Dust Devil be Anne Isaacs

DUST DEVIL
Author: Anne Isaacs
Illustrated by: Paul O. Zelinsky
Source: Publihser
* I received this book free of 
charge in exchange for an honest review*

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (September 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375867228
• ISBN-13: 978-0375867224

SUMMARY:

Here is the thrilling, thigh-slapping companion to Swamp Angel, the beloved Caldecott Honor–winning picture book.

Swamp Angel has a reputation as the greatest woodswoman and wildest wildcat in all of Tennessee. But when she grows too big for that state, she moves to Montana, a place so sizeable, even Angel can fit in. It’s there that she wrestles a raging storm to the ground and, at its center, finds herself a sidekick—a horse she names Dust Devil. And when Backward Bart, the orneriest, ugliest outlaw ever known, starts terrorizing the prairie, seems like Angel and Dust Devil may be the only ones strong enough to stop him.

Children will be captivated by the beauty and exaggerated humor of Paul Zelinsky’s American primitive–style paintings and the wit and energy of Anne Isaacs’s unparalleled storytelling. Here is an original folktale starring an extraordinary gal who is as feisty as she is funny and as courageous as she is kind.

MY THOUGHTS:

When I received this book, my daughter and I shared it at bedtime for her routine read of the evening.  While the story was fun and whimsical, it was a bit long for younger children.  She lost interest in it quickly because there was so much reading involved per page.  On that note, I would definitely save this book for older children around age 8 and have them read it themselves.

The story was great, but the illustrations could have been so much better.  While they may have been suited for the storyline, the illustrations were bland and not as pretty as girls would normally enjoy.  Again, the illustrations tend to fall in the older child range and even focused more towards a feel that boys would like better.

If you were wanting to find a book that is well suited for a boy and who falls in the age range of 6-8, then this would be best for that.  Overall not a bad book, but not one I would recommend for younger girls.

MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it! 2 STARS