Cowgirl Dreaming: A Picture Book

A young Black equestrian realizes her dream of riding in her community’s parade, inspired by Oakland’s annual Black Cowboy Parade, in this picture book filled with heart and pride

A cowgirl jumps over the moon, in my dreams.
On Garbo, my pretty palomino pony.
But clip clops on blacktop make my eyes pop open.

Today is the Black Cowboy Parade.

A little girl and her pony are nervous for their very first Black Cowboy Parade—but just like her papa and papa’s papa before her, she’ll saddle up and hold her head high as she rides through the streets she knows by heart.

With captivating, collage-style illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow and a stirring text by author R. J. Owens, this picture book celebrates both the long tradition and lineage of Black equestrians. It also pays respect to the peaceful protests led by community activist Brianna Noble, who gained fame while riding her Appaloosa magnificently through Oakland, California, during Black Lives Matter marches.

A call to action as well as a call for children everywhere to reach for their dreams, Cowgirl Dreaming is inspiring and powerful.