican sport and the only female event, where woman and girls perform synchronized routines on horseback in amazing outfits. These young girls and women take pride in this sport that pays respect and remembrance to the soldaderas, or the Adelitas, who fought bravely alongside men in the Mexican Revolution, who used their skills on horseback to increase morale and even choreographed formations to distract the enemy soldiers.
Truly amazing read and children’s selection!

“Being the best is not the same as doing your best,” Abuela said. Did you do your best?”

“Some trophies are too big to hold” 🥹❤️

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers come along to learn about Escaramuza Charra - Women's Mexican rodeo. Kemp works the history through the story at the same time as emphasizing that doing your best is not the same as being the best. Rhea definitely wants her team to win but some things go wrong. We see her experience deep disappointment and show characteristics of a poor loser. Her family surrounds her and shows her that they all are still proud of her and still love her and there will be other opportunities.
I appreciate the way the author uses descriptive words to share information about these rodeos with readers. She also includes a glossary and informative historical text at the end.

[S.K. O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vibrant Celebration of Culture and Heart!

I loved, loved, loved this book! From the very first page, the storyline pulls you in with such high, vibrant energy. It is a beautiful tribute to cultural traditions, and the deep family connections throughout the story really warmed my heart.

One of my favorite aspects was the seamless incorporation of Spanglish—it felt so natural and added such a rich layer to the narrative. Beyond the fun of the rodeo, there is a wonderful "lesson" learned and a truly beautiful message about sportsmanship that is perfect for young readers.

The illustrations are just as lively as the prose. I cannot wait to share this with the children, and I will definitely be looking out for more from both Laekan Zea Kemp and this illustrator in the future!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning!

In story and color illustration, the book is simply stunning- the work of Kemp and Figueroa to provide a look at the tradition of women's rodeo in Mexico that features girls in costume showing their skill and control on horses to music.

And the fact that the book isn't about success and winning- it's about giving your best is probably the best gift this book gives to it's readers. The book gives us its all with heart, warmth, culture, and traditions.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and exciting story about Rhea, Mexican girl who competes in the Escaramuza Charra, an all-female Mexican rodeo event. She and her sisters get ready with the colorful costumes and do the complicated steps with their horses, but when things don't go well, she learns an important lesson. With vibrant illustrations, Spanish words mixed in with English (with a glossary at the end), the reader is immersed in a dynamic and interesting world.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colorful story about a girl who does Escaramuza at a rodeo with her team. They try thwie best and she is afraid they will lose. The story shows that winners are about trying your best, and being proud of what you accomplish. Not trophies. I didn't know about this tradition and I felt like this was a wonderful way to learn. The images show how the show goes, the outfits and what happens during the event. It's a great addition to picture books that teach kids to keep trying

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a competitor in the annual Rodeo Day, a girl learns what it truly means to be a winner when her Charreria team loses. Along the way, readers are introduced to the rich traditions of Escaramuza Charra, the only event for females in Mexican rodeo. Digital illustrations are full of color, vitality, and “brio.” End pages include a brief history of Escaramuza, a fascinating interview with the U.S. National Queen and Ambassador for Charreria, and a glossary of Spanish terms mentioned in the story.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Scholastic, for the advanced reader copy!

This was such a cute bilingual picture book. The illustrations and the story were charming and bright, and I loved the labeled dress at the end of the book to see what each piece of Rhea's outfit was. This will be a great addition for English-Spanish juv collections.

[Ann Arey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review based on a GoodReads giveaway. This is a Beautiful book. The lesson of what is really important was nicely delivered. Being competitive shouldn't shadow what is truly important. The illustrations were amazing and I absolutely loved the glossary at the end of the book, along with the Q and A session. Fantastically done! This one will be read time and time again.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brightly colored illustrations paired with a story that will resonate with kids whether or not they’re familiar with the depicted event - not having things go the way you want, being a good loser, trying your best is winning. Great back material about the rodeo event, glossary and an illustration of the girls’ outfit with the Spanish and English words.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhea loves riding in the rodeo, wearing her escaramuza charra dress, sitting in her abuela's saddle, wearing a sombrero like her mother's, performing with her best friends.

But when things go wrong, and they don't win the competition, Rhea is upset. Her abuela quietly teaches her what really matters...doing YOUR best!

[ebigeyl wells]

staff rec blurb, march 26: A celebration of escaramuza, family, and girl power! Rooted in the Mexican tradition of Charrería, Rhea's Rodeo explores what it means to find strength in vulnerability, leaning on loved ones to help you through life's obstacles. Winners get back on the saddle!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite!

[elstaffe]

This author's storytelling style is not for me, but I enjoyed learning about escaramuza (and, as always, I enjoyed Raissa Figueroa's art).