Like many families, we are big fans of Ree Drummond, also known as The Pioneer Woman. My husband even jokes that my pecan pie, specifically her recipe, is his favorite thing I make! So, when I saw on Facebook that Ree Drummond would be making an appearance near Atlanta, I knew we had to go. It felt like a fun, spontaneous family adventure to see the woman behind the recipes and stories we enjoy so much.
Initially, the thought of navigating Atlanta traffic with four young children for a 7 p.m. book signing seemed daunting. However, the next morning, the idea was still buzzing in my mind. After a dentist visit with my four-year-old, the excitement of potentially meeting Ree Drummond became irresistible. Before long, my husband Ted and our daughters were all in the car, headed to the Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia. Perhaps Ted’s love extends beyond just pecan pie, as he was fully on board with this impromptu outing!
After an hour’s drive and almost a four-hour wait, we finally secured a front-row spot to hear Ree Drummond talk about her life as The Pioneer Woman and read from her new children’s book, Charlie and the Christmas Kitty. The wait was absolutely worth it. Ree was just as warm, funny, and down-to-earth in person as she appears on her show and blog. Her trademark humor shone through as she captivated both the adults and children in the audience. Watching her read, just a few feet away, it was clear that her on-screen persona is genuine and unpretentious. My children were particularly enthralled by her lively sound effects during the reading – the snores, howls, and ranch dog accents brought the story to life.
Charlie and the Christmas Kitty is a heartwarming and humorous tale about an unlikely friendship. Since it’s a children’s book, I thought it would be fun to get some reviews straight from my kids. My youngest politely declined to offer her literary critique, but my two older daughters, Olivia and Ava, were happy to share their thoughts on Ree Drummond’s book.
Olivia said, “Charlie thought the ranch wouldn’t be there without him, but all he did was nap and eat bacon. A kitten comes to the house and Charlie tries to get rid of the kitten. But then Charlie makes friends with the kitten. It was a very nice story of friendship. My favorite part was at the end of the book where he said, ‘Oh no! Not again!’ when another dog showed up. I think other kids should read this book because it is a very fun book.”
Ava added, “I liked Charlie and the Christmas Kitty a lot. I liked it because it was a story of friendship. My favorite character was Charlie because he thought the ranch wouldn’t be there without him. He’s funny. All he does is eat bacon, sleep, eat bacon, and did I mention, eat bacon? It was fun to hear the author read the book.” Their innocent and insightful reviews perfectly capture the charm of Charlie and the Christmas Kitty.
It had been a while since I’d waited in long lines to meet an author, but this experience was definitely one of the best. Meeting Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, was a delight, and seeing her bring Charlie and the Christmas Kitty to life for my children was truly special. And yes, I made sure to tell Ree that her pecan pie recipe is a family favorite – a sentiment my husband wholeheartedly seconds! If you’re looking for a sweet and funny Christmas book for your kids, or are simply a fan of The Pioneer Woman and Charlie, this book is a wonderful choice.
