Calico the Wonder Horse, or the Saga of Stewy Stinker [Hardcover]

Virginia Lee Burton (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Way out west in Cactus County there was a horse named Calico. She wasn't very pretty, but she was smart and could run like greased lightning. Everybody in Cactus County was happy until the peaceful inhabitants' cattle were stolen by a band of outlaws led by Stewy Stinker, a man so mean that he'd hold up Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. In comic-strip format, this action-packed western drama is complete with cattle rustling and kidnapping, a stampede, a holdup, and a thrilling chase. From start to bang-up finish, Calico outruns and outsmarts the double-dyed villains - and, of course, saves the day! This equine hero is sure to win a new generation of fans with this Wild West adventure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Burton's rootin'-tootin' comic-book-style Western was and still is completely original, with its varied-colored pages and experimental graphic design. i! Yi! Whoopee!to the publishers for reissuing this progressive and energetic classic--with the villain's name properly and alliteratively restored to boot." Horn Book

"Complete with lightening bolt and clouds of churned-up dust, for its tale of good and evil in the wild West." Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Virginia Lee Burton (1909-1968) was the talented author and illustrator of some of the most enduring books ever written for children. The winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal for THE LITTLE HOUSE, Burton's books include heroes and happy endings, lively illustrations, and a dash of nostalgia. She lived with her two sons, Aristides and Michael, and her husband George Demetrios, the sculptor, in a section of Gloucester, Massachusetts, called Folly Cove. Here she taught a class in design and from it emerged the Folly Cove designers, a group of internationally known professional artisans. She is the author of many classic children's picture books, including MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL and KATY AND THE BIG SNOW.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; None edition (October 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039585735X
• ISBN-13: 978-0395857359
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #896,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Virginia Lee Burton was the talented author and illustrator of some of the most enduring books ever written for children. The winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal for The Little House, Burton's books include heroes and happy endings, lively illustrations, and a dash of nostalgia. She lived with her two sons, Aristides and Michael, and her husband George Demetrios, the sculptor, in a section of Gloucester, Massachusetts, called Folly Cove. Here she taught a class in design and from it emerged the Folly Cove designers, a group of internationally known professional artisans.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calico to the Rescue....., February 27, 2002

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calico the Wonder Horse, or the Saga of Stewy Stinker (Paperback)

"Way out west in Cactus County there was a horse named Calico. She wasn't very pretty...but she was very smart. She was the smartest fastest horse in all of Cactus County." She could run like "greased lightning", and she could smell like a bloodhound. "Her nose was so keen she could track a bee through a blizzard." She was owned by a cowboy named Hank, and "...she would go to the end of the trail for Hank. They had a language all their own and understood each other perfectly." Life was good and happy for everyone who lived in Cactus County, no locks, no fences, and no sheriff or jail. But across the Cactus River were the Badlands where the villains of this story lived. And the meanest, sneakiest, absolutely worst bad man of them all was Stewy Stinker. He was so mean, "he would hold up Santa Claus on Christmas Eve if he had a chance." So sit back and get comfortable and see what happened when Stewy Stinker and his nasty gang came to town..... First published in 1941, Calico The Wonder Horse is as fresh and entertaining today, as it was over fifty years ago. This is an old fashioned, action packed, rootin' tootin' western that has it all...cattle rustling, hold-ups, a stampede and kidnapping, a wild and thrilling stagecoach chase, and through it all, Calico comes to the rescue, outsmarts the bad guys and saves the day. Virginia Lee Burton's clever, witty text is dramatic, engaging and full of wild west colloquialisms that will have both kids and adults laughing and cheering at all the fun. Her marvelous comic strip illustrations are expressive and full of detail and beg to be pored over and explored. Put it all together and you have the makings of a timeless classic to share with friends, family and future generations. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Calico The Wonder Horse is a masterpiece and a MUST for every home library.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Symphony in Comics, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Calico the Wonder Horse, or the Saga of Stewy Stinker (Hardcover)

I am a big fan of Virginia Lee Burