The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

Once there was a girl who loved wild horses. Her family loved her enough to let her live with the creatures that she loved. In this Caldecott winning Native American folk tale, Paul Goble tells the story of a girl who understands horses in a special way. One day, she falls asleep just as a terrible storm approaches. She is awaked by thunder and lightning and jumps on the back of her horse as the entire herd attempts to outrun the storm. When they finally stop running, the horses are lost. The next morning, they are greeted by herd of wild horses who welcome them all to live with them. Readers will be enthralled by the tale of the girl who becomes part of the world that she loves more than anything.

The brilliant illustrations that accompany Goble’s simple text draw the reader into the Native American culture most effectively. Though simplistic in appearance, the drawings express the movement of horses, the violence of the thunderstorm and the beauty of the world we live in. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses shows the way a family loves their daughter enough to let her go and live the life she dreams of. This amazing story will give readers of all ages the courage to believe in the fantastic and to live their dreams.

I would recommend this book for students in grades 2-4.

Keywords associated with this book: Native American, horse, legend, folk tale, picture book, Caldecott

Flotsam

Flotsam can be defined as material or refuse floating on water. In this Caldecott Award winning wordless book, David Wiesner takes the definition to new heights. The book takes a look at a boy who is at the beach. Unlike many children who visit the beach, the boy brings along a magnifying glass, a microscope and a pair of binoculars. He uses the magnifying glass to befriend a crab and then plans a project using a shovel, a pail and a different crab. A wave knocks him over and supplies him with a new object of interest—an underwater camera with film in it. When the film is developed, the boy finds pictures of mechanical underwater creatures and other incredible scenes. He also finds several photos of other children holding photos. Using his magnifying glass and his microscope, the boy “reads” the history of the camera and adds his own to it. The camera is then returned to the ocean to continue its journey into someone else’s history.

The watercolor illustrations in Wisener’s book are not only colorful, but detailed enough to tell many stories throughout the book. Many of the pictures are displayed in graphic novel style which is attractive to children of many ages. The beach theme of this book will appeal to young and old alike and will tell a new story each time it is opened.

I would recommend this book for students aged pre-K through 3rd grade. The book could also be used with older students in conjunction with a thematic unit.

Key words associated with this book: beach, history, landscapes, underwater, photographs, and shore animals