Swamp Angel

 Swamp Angel

Bibliography

Isaacs, Anne. 1994. SWAMP ANGEL. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: Puffin Books. ISBN 0140559086

Plot Summary

Angelica Longrider, also know as Swamp Angel, is a woman who uses her size, strength, and smarts to fight a bear that has been terrorizing her Tennessee town. When the men in her town fail, Swamp Angel herself goes toe-to-toe with Thundering Tarnation and battles him across the prairie. A tired Thundering Tarnation makes a huge mistake which costs him his life and his pelt, which Swamp Angel proudly wears, which is how the Shortgrass Prairie came to be. 

Critical Analysis

    Anne Isaac's tall tale, Swamp Angel, is a humorous story that is stylistically appealing, as well as visually. Isaac's use of figurative language brings the story to life, with simile and metaphor usage. The character of Swamp Angel takes center stage as a strong woman that does what the men can't do. The plot will have children and adults alike laughing at some of the shenanigans the characters get up to and the unreal lengths Angelica Longrider goes to to get the bear's pelt. 

    The story is set in the American frontier, classic for a tall tale, which is illustrated beautifully by Paul O. Zelinsky. His paintings are wonderous and fill the pages with color and have such an imaginative feel, that while reading, one can see these pictures stepping out of the pages and coming to life. 

    Swamp Angel is an instant classic, which should be shared through the ages, and our title character has joined the tall tale ranks alongside the likes of John Henry and Calamity Jane. 

Review Excerpts

1995 Caldecott Honors

Kirkus Reviews: "It is impossible to convey the sheet pleasure, exaggerated loopiness, of newcomer Isaac's wonderful story"

Horn Book Review: ""Visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud, this is a picture book to remember."

Connections

Tall Tale Connections: How does Swamp Angel follow certain tall tale tropes? Create a chart with your class.

More illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky: Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky

                                                             Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinksy

                                                             Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary

More TALL tales: Dona Flor: A Tall Tale about a Giant Woman with a Giant Big Heart by Pat Mora

                              The BFG by Roald Dahl

                              Jack and the Beanstalk by Steven Kellogg