Cowboys

A spare text and lively, rough-hewn sketches round up some typical events in a cowboy's day. ``In the bunkhouse after supper, the cowboys play cards or read western story magazines.'' In the morning a cowboy catches and, after a struggle, saddles his horse. A day on the range handling strayed and stampeding cattle ends with the corralling of the critters for the night, supper and free time in the bunkhouse. Rounds's illustrations feature characters strongly outlined in black, broad strokes of color and spatters of sprayed paint--even the rustic lettering suggests the Old West. But the sophisticated approach to these seemingly unpolished techniques makes the book a visual treat. Told in episodic fashion rather than following a traditional plot line, this is a satisfying tribute to a favorite figure in American folklore. Ages 3-8. (Apr.)