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Swamp Angel (Traditional Literature)

 

1.      

(Photo: Goodreads.com)


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Isaacs, Anne. 1994. SWAMP ANGEL. Ill by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN 978-0-525-45271-3

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

SWAMP ANGLE is a tall-tale about Angelica Longrider, the greatest woodswoman in Tennessee. In this tall-tale, Swamp Angel is born a giant in Tennessee. Described as being bigger than her mother, she shockingly could not build a log cabin until she was two years old. As she grew larger and larger, she became one with the bogs and backwoods of her homeland. When she begins saving settlers from these very same swamps, she is christened the name “Swamp Angel.” The dangers of the Tennessee wilderness are no match for Swamp Angel. Thundering Tarnation, a huge bear with a taste for destruction, needs to be defeated so the people are safe. Swamp Angel takes on this mission, aiming to make a “bear pie.” What happens next is a battle of wills that continues for days as Swamp Angel proves her worth being the only hunger who is able to kill Thundering Tarnation. There is a large celebration and Sawm Angel takes her pelt to Montana where it becomes the Shortgrass Prairie.

 

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

SWAMP ANGEL portrays a strong female lead. Angelica Longrider AKA Swamp Angel, is a Tennessee woodswoman who handles not only unfriendly wildlife, but also puts argumentative men in their place. True to tall-tale form, the protagonist is larger than life (literally) with a boisterous personality along with humorous actions and picturesque language.

The setting of the book is Tennessee in the 1800s. Through the words chosen by Isaacs, the southern accent of the time can be heard through phrases like, “Confound it, varmint” and “Quiltin’ is men’s work!”

The plot is simple and explains how the bear constellation, the Great Smokey Mountains, and the Shortgrass Prairie came to be. The story flows quickly with continuous action between rescues, bear fights, and the ending party.

Every tall-tale needs a good universal theme and SWAMP ANGEL is no exception. The theme of good always triumphing over evil is evident through the constant winning Swamp Angel is capable of. Not only does she defeat the bear, but she breaks norms of her time by doing what men tell her she in incapable of.

Not forgetting the beautiful artwork done by Paul O. Zelinsky, he transports us into this setting and historical time through a unique painterly approach. Zelinsky’s illustrations are created using American primitive style on cherry and maple veneers. This approach is appropriate for this particular tall-tale. 

4.       Reviews and Awards

Caldecott Medal- Honor 1995

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

"Move over, Paul Bunyan, you are about to meet Swamp Angel, an original creation in the tall-tale tradition whose exploits are guaranteed to amaze and amuse a wide swath of readers. . . Visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud, this is a picture book to remember." 
  - starred review, Horn Book

"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 altered-state, American primitive paintings--gems that provide new pleasures, reading after reading."
  - starred review, Kirkus

 

5.       CONNECTIONS

History classes can use this book as an introduction to some natural phenomenon (in this book there is the bear constellation, the Great Smokey Mountains, and the Shortgrass Prairie). Students can use this tale to create and explain other natural phenomena they are learning about in class and share with each other this fun and engaging approach.

SWAMP ANGEL has been compared to the story of Paul Bunyan. Students can compare and contrast the story. This can be simplistic or more in-depth for high school. For example, high school students can explore the literary devices used in both stories while middle school or younger students might just compare and contrast plot elements or themes.

Personal Response:

I enjoyed reading this book with my two sons. They enjoyed the fight with the bear and thought a lot of dialogue was “silly.” Their favorite part was the tornado roping of the bear. This was an enjoyable story to read aloud and share with the family.

 

 

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