THE GIRL WHO LOVED
WILD HORSES
Goble, Paul. THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES. 1993. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 9780689716966
Plot Summary
A young girl loves horses so much she spends most her time with them, tending to them and their needs. One day the girl falls asleep as the horses graze nearby and a strong storms whips up. The girl jumps on the back of one of the horses and off they go trying to ride out the storm. The nest day the girl and the horses find themselves far from home. Her people eventually find her a return her to the village only to watch her become ill over the separation from the horses. Alas, her peoples see that she must return in order to get well. For a time the girl returns with a new colt for her parents until one day she does not return. The people believe she has turned into one of her beloved horses because they see a beautiful mare with a long flowing mane running beside the spotted stallion.
Critical Analysis
Goble's illustrations of the Native Americans are sparse when it comes to facial characteristics. Long dark hair worn loose or in braids is typical of the Native American culture. I learned in a previous book the hair was a sacred thing and not to be cut. The illustrations are vivid and add immensely to the text providing emotion and movement. Symbols from nature such as the eagle and other animals and the many colors represented in the flowers, the clothing and the tipis are other cultural markers. Transportation was horseback due to the fact these people were hunters and had to be able to move when the herds moved. When the hunters find the girl she throws her blanket into the air in their direction. To me this symbolizes she is separate from her people and now part of the Horse People.
The illustrations can tell the story without the text. Never-the-less, Goble tells that the people trained their fastest horses for hunting. They had to hunt their own food so they were skilled with the bow, arrow and spear as is evident from the illustrations. The girl helped her mother gather wood and carry water to the camp. Figurative language is shown when the speaking of the early morning; " She would often get up at daybreak when the birds were singing about the rising sun." When the hunters tried to lasso the stallion Goble describes the horse; "His eyes shone like cold stars...He snorted and his hooves struck as fast as lightning."The leader of the horses spoke to the girl and welcomed her to live with them keeping the balance and respect of nature and man. In keeping with custom the girl's family gave her a beautiful dress and the best horse in the village for her return to the horses. The people also provided gifts of feather and ribbons for the horses' manes and tails. Special symbols/designs were painted on their bodies.
Supporting the strong bond of respect and family each year the girl would return with a new colt for her family.
Reviews
"The story is good for telling aloud, but the real strength of the book lies in the highly detailed, full page lithographs finely printed in bright colors that correspond with the text. For example, a night scene in a dark canyon is enchanting, conveying well the mood of desolation. The illustrations alone make this worth owning." - School Library Journal
"In this Caldecott Medal book, Goble tells the story of how a girl so loved horses that, according to this Native American legend, she eventually became one. Beautiful, bright color illustrations on every spread expand upon the spare, but effective text. A true delight for those who love folklore and horses. The text closes with two Native American songs celebrating horses." - Children's Literature
Awards/Connections
The Caldecott Medal 1979
An ALA Notable Children's Book
A NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
One of the Children's Books of the Year; chosen by the Library of Congress
THIRTEEN YEARS ON A TURTLE'S BACK written by Joseph Bruchac
THE LEGEND OF THE INDIAN PAINTBRUSH written by Tomie DePaola
KEEPER OF THE NIGHT: NATIVE AMERICAN STORIES AND NOCTURNAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN (KEEPER S OF THE EARTH) written by Michael Caduto
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