Dust Devil

A young girl named Swamp Angel moves to Montana after outgrowing her home state of Tennessee. In her new surroundings, she encounters Dust Devil, a horse that no one has been able to tame. Angel faces the challenge of breaking in this wild horse while dealing with a gang of outlaws threatening the region's settlers. Her superhuman size and strength come into play as she takes on both the untameable horse and the bandits. The tall tale combines American frontier mythology with elements of folk heroism and humor. The story pays homage to traditional American storytelling while featuring a female protagonist who defies conventional roles of the era. The narrative explores themes of determination, the relationship between humans and nature, and the expansion of the American frontier. Through its larger-than-life protagonist, the book presents an alternative perspective on Western folklore.

Readers consistently note this tall tale's humor and exaggerated storytelling style. Many comment on David Small's illustrations, particularly the sweeping western landscapes and expressive character designs. Likes: - Strong female protagonist who solves problems creatively - Balance of action and comedy that appeals to both kids and adults - References to American frontier life and geography - Continuation of characters from Isaacs' "Swamp Angel" Dislikes: - Some found the story too outlandish for young readers - A few noted it was longer than typical picture books - Several mentioned needing historical context to appreciate the setting Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (289 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (21 ratings) Common reader comment: "The tall-tale humor works better for older elementary students who understand exaggeration." Professional reviews were positive, with School Library Journal calling it "a rip-roaring adventure" and Kirkus praising the "larger-than-life heroine."

Swamp Angel by Barbara DiLiz A female folk hero in Tennessee performs impossible feats including wrestling bears and creating new landscapes with her powerful abilities.

Thunder Rose by Jerdine Nolen An African American tall tale features a girl born during a storm who grows up to lasso tornadoes and tame wild bulls with her supernatural strength.

Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Crockett by Steven Kellogg The larger-than-life wife of Davy Crockett rides cyclones, wrestles alligators, and outsmarts bears in the American frontier.

John Henry by Julius Lester The legendary steel-driving man races against a machine to prove human strength can triumph over technology in this American folk tale.

Pecos Bill by Steven Kellogg A cowboy raised by coyotes grows up to ride tornadoes and use rattlesnakes as lassos in the Wild West.

🌟 Anne Isaacs drew inspiration for her tall tales from American folklore and the rich tradition of frontier storytelling 🏔️ The book's main character, Angelica Longrider (also known as Swamp Angel), was first introduced in Isaacs' Caldecott Honor book "Swamp Angel" 🎨 The illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky were created using oil paintings on wood veneer, giving the book a distinctive, rustic feel that matches its frontier setting 🌪️ The story incorporates real geographic features of Montana, including the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains, while putting a mythical spin on how they were formed 📚 The book continues the American tradition of larger-than-life frontier heroes like Paul Bunyan and John Henry, but features a female protagonist who can wrestle mountains and tame tornadoes