Swamp Angel by Anne Isaacs

Book Review of

 

Bibliography

Isaacs, A. (1994). Swamp angel. Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 9780525452713

Plot Summary

Born in the early 1800s in Tennessee, Angelica Longrider was just an ordinary girl…or was she? As the years pass by, Angelica shows she indeed is no ordinary girl. Saving townspeople from housefires, flash floods, and settlers from drowning in fast-moving river currents, Angelica Longrider becomes known as the Swamp Angel. Soon the state of Tennessee begins to experience famine due to a beast known as Thundering Tarnation, which has been eating all of their stockpiled food for winter. A competition is organized in hopes of finding the best hunter to defeat the beast and get rid of him once and for all. Swamp Angel chooses to join the challenge to win the prestigious title, Champion Wildcat, and help save her townspeople and state from starvation. 

  

Critical Analysis

In this cleverly crafted tall tale where good triumphs over evil, Anne Isaacs presents a strong female character who is larger than life (no pun intended!). A humorous and suspenseful plot takes the reader on a journey and explains why the main character becomes known as Swamp Angel. Beautifully painted realistic illustrations of the American frontier draws the reader in and add to the humorous, yet climactic tale. Swamp Angel will leave readers on the edge of their seat fascinated by the turning of events that lead to an unexpected ending. 

Review Excerpt(s)
"Move over Paul Bunyan, you are about to meet Swamp Angel. . . . Visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud, this is a picture book to remember". -- The Horn Book, starred review

Awards
A Caldecott Honor Book
An ALA Notable Book
A Time magazine Best Book of the Year
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year
Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Connections
For additional activities related to the book:

• Discuss with children the elements of a tall tale. Have them make up their own tall tale and illustrate.
• Compare and contrast another tall tale or another folktale to Swamp Angel. Discuss with children the similarities and differences.
• Discuss with children what exaggerations are. Have children practice coming up with their own exaggerations.

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