Lexi Kinney

 Lexi Kinney lives in beautiful Sonoma County with her horse Little Bit.  When Lexi is not writing books she is driving a school bus, horseback riding or at the beach.  She also loves to make quilts and bake.  Her inspiration for her first book came when she met a boy named Joe that brought joy back into her life after the tragic loss of her son.  After her first book Lexi chose to write western books in hopes of keeping the culture of the western lifestyle alive.  Animal Jax, Buckaroo Chuck and Little Rosie Rodeo received the Mom’s Choice Award in 2020.  Her  favorite thing to do is to read her books to school children and answer all their questions about rodeos, farm life and western attire.  There’s nothing better than wearing your favorite pair of boots! 

Five Star Reviews from Midwest Book Review

Little Rosie Rodeo loves to race as fast as she can to win the prize, those sparkly buckles. She couldn't do this without the help of her horse B-Bar, who's also her best friend. Together they race for those buckles that twinkle like stars. A collaboratively produced picture book by author Lexi Kinney and illustrator Marinella Aguirre, "Little Rosie Rodeo: Cowgirl For Reals" is a thoroughly entertaining delightful scripted rhyming story about the rodeo and the bonds of friendship. While very highly recommended, especially for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school and community library collections for children ages 3 to 8

In the pages of "Buckaroo Chuck: Cowboy For Reals", children ages 3 to 8 can ride along with Buckaroo Chuck as he goes from hopeful youngster to accomplished bull rider. An action-filled picture book story by author Lexi Kinney and illustrator Marinella Aguirre takes the a young reader through the motions, tumbles and falls of a young buckaroo as he becomes a confident rodeo man. No matter how many times Chuck falls off, he never loses sight of his dream. Of special note is the underlying message promoting the use of helmets and vests when riding in the arena, and inspiring children to never give up on their goals. While unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections,

Little Joe Smileyhead is a children's picture book by Lexi Kinney with full-color illustrations by Marinella Aguirre. Little Joe is a happy three-year-old child who rises early in the morning, eager to help his parents with their chores. However, his parents become frustrated as he gets a bucket stuck on his head and is covered in flour from cakemaking, noodles from his lunch, leaves from a leaf pile, and water from a hose. Little Joe doesn't understand why his parents get mad at these things when he only wants to help. At the end of the day, after he's bathed himself and gotten into bed, Mom and Dad kiss their adorable sleepyhead son goodnight and they, too, wonder why they ever got angry. In Little Joe Smileyhead, Kinney gives children a fun adventure in the virtue of being helpful, and she gives parents a gentle prod about patience. Written in rhyme and beautifully illustrated, the story will have children laughing at what they see ending up on Little Joe's head as he moves from chore to chore and parent to parent in his quest to be helpful. For adults who read this charming story to or with their children, it's a reminder that flour, noodles, leaves, and especially bubbles will all wash away. What's important is to help your children grow both in happiness and helpfulness. Appreciate their desire to help with chores and encourage them to take on tasks with greater independence, even if it means a little more work for you in the end. Another delightful read from this author.

Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite   5 Star Review

Little Joe Smileyhead is a children’s picture book by Lexi Kinney with full-color illustrations by Marinella Aguirre. Little Joe is a happy three-year-old child who rises early in the morning, eager to help his parents with their chores. However, his parents become frustrated as he gets a bucket stuck on his head and is covered in flour from cakemaking, noodles from his lunch, leaves from a leaf pile, and water from a hose. Little Joe doesn’t understand why his parents get mad at these things when he only wants to help. At the end of the day, after he’s bathed himself and gotten into bed, Mom and Dad kiss their adorable sleepyhead son goodnight and they, too, wonder why they ever got angry.

In Little Joe Smileyhead, Kinney gives children a fun adventure in the virtue of being helpful, and she gives parents a gentle prod about patience. Written in rhyme and beautifully illustrated, the story will have children laughing at what they see ending up on Little Joe’s head as he moves from chore to chore and parent to parent in his quest to be helpful. For adults who read this charming story to or with their children, it’s a reminder that flour, noodles, leaves, and especially bubbles will all wash away. What’s important is to help your children grow both in happiness and helpfulness. Appreciate their desire to help with chores and encourage them to take on tasks with greater independence, even if it means a little more work for you in the end. Another delightful read from this author.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite  5 Star Review

Buckaroo Chuck: Cowboy For Reals is an illustrated work of children’s fiction penned by author Lexi Kinney, complete with artwork by Marinella Aguirre. Aimed at children from ages three to seven years, this fully illustrated and very colorful book centers on its hero Chuck, who dreams of one day becoming a successful rider at the rodeo. As we follow him in his quest to learn the right skills, meet the right people to guide him and achieve his goal someday, there are also important safety lessons about the modern rodeo and the importance of wearing helmets and safety gear.

Author Lexi Kinney has created a relatable everyday hero in Buckaroo Chuck, a sweet young boy who wants to follow in the great tradition of the cowboys he looks up to, and ride bulls in the big rodeo someday. The narration is clean and clear, with simple lexis for older, standalone readers and plenty of key vocabulary for the younger ones to learn as they read along with an adult. The central messages about safety, working hard for your dreams and building your self-esteem are all wholesome and very valuable too. As for illustrations, artist Marinella Aguirre brings the people and animals of the story to life with a mix between contemporary cartoon drawings and a realistic color palette of old fashioned western shades. The results are beautiful, and I would certainly recommend Buckaroo Chuck: Cowboy For Reals as a great starter picture books for rodeo fans and little buckaroos everywhere.

Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite  5 Star Review

Little Rosie Rodeo: Cowgirl for Reals is a children’s picture book by Lexi Kinney with full-color illustrations by Marinella Aguirre. Little Rosie and her horse and best friend, B-Bars, compete in several rodeo events to win “buckles that sparkle like stars.” The events include barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending, and ribbon roping. At the end of the day, Little Rosie has won several buckles and she and B-Bars enjoyed a fun if dusty day together at the rodeo. The vivid illustrations not only convey the friendship and fun that Rosie and her horse share, but they depict the detailed steps in the rodeo events themselves at a level suitable for small children to understand.

In Little Rosie Rodeo, Kinney gives children a fun-filled, action-packed story written in rhyme. Rosie is a happy and courageous cowgirl to the core. She loves to race fast and she’s honed her skills. For children who like horses, the friendship between Little Rosie and B-Bars is real. For all that Rosie wanted the buckles, she makes it clear that B-Bars matters the most. As someone who has watched a few rodeos as a child, I appreciate how Kinney educates small children on rodeo eventing using both narrative and illustration. The meaning of friendship, reaching for goals, striving to do your best, fair play, a healthy competitive spirit, and appreciation for the American tradition of rodeo eventing are all topics which parents can fold into discussions with their child as they read or listen to the rhyme and study the details of the illustrations. A delightful read.