Buffalo Nickel Ranch
Buffalo Nickel Ranch is the first book in a series with the same name. Stella, a girl longing for adventure and animals in her life, admires the ranch with giant longhorns she passes going to school each day. Before she can enjoy the animals this particular morning, she must first figure out what is going on with her best friend. As she learns from the name of the ranch - things aren’t always as they seem! Educators and parents admire the seamless fabric of this story as it balances abstract literary elements of growth, relationships, and theme with concrete concepts such as a linear plotline, characterization, setting, and the senses. Be ready to observe literary devices such as similes, metaphors, rule of three, symbolism, and imagery. Lexicon raises its head as Randi Whitney exposes students to a myriad of new words and phrases. Enjoy the accompanying study guide which delivers the trademarked reading comprehension approach of the 4 Dimensions of Understanding and Analysis in the classroom and throughout life. Already a classroom classic. Teachers everywhere are raving! “Pouring her two passions of teaching and living the ranch life into one bowl and stirring them up, makes for the outcome of a lifetime. The Buffalo Nickel Ranch children’s book series brilliantly combines the beauty of learning life lessons and experiencing the adventures of living with a wide variety of animals. Toss in the natural talent of teaching tough concepts such as plot and theme, and the recipe is one in which every elementary classroom should have at their fingertips.” – 4th grade teacher “Adventures, history, relationships, and growth are at the top of the list for author Randi Whitney. I’ve never seen an author with such a heart for children and lifelong learning. Take the Buffalo Nickel Ranch series into your classroom and be prepared to be awed. With twists and turns that amaze readers and make you smile, every child will feel like they live on the BNR Ranch, and Stella is their best friend.” – 6th grade teacher
Who Let the Goat Out?
In the second book in the Buffalo Nickel Ranch series, Stella learns that keeping gates closed at the ranch is important, and the cowboys learn that it’s important to keep their hearts open. Stella shares an important lesson on owning one’s actions, but should anyone be listening to her at all? After all, she’s the one who put the family goat in great danger. Will anyone be able to save him? Will anyone be able to forgive her? Students and teachers anxiously await the falling action of this non-linear problem/solution plotline which provides an outcome no one expected! This suspenseful, realistic fiction piece dabbles in heartbreak, responsibility, and intrinsic motivation. Be prepared to have the catchy chant- Own your own when it's easy. Own your own when it's hard. Own your own on the outside and especially in your heart. running through your mind for days after reading it multiple times. The strong theme of owning your own actions sets the stage for a life lesson that goes beyond the pages of a book – it contributes to the character of a person. Randi Whitney uses poetry attributes such as stanzas, lines, rhyme scheme, and cadence to emphasize genre-specific academic vocabulary. Lexicon is another strength of Who Let The Goat Out, as readers learn the word origin of the word “breakfast.” Follow that with the lessons of recycling food and not wasting it, and you have a book that sets the stage for science lessons as well. The name of the goat even makes a literature connection for the older learners. Add all of this to the theme of ownership of one’s actions, and an interdisciplinary marvel is found all in one children’s book that spans the ages.
I Love Buggy Rides
Everyone gets nervous occasionally. As Stella explores the biggest ranch in the state, her fear grows. She tells no one about the fear until it is too late for their advice. Stella learns a valuable life lesson about communicating and overcoming her anxiety. She enjoys sharing her emotional growth while she rides around the ranch on a buggy constantly repeating, I LOVE BUGGY RIDES! What is your fear? Maybe Stella and her poem can help you!
Elements of setting, both temporal and scenic, are addressed in this young girl’s adventures as seasons and scenery create a wallpaper that educators can use to emphasize the literary device of imagery and the literary element of theme. Enjoy using the relevant lexicon of over 20 words and phrases designed to engage and ignite the mind. Add all of that to the metaphors, similes, symbolism, repetition, hyperbole, and imagery and readers are sure to understand meaning on a higher level. Address complex standards such as how setting affects the plot, text features insets, and character relationships.
An accompanying study guide (found at teachbig.myshopify.com) provides a vocabulary list, defines literary elements (concrete and abstract), highlights literary devices, and provides tangible textual evidence to answer the 4 Dimensions of Reading Comprehension Questions and Written Response Prompts. Several sets of questions and answers are included for each Buffalo Nickel Ranch children’s book. The primary intent of this series is to expose children to a unique ranch life full of animals and life lessons. The secondary intent is to provide educators with the comprehension and response skills needed to accomplish true comprehension. All this together helps to merge the needs of test-time and lifetime learning.
Leaving TRACKS
People leave tracks. Animals leave tracks. Authors leave tracks, too! Can you recognize all the TRACKS in this predictive children’s book?
Science and Language Arts teachers alike enjoy the analogy author Randi Whitney draws between the tracks left by common animals and the TRACKS left by authors in stories and books. This is a brilliant introduction into the literary world of author’s purpose. The engaging illustrations bring animal tracks to life for the youngest learners while the content helps bridge the gap for one of the most difficult literary elements for older readers.
