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The Legend of Lightning Larry
No outlaw could draw as fast as Lightning Larry. But what really terrified those bad men was that peculiar gun of his. It didn't shoot bullets. It shot light. And Larry always aimed for the heart.
Can Larry save the town of Brimstone from Evil-Eye McNeevil's outlaw gang? Find out in this rip-roaring original tale of a gunfighter with a huge smile and a hankering for lemonade.
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Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Adventures of Mouse Deer," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Baker's Dozen," and many more kids' books from major publishers. His stories have also appeared often in Cricket magazine.
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"A tall-tale superhero for our time. . . . A readaloud that could lighten up classes well up in the elementary grades." -- Kirkus Reviews, Mar. 1, 1993
"Pass out the bandanas and dig out the spittoon. Read this story in an old-timer's voice, and everyone will have a good time." -- Chris Sherman, American Library Association Booklist, Mar. 1, 1993
"Move over Wyatt Earp. Make room for a cowboy of a different caliber. A wide age range of listeners will request this one again and again." -- School Library Journal, Nov. 1993
"Perfect for telling or reading out loud." -- Katy Rydell, Stories, Spring 1993
"Introduces one amazing cowpoke. . . . Will have young listeners laughing out loud and asking you to 'read it again.'" -- Smithsonian, Nov. 1993
"Told in the spirited language of a true yarn-spinner, this is a rollicking picture book to warm the heart of just about everyone." -- Kids' Line, Summer 1993
"The old west is turned on its ear in this lighthearted tall tale. . . . Shepard's frontier vernacular manages to be both faithful to the genre and hilariously funny; the book reads aloud wonderfully. . . . Especially good for classroom use." -- Wendy E. Betts, The Web Online Review, Apr. 22, 1994
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SAMPLE
I'll never forget the day Larry rode into our little town of Brimstone and walked into the Cottonmouth Saloon. He strode up to the bar and smiled straight at the bartender.
"Lemonade, please," he said.
Every head in the place turned to look.
Now, standing next to Larry at the bar was Crooked Curt. Curt was one of a band of rustlers and thieves that had been terrorizing our town, led by a ferocious outlaw named Evil-Eye McNeevil.
Curt was wearing the usual outlaw scowl. Larry turned to him and smiled. "Mighty big frown you got there, mister," he said.
"What's it to you?" growled Curt.
"Well," said Larry, "maybe I could help remove it."
"I'd like to see you try!" said Curt.
The rest of us got out of the way, real fast. The bartender ducked behind the bar. Larry and Curt moved about ten paces from each other, hands at the ready. Larry was still smiling.
Curt moved first. But he only just cleared his gun from its holster before Larry aimed and fired.
Zing!
There was no bang and no bullet. Just a little bolt of light that hit Curt right in the heart.
Curt just stood there, his eyes wide with surprise. Then he dropped his gun, and a huge grin spread over his face. He rushed up to Larry and pumped his hand.
"I'm mighty glad to know you, stranger!" he shouted. "The drinks are on me! Lemonade for everyone!"
Can Larry save the town of Brimstone from Evil-Eye McNeevil's outlaw gang? Find out in this rip-roaring original tale of a gunfighter with a huge smile and a hankering for lemonade.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Adventures of Mouse Deer," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Baker's Dozen," and many more kids' books from major publishers. His stories have also appeared often in Cricket magazine.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
"A tall-tale superhero for our time. . . . A readaloud that could lighten up classes well up in the elementary grades." -- Kirkus Reviews, Mar. 1, 1993
"Pass out the bandanas and dig out the spittoon. Read this story in an old-timer's voice, and everyone will have a good time." -- Chris Sherman, American Library Association Booklist, Mar. 1, 1993
"Move over Wyatt Earp. Make room for a cowboy of a different caliber. A wide age range of listeners will request this one again and again." -- School Library Journal, Nov. 1993
"Perfect for telling or reading out loud." -- Katy Rydell, Stories, Spring 1993
"Introduces one amazing cowpoke. . . . Will have young listeners laughing out loud and asking you to 'read it again.'" -- Smithsonian, Nov. 1993
"Told in the spirited language of a true yarn-spinner, this is a rollicking picture book to warm the heart of just about everyone." -- Kids' Line, Summer 1993
"The old west is turned on its ear in this lighthearted tall tale. . . . Shepard's frontier vernacular manages to be both faithful to the genre and hilariously funny; the book reads aloud wonderfully. . . . Especially good for classroom use." -- Wendy E. Betts, The Web Online Review, Apr. 22, 1994
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
SAMPLE
I'll never forget the day Larry rode into our little town of Brimstone and walked into the Cottonmouth Saloon. He strode up to the bar and smiled straight at the bartender.
"Lemonade, please," he said.
Every head in the place turned to look.
Now, standing next to Larry at the bar was Crooked Curt. Curt was one of a band of rustlers and thieves that had been terrorizing our town, led by a ferocious outlaw named Evil-Eye McNeevil.
Curt was wearing the usual outlaw scowl. Larry turned to him and smiled. "Mighty big frown you got there, mister," he said.
"What's it to you?" growled Curt.
"Well," said Larry, "maybe I could help remove it."
"I'd like to see you try!" said Curt.
The rest of us got out of the way, real fast. The bartender ducked behind the bar. Larry and Curt moved about ten paces from each other, hands at the ready. Larry was still smiling.
Curt moved first. But he only just cleared his gun from its holster before Larry aimed and fired.
Zing!
There was no bang and no bullet. Just a little bolt of light that hit Curt right in the heart.
Curt just stood there, his eyes wide with surprise. Then he dropped his gun, and a huge grin spread over his face. He rushed up to Larry and pumped his hand.
"I'm mighty glad to know you, stranger!" he shouted. "The drinks are on me! Lemonade for everyone!"
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
50 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
32 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Shepard
102 books41 followersAaron Shepard is the author of many books, stories, and scripts for young people, as well as professional books and resources for writers and educators. He has also worked professionally in both storytelling and reader's theater, as a performer, director, and teacher trainer. Aaron's lively and meticulous retellings of folktales and other traditional literature have found homes with more than a dozen children's book publishers, large and small, and with the world's top children's literary magazines, winning him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. His extensive Web site, visited by thousands of teachers and librarians each week, is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater, while his stories and scripts have been featured in textbooks from publishers worldwide, including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, SRA, The College Board, Pearson Education, National Geographic, Oxford University Press, Barron's, Hodder Education, and McGraw-Hill.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 19, 2013
With his special light shooting guns Larry takes on the meanest and baddest of Brimstone one heart at a time. This does not sit well with Evil- Eye McNeevil. So it comes down to one final show down at the Okey- Dokey Corral. Shepard makes ample use of alliteration in coming up with a great multitude of outlaw names. This is a good read to turn a frown upside down.
To enjoy some more cowboy humor and see how one enterprising sheriff avoids the gun portion of a "gun" fight check out my story Big Bad Beetle Nose Bart https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...
To enjoy some more cowboy humor and see how one enterprising sheriff avoids the gun portion of a "gun" fight check out my story Big Bad Beetle Nose Bart https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...
June 13, 2020
LLL
This book was a great way to pass the time in quarantine. I especially enjoyed reading this in the early hours of the morning when I needed a refreshing laugh.
This book was a great way to pass the time in quarantine. I especially enjoyed reading this in the early hours of the morning when I needed a refreshing laugh.
August 20, 2012
Lightning Larry is a character straight out of an old west Hollywood film. He mysteriously shows up in the town of Brimstone one day, changes everyone's life and then, just as mysteriously, rides off into the sunset. "The Legend of Lightning Larry" is one of the books every boy should have on his bookshelf; girls will probably like the story too. Aaron Shepard is the author and Toni Goffe the illustrator of this children's book.
This story is one that flows easily from one situation to the next. The language is perfect for telling the story of an unknown cowboy who shows up in a dusty western town and changes everyone for the better. The right dose of silliness is included to make both parents and children chuckle and readers will cheer for Lightning Larry as he faces Evil-Eye McNeevil and his band of rustlers.
The illustrations are ideal and capture the tone of the story with accuracy and well-drawn images. Lightning Larry is a clean-cut cowboy with a bright yellow hat and neckerchief and the bad guys are all dirty and wear muted colors. Children will enjoy looking at the pictures and reading the story of Lightning Larry and his special gun.
Read more of this review in my children's fiction column:
http://www.examiner.com/review/review...
This story is one that flows easily from one situation to the next. The language is perfect for telling the story of an unknown cowboy who shows up in a dusty western town and changes everyone for the better. The right dose of silliness is included to make both parents and children chuckle and readers will cheer for Lightning Larry as he faces Evil-Eye McNeevil and his band of rustlers.
The illustrations are ideal and capture the tone of the story with accuracy and well-drawn images. Lightning Larry is a clean-cut cowboy with a bright yellow hat and neckerchief and the bad guys are all dirty and wear muted colors. Children will enjoy looking at the pictures and reading the story of Lightning Larry and his special gun.
Read more of this review in my children's fiction column:
http://www.examiner.com/review/review...
April 21, 2016
This one really left me lukewarm. While the idea of a “gunslinger” whose gun shoots lightning rather than bullets was cute, there was no real setup. I realize that the spaghetti Western trope of mysterious man who arrives and changes the town, then leaves without a word, is the basis for this book, my child wants to know why Larry has this special gun. What happens to the town?
I’m also bothered by the fact that Larry not only uses his special gun on the bad guys, but on the entire town. Forcing everyone to be happy and good makes me very, very nervous.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Guns (real and special), bank robberies, a bar, general mayhem.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like Westerns and mysterious strangers. The lower end of the target age range.
This review is also posted at http://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/20...
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ebook.
I’m also bothered by the fact that Larry not only uses his special gun on the bad guys, but on the entire town. Forcing everyone to be happy and good makes me very, very nervous.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Guns (real and special), bank robberies, a bar, general mayhem.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like Westerns and mysterious strangers. The lower end of the target age range.
This review is also posted at http://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/20...
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ebook.
November 24, 2013
"When Sparks Create Miracles"
This is one of the best illustrated children's books I've reviewed. I'm not keen on displaying humor to children about guns, but if a child over the age of 4 thinks he's a cowboy, he'll love this story. There certainly are great lessons in this book of how to change a person's negativity and meanness which can be related to the child reading this story. This is a tale of a good guy, who appears in Brimstone. He's Lightning Larry and he loves lemonade over the stouter popular drinks. Larry doesn't shoot bullets at the bad guys who try to accost him, he gives them a bolt of light which puts a grin on the guy's face and makes him nice! Just see what an electrifying smile can do? I enjoyed this story, and think it can be easily and safely shared with children.
This is one of the best illustrated children's books I've reviewed. I'm not keen on displaying humor to children about guns, but if a child over the age of 4 thinks he's a cowboy, he'll love this story. There certainly are great lessons in this book of how to change a person's negativity and meanness which can be related to the child reading this story. This is a tale of a good guy, who appears in Brimstone. He's Lightning Larry and he loves lemonade over the stouter popular drinks. Larry doesn't shoot bullets at the bad guys who try to accost him, he gives them a bolt of light which puts a grin on the guy's face and makes him nice! Just see what an electrifying smile can do? I enjoyed this story, and think it can be easily and safely shared with children.
April 20, 2016
A Goodhearted Tall Tale
This is the kind of project that could turn sappy in a heartbeat. But this book doesn't. Indeed, I thought it got sharper, more clever and funnier as it went on.
The author catches the feel and language of classic western tall tales, and the illustrator backs that up with energy and a certain rascally charm.
So, if you take to heart the lesson of "The Virginian" -- "Smile when you say that, pardner." -- this is an entertaining and subtly accomplished treat.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This is the kind of project that could turn sappy in a heartbeat. But this book doesn't. Indeed, I thought it got sharper, more clever and funnier as it went on.
The author catches the feel and language of classic western tall tales, and the illustrator backs that up with energy and a certain rascally charm.
So, if you take to heart the lesson of "The Virginian" -- "Smile when you say that, pardner." -- this is an entertaining and subtly accomplished treat.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
October 10, 2013
I just read this eBook the other day and thoroughly enjoyed it. The underlying message is very wonderful, and I will not spoil it for anyone. It is simply a must read for parents looking for a good book to read to kids at bedtime. A delightful story and the illustrations are quite beautifully done.
March 4, 2018
A very original children's tale that brings alive the saloons, townspeople, outlaws, and gun fights of the Old West with a new twist that should delight little readers. Lightning Larry is a different type of gunfighting hero, one that's easy to follow and who'll make you smile. Great illustrations accompany fun text. Recommended.
July 5, 2013
Loved this story - a perfect read with my 5 year old son! Highly recommended!
If you go to the author's website, you can listen to him read the story, but I'm happy to say my son preferred listening to me read it! ;-)
If you go to the author's website, you can listen to him read the story, but I'm happy to say my son preferred listening to me read it! ;-)
July 6, 2013
Excellent short read with great graphics for kids.
December 26, 2013
Cute
peace on earth, good Wil towards man. nice story of doing the right thing, changing hearts supernatural . good for Larry.
peace on earth, good Wil towards man. nice story of doing the right thing, changing hearts supernatural . good for Larry.
January 1, 2014
Great book
my 3 year old loved it!
I am getting more reads like this for her really soon, the pictures were amazing on my kindle!
my 3 year old loved it!
I am getting more reads like this for her really soon, the pictures were amazing on my kindle!
January 2, 2014
A very short but fun children's book that is the first one that I've read using the comic book mode on my Kindle Fire.
April 16, 2014
The story was great I hope I can read it again .
I like this story because I liked it when he shoot his gun and nothing came out of the gun .
I like this story because I liked it when he shoot his gun and nothing came out of the gun .
January 11, 2015
good, not great
My son said he likes it a lot, but it's not his favorite. That's from a 4-year-old. It's really very good, but he'd only give it 4/5 stars.
My son said he likes it a lot, but it's not his favorite. That's from a 4-year-old. It's really very good, but he'd only give it 4/5 stars.
March 26, 2015
Loved it.
My grandson loved the pictures and the rings and noise I made to go along with the book. Will be buying more.
My grandson loved the pictures and the rings and noise I made to go along with the book. Will be buying more.
February 6, 2016
A somewhat odd story of a "gunslinger" in the old west who shoots the bad guys with lightning bolts of happiness instead of bullets. Go figure.
Pretty neat illustrations.
Pretty neat illustrations.
February 4, 2016
I read this story, before going to sleep and what a fun reading it was. This might be targeted for children but I thoroughly enjoyed.
March 24, 2017
I love it!!!
Great book positive and cute for children of all ages
Great book positive and cute for children of all ages
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews