If you’ve walked through the Ice Arena at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, you know the rhythm. You’re not rushing. Instead, you’re wandering. Booths blur together, and every so often, something makes you slow down without planning to.
That’s exactly how many people ended up stopping at a small table stacked with children’s books.
At first glance, it was the covers that caught attention. Bright colors. Big-eyed characters. Then, once you picked one up, it was hard not to flip a few pages. Behind the table was Scott Haynes, the author and illustrator of the Roadie the Ranch Dog children’s book series and Ace the Bison.
From the start, the books felt familiar in a way that’s hard to fake.
“I grew up on a farm and ranch in northern Montana,” Haynes said. “I always liked that sort of work and that lifestyle.”
Because of that background, the setting never feels added on. Instead, it quietly anchors everything he creates.
A Ranch Dog That Feels Real
At the center of the series is Roadie, a ranch dog who doesn’t behave like a polished storybook hero. Instead, he feels real. He’s curious. He’s distracted. Sometimes he’s locked in, and other times he’s completely somewhere else.
“Roadie’s kind of all over the place,” Haynes said. “He can be scatterbrained, but he can be pretty dialed in too. Any wind can kind of blow a ranch dog either way.”
Because of that, Roadie immediately feels recognizable. Anyone who’s spent time around working dogs knows the type. Helpful when it counts. Unpredictable the rest of the time. Always part of what’s happening, even when he’s in the way.
Not surprisingly, Haynes knew the subject matter from the beginning.
“If I did a kids book, I wanted it to be about a ranch dog,” he said. “That was kind of a no brainer for me because I’m a dog guy.”
From there, the project grew naturally. First came drawings before work. Then writing after work. Eventually, one book turned into another. Today, the series includes seven books, with an eighth currently in progress.
Drawing the Way Kids Learn to Draw
While the stories hold attention, the illustrations are usually what pull people in first. The characters have oversized eyes and expressive faces that feel playful without being overwhelming.
That look didn’t appear overnight.
“When I was a kid, I copied what I liked,” Haynes said. “You can see the big eyes. I got a lot of that from Garfield. And then Calvin and Hobbes.”
As a result, his advice to young artists stays simple.
“I tell kids to copy what you like,” Haynes said. “Eventually you’ll find your own style.”
In many ways, that philosophy shows up in the books themselves. Rather than forcing a look or chasing trends, the artwork feels confident and settled, like it grew into itself over time.
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone With Ace the Bison
After years of drawing dogs, horses, and cattle, Haynes decided to push himself in a new direction. That shift led to Ace the Bison.
The idea came from a friend who runs a coffee shop in Sheridan, Wyoming and wanted a story centered around a bison calf. Because of that suggestion, Haynes found himself drawing animals he didn’t reach for very often.
“I draw a lot of horses, a lot of dogs, a lot of cows,” he said. “I don’t get the opportunity very often to draw buffalo or more wilderness-type stuff.”
As a result, Ace became a different kind of character.
“Ace is more of an innocent character,” Haynes said. “He’s always trying to figure things out.”
In the first book, Be the Bison, Ace is trying to understand what it means to be himself. Along the way, he asks questions, listens to his friends, and learns by watching the world around him. It’s a quieter approach, but one that sticks with the reader.
Who These Books Are For
From a reading standpoint, Haynes usually places the books in the five to seven age range. However, when it comes to interest, he keeps things much wider.
“Three to ninety,” he said.
Because of that, the books tend to stick around. They’re hardcover and sturdy, clearly built to survive being read again and again. They don’t rush the story, and they don’t talk down to the reader. Instead, they invite you to settle in and take your time.
A Quiet Find Inside a Busy Stock Show
The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo is loud, busy, and constantly moving. Even so, finding something slower inside the Ice Arena feels like a welcome pause.
In that setting, Haynes’ books fit naturally. They reflect ranch life without trying to explain it. They trust the reader to connect the dots on their own.
So, if you find yourself wandering the Ice Arena, it’s worth stopping by the table, opening a book, and taking a closer look.
Sometimes, the best finds don’t announce themselves.
