Swamp Angel book review

Bibliography

Isaacs, A. 1994. Swamp Angel. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: Puffin Books. ISBN 9780140559088

Plot Summary

The story of Swamp Angel begins with the birth of Angelica Longrider. A quick description of how she got her name “Swamp Angel” is given, and the story of Thundering Tarnation begins. The story of Thundering Tarnation begins with various hunters failing to kill the bear and failing to believe that Swamp Angel would be successful. As Swamp Angel was the only one left to hunt the bear, she and the bear fight through a stream, tornado, the “Great Smoky Mountains”, and through a lake until finally finding themselves too tired to continue their fight. While sleeping, Swamp Angel snores so loudly that she makes a tree fall, finally killing the bear. The people of Tennessee celebrates the bear’s death, and Swamp Angel finds herself having a new rug.

Critical Analysis

The illustrations by Zelinsky parallel the text, which helps with comprehending this Tall Tale. The story is humorous, and children would find the illustrations of the fight with Thundering Tarnations to be quite extraordinary. Along with the story being comical, this story has an underlying motive set to empower women. This can be seen when the line of men are teasing Swamp Angel, by saying “Shouldn’t you be home, mending a quilt?” and when Swamp Angel ignores their hateful words and proves that she is capable of doing a “mans job”.

Review Excerpt(s)

• 1995 Caldecott Honor Book 
• Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: “This valiant heroine is certain to leave youngsters chuckling-and perhaps even keeping a close watch on the night sky” (August 29, 1994). 
• Kirkus reviews: "It is impossible to convey the sheer pleasure, the exaggerated loopiness, of newcomer Isaac's wonderful story" (May 20, 2010).  

Connections

• This book would be great to use in a beginning lesson for Tall Tales, and discussing the elements that make this story a Tall Tale. 
• This story can be read in a classroom compare and contrast lesson with the stories of Paul Bunyan and Doña Flor.