I was searching for a great horse-themed book to give my daughter's best friend this Christmas, and when I came upon this one I knew it would be perfect. I was so taken by it from the 'look inside' preview that I purchased an extra copy for my eldest daughter, who is almost four.
We already own a few Virginia Lee Burton books, including Katy and the Big Snow, which also has a female heroine. This one had me with the first line; "Way out in West Cactus County there was a horse named Calico. She wasn't very pretty... but she was very smart." Something I adore about Virginia Lee Burton's books is that she took these predominantly male-interest subjects (heavy machinery, cowboys) and threw in an unexpected female heroine, making them just as easily accessible to girls as to boys, which in an ideal world they should be. Of course, my daughters identify more with Calico's 'cowboy' Hank and they attempt to emulate him while riding their inflatable Rody bouncy-horse, which they have affectionately renamed Calico.
The comic-style book, which practically begs to be read in an old-western accent, continues to narrate the tale of Cactus County, a peaceable town with only one enemy: The moustache-curling Stewy Stinker and his gang of 'Bad Men,' Butch Bones, Snake-Eye Pyezon, Buzzard Bates, and Little Skunk Skeeter 'who tags along because nobody else likes him.' The description of the various characters is quite entertaining. Early on, you're clued in that 'Stewy Stinker was said to be so mean he would hold up Santa Claus on Christmas Eve,' and ultimately this is what takes place - in a sense - bringing the baddest of bad men, Stewy Stinker himself, to tears, and ultimately redemption. The ending is a happy one, where all are invited - even the bad guys per Calico's advice - to the Christmas Eve party that they almost crashed.
This Christmas theme, which was previously unknown to me, worked well since we were giving these as Christmas presents.
Calico's story is a good one. It's entertaining, it has suspense and drama and interesting, amusing characters. Both my daughter's friend who received this book, and my two daughters (2 and 4 years) were riveted to the story, and it's not terribly short, though the pictures are plentiful and absolutely stunning high-contrast black and white scratchboard. I wish I could frame that first picture of Calico, I like it that much. The illustrations are a different style from most of the other Virginia Lee Burton books we own, but are equally if not (in some ways) more captivating.
My only gripe is with the edition of this book that is currently for sale here. Ours fell apart, literally, after the first reading. Luckily, the binding is sewn, so glue sufficed as a repair, though the first page is kind of messed up now. For $7.99, I'd like to buy a book that lasts more than one read. If I were to buy it again, I might try to locate an older, used copy instead of throwing away money on a lousy, cheap China printing that didn't stand the test of 5 minute's time.
As for the book itself, I'd highly recommend it, though I would bring to the attention of potential buyers that there is a gun-fight midway through the book, as this might be offensive or too mature a subject matter for some readers.
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Good condition, I think not
My book was advertised as in good condition. Arrived with masking tape covering some text and lots of ripped out pages. The condition was worse than poor, it was unreadable. I'm asking for a refund.
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