Tomato Boy
Luke the Duke has always loved copetitions especially when they involved eating. When he was selected to compete in the tomato eating competition at the county fair, he had a feeling that he would win. Remembering a story his grandmother shared, he was sure to live up to his own expectations. In an unexpected turn of events, Luke the Duke won but not how his friends had anticipated.
The Annual Cookie Tree
The Buffalo Nickel Ranch serves as the backdrop for the Christmas feast of the year. Over 500 guests attend from towns near and far. This beautifully illustrated book captures the hearts of readers for serving others and goal setting. Everyone looks forward to the annual event, but no one expected what the ranch owner had in store for them this year. Join the guests of Buffalo Nickel Ranch, and begin your tradition, too!
This classic Christmas tree story makes finding that perfect craft for holiday parties a breeze! The timeless and affordable craft for classrooms and families makes this new tradition one that can easily be repeated year after year.
Ecologists, parents, and educators appreciate the mix of humor and respect established by Randi Whitney. Whether it’s lessons on serving others, being respectful of trees, or the importance of setting goals, this children’s book sets a tone that reaches across boundaries and includes everyone in the journey.
Rich in vocabulary, The Annual Cookie Tree creates an atmosphere of imagery seldom achieved in a children’s book. Added to the literary aspects of imagery, pronoun usage, figurative language, and metaphors, educators find weeks’ worth of teachable moments all in one book. Couple that with the catchy and poignant poem within the story, and you have nothing short of a masterpiece.
It's Valentine's Of Course, Of Course!
It’s Valentine’s of course, of course, and it’s time to send out the traditional Valentine’s cards to all your friends. But this year, make it a little bit BIGGER! Instead of just signing your name, let this be the year you send a message of friendship and appreciation. With the fun and easy flow of this Valentine poem, everyone will understand the importance of an old-fashioned written note. Tell your friends what they mean to you, and they will never forget your words.
The Blue Egg
It was supposed to be a fun weekend that included an Easter egg hunt at the ranch, but Dani had no idea she would experience her greatest fear to date. The tone in her voice said it all, but hopefully, a life lesson would arise.
The Messes We Make
Stella and her friends embark upon one of the toughest decisions they’ve ever had to make at the ranch when a monstrous mess is made in the barn. Do they clean it up? Do they ask for help? Do they take ownership, or do they walk away? Will their friendship be able to survive this dilemma?
The Class With Heart
The anticipation of the first day of school can be scary! However, when your teacher sets the stage for a loving atmosphere that includes taking chances and forgiveness, your heart can settle right in. Will this be Stella‘s experience in her new classroom or will it be something she wishes for as she journeys through a new school year?
Every Letter Counts
Gideon shares his love for his mom and stamp collecting through a series of letters she has written while serving her country. His teacher, Mrs. Sparks, follows his lead and ties it into a classroom lesson. Will everyone learn the lesson that every letter counts? Will reading all the letters change them forever?
Leave Something, Take Something
The last day of school is quickly approaching, and it is time for the students to meet for their last Community Circle. As the students gather around to play their favorite activity “Leave Something, Take Something”, they have come to understand the true meaning of the game - that everywhere we go, we leave something behind and we take something with us. The only question left, is what will they leave and what will they take?
Coming Soon...
The Community Can
Louis Louis
Reviews
This Christmas Book honors nature, traditions and setting goals
All of Randi Whitney’s books are beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. I am buying them all and reading them to my grandchildren! This book, whether read in the classroom or at home, teaches children about living in the country. It teaches several lessons of family and friends, of conservation and replacing what you take from nature, and about setting goals. Such a deep book written so that children understand it. Ms Whitney gave us a way for this book to come alive with our kids through the decorations, of which I am buying! They aren’t expensive and they make the book jump off the page and into the lives of children (of any age).
-Principal Sherry
Excellent book, a definite MUST read !!
This book is a fantastic way to promote reading skills and engagement. I absolutely love the personal connections that Ms. Randi Whitney adds to her story making it even more enjoyable and memorable. This is a must read in the classroom as well as with you kiddos. Can't wait to share this story with my students this year.
-Michelle Salazar
Amazing Book!
I purchased this book after attending the Teach Big Training at the Buffalo Nickel Ranch! We fell in love with the ranch and Mrs. Randi herself! I knew this book would be loved amongst my students and it was! I shared my personal connection to the ranch and Goatsby, which made them feel that much more connected and invested in the story. The lesson in this book is an important lesson for children and I was ecstatic when my students applied it almost immediately after reading the book.
I did download the study guide off of BNRbooks.com and used it to guide classroom discussion and to answer short constructed responses. Everything is ready for you! If you're a teacher, this book is 100% recommended!
-Brenda Castanon
Mrs. Whitney's books are a MUST read!
The characters and messages behind her books STAY with you and will always remind you/your family/students to make the right choices! I am so blessed that I had the opportunity to come into this amazing book series! I cannot wait for the rest of her books to be published so I can share them with my own family and my students! 💗 thank you for everything Mrs. Whitney! You are one amazing person! 🤗💗 I cannot wait to learn more from you and Buffalo Nickel Ranch through your book series!
-A. Sai