Mary Fichtner

Help your cowpoke settle in for the night as you say goodnight to all of God's creations. Each stunning illustration reminds us of our blessings and that we are safe until the sun rises again.

Small towns provide community, life lessons, and opportunities for young people to grow their character. Sports is one of the biggest events and gathering places and it's all hands-on deck to make the teams the best they can be. In Burns, WY one boys' basketball team provided significance way beyond the court. Their story needed to be shared so the legacy of their grit, overcoming, and beating the odds could encourage others to have faith until the last buzzer rings. This true story helps us to reflect on our own life and see how the choices we make, during the hardest times of our lives, make or break what we become.

What is a Jingle Horse? A horse that is kept in through the night to ride out in the early morning and round up the other horses. This is an important job for a special horse. One who is okay with being by himself, knowing he has a job to do. After he has his hay, he heads out to gather the working herd (or remuda). They wear bells around their necks so he can follow the jingle to find them. Each one has special gifts that help make the remuda great. As you help the Jingle horse gather the herd you will notice how different each horse is; with their unique strengths, they make the remuda stronger. One or two horses will remind you of you and how important your gifts are

The Cowboy Code of the West challenges us with code #8; Talk Less, Say More. It's a challenging one to understand and even more to live by. Sometimes our best examples are the equine in our lives. We love to hear Delgado's bray even though he doesn't use it much, if ever. He is still an excellent communicator as he uses other methods to let us know what he wants to say without his bray. This is how he lives his life, he always talks less and says more. As you read about Delgado you will learn how to communicate better using less words and also a few Spanish words which are mixed in.

Cowgirl is a spirit; an attitude. The choice of a life lived with courage, conviction, faith and intention. Cowgirls wish on stars and dandelions but then get to work to make them happen. The cowgirl takes care of her animals, helps friends, takes care of others, offers wisdom, rides her horse; and her little white dog can be found on every page. She trusts that all things work together for the good of all. The Heart of a Cowgirl is based on Proverbs 31 and as you read about the cowgirl may the words encourage you to keep saddling up and roping your dreams

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is or for what you were made? Does it ever feel like you are supposed to look a certain way or be something you aren't? Even when our calling is right before us, we may still need the time and courage to see it. Learn from Rusty that through faith and trust we can all find our place Rusty is a Wyoming native and registered paint horse. He was a big surprise when he was born without any of his parents fancy painted spots or coloring. He grew into the most gentle and honest gelding, much more important traits than his coloring He has been loved by hundreds and taught many lessons to those who have known him. This is his story

Cowboys are heroes and icons of the American West They live by The Code of the West and have a strong culture. Their lifestyle has purpose and meaning representing all they do and believe. Living each day with courage, taking pride in their work and fininshing what they start are just a few of the ethics they choose to live by. As you read about the cowboy you will learn why the world needs more cowboys

One tiny horse. One giant problem. Can Thunder learn what his gifts are instead of comparing himself to others? In this big battle Thunder frets about his size and all the things he can't do; overlooking what makes him special. The rhyming words and brilliant watercolor illustrations are created way out west by a mother and daughter team. Get your copy of The Big Battle of Thunder the Smallest War Horse and see if Thunder can win the Big Battle and learn self acceptance.

Rivers are vital to our country's health and leisure. They provide fresh water for our agriculture and most of our drinking water. The calming sound of the moving water and the landscape it is embellished with are magical. Rusty the Ranch Horse lives in one of the most beautiful places in the west next to the Platte River. It is a very busy place that changes with all four of the seasons and is home to many critters. Enjoy the scenery as you read why Rusty loves the river. The beautiful bold watercolor illustrations and rhyming words are created way out west in Wyoming. Get your copy of Rusty and the River and be inspired to seek out a river near you.

Have you ever wondered if there really is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow? Many have raced to that magical place to find out. Join Rusty and his cowboy on grand adventure to where the beautiful colors touch the landscape. Will they find a pot of gold or a dream come true? Or will they discover an unexpected treasure that has been there all along? A real ranch horse teaches us to count our blessings in this whimsical rhyming tale. It was created out under the beautiful skies of Wyoming by a mother and daughter team. Get your copy of Rusty and the Pot of Gold and don't ever miss another treasure in life

Rusty's and His Saddle are vital to his cowboy's work. It is very important that the saddle fits both horse and cowboy. Rusty's saddle is not as nice as the other horse's saddles that he works with but Rusty teaches them that what really matter is character, choices, and how we ride the trail. The Code of the West, which Wyoming wrote into our legislature in 2010, is included in the back of the book. The cowdog highlights an attribute from the code on each page. The rhyming, authentic, western lingo and watercolor illustrations are created way out west by a mother daughter team.

Experience the West at one of the world's greatest western celebrations Join Rusty the Ranch Horse and his cowboy at Frontier Days as they have a day full of adventure and excitement. Rusty and his cowboy dream of the big win at the world's largest outdoor rodeo, "The Daddy of 'em All " They compete in the steer wrestling along with enjoying a parade, the carnival, the rodeo and the Indian Village. The cow dog is along for the adventure too and can be found on every page, always up to something as any good cow dog would be. This story is written in rhyme with authentic western verbiage and bold watercolor illustrations. It was created way out west by a mother and daughter team in collaboration with Rusty and the cow dog. Get your copy of Rusty Goes to Frontier Days so you can always remember to chase your dreams and ride for the brand

Rusty Under the Western Skies is about Rusty the Ranch Horse who dances under the big western skies during a storm instead of going in the barn. This story is full of metaphors about how storms sound, smell, look and feel along with all the beautiful western skies in Wyoming. It was created way out west by a mother daughter team with rhyming words and brilliant watercolor illustrations. Find the meadowlark is on each page dancing with Rusty.

Let's learn about the mule deer, there is so much to know What do mule deer look like? Where do they like to go?What makes them different from the rest? A magnificent creature of the West