Book Review: SWAMP ANGEL by Anne Isaacs

Bibliography

Isaacs, Anne. SWAMP ANGEL. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 1994. ISBN 0525452710.

Plot Summary

In this tall tale set in the Tennessee frontier, Angelica Longrider is a very special and BIG character. When she was born in 1815, she was “scarcely taller than her mother.” By the time she was two-years-old, Angelica built her first log cabin. At twelve-years-old, Angelica rescued some stranded settlers in a swamp and was known as Swamp Angel from that time forward.

One summer in Tennessee, a huge bear named Thundering Tarnation was wreaking havoc on all the settlers, who became desperate and started a competition to stop the bear. The competition was for the best hunter to kill Tarnation and the prize was his pelt and the title of Champion Wildcat. Hunters and daredevils from all over Tennessee tried to kill the Tarnation, but none were successful. Until Swamp Angel.

After the hunters scoff at Angelica for joining the competition, she wrestles the bear all across the Tennessee hills, throwing him high in the air, and lassoing him back to the ground with a tornado. Swamp Angel and Thundering Tarnation wrestled for so long, they both fell asleep and still they continued fighting. The bear and Swamp Angel snored so loudly in their sleep, they knocked down trees. One of the trees fell on Tarnation, killing him. The settlers celebrated with the “biggest celebration the state had ever known.” Since Tarnation’s pelt was too big for Tennessee, Swamp Angel moved it Montana and used it as a rug, which is now known as the Shortgrass Prairie.

Critical Analysis

SWAMP ANGEL is an amusing tall tale with a strong, larger-than-life female protagonist and main character. The plot of the story is simple and full of the typical exaggeration found in tall tales. From the first page, the story and illustrations quickly establish the setting as the Tennessee frontier during the early 1800’s. The conflict of fighting the bear was funny and crucial to the plot. The dialogue captures the spoken language of early settlers and fits the culture of that time period and place. The tale has a satisfying resolution with Swamp Angel stopping Tarnation and saving the settlers. The story and illustrations show the reader that this story is a tall tale with the characteristic exaggerated narrative and oversized characters.

The illustrations are painted in oil on cherry, maple, and birch veneers. The illustrations provide beautiful details and match the humor of the story perfectly. I found the wood veneer backgrounds very interesting and fitting for the setting of the story. Swamp Angel is a large character and the illustrations demonstrate her great size, especially the scenes of Swamp Angel wrestling Thundering Tarnation. The illustrations reflect the dress and customs of the time and setting. Together the story and illustrations represent the culture of the frontier with some authenticity despite the story being a tall tale. I enjoyed reading SWAMP ANGEL and feel this would be a great addition to a social studies unit about frontier times or language arts unit about tall tales.

Review Excerpt(s)

1995 Caldecott Honor Winner

1994 ALA Notable Book
NEW YORK TIMES Best Illustrated Books of 1994

From Publisher’s Weekly

“This valiant heroine is certain to leave youngsters chuckling-and perhaps even keeping a close watch on the night sky.”

From Kirkus

“It is impossible to convey the sheer pleasure, the exaggerated loopiness, of newcomer Isaacs's wonderful story. Matching the superb text stride for stride are Zelinsky's (The Wheels on the Bus, 1990) altered-state, American primitive paintings--gems that provide new pleasures, reading after reading.”

Book Connections

Other books written by Anne Isaacs:

DUST DEVIL, ISBN 0375867228.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH, ISBN 0375867457.

PANCAKES FOR SUPPER, ISBN 0439644836.

Other books illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky:

KNICK KNACK PADDYWHACK, ISBN 0525469087.

THE LION AND THE STOAT, ISBN 0688025625.

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS, ISBN 0525446443.

Other traditional literature Caldecott Medal Winners:

Brown, Marcia. ONCE A MOUSE…, ISBN 0684126623.

Haley, Gail E. A STORY A STORY, ISBN 0689205118.

Mosel, Arlene. THE FUNNY LITTLE WOMAN, ISBN 0140547535.

Activities for SWAMP ANGEL:

• To learn further about the character, Angelica Longrider, read DUST DEVIL by Anne Isaacs.
• Read other tall tales like PECOS BILL by Steven Kellogg and Laura Robb or JOHN HENRY by Julius Lester and Jerry Pickney. Compare and contrast the stories and discuss elements of tall tales.
• For a social studies unit, research local tall tales and write your own version. Publish the story using Web 2.0 tools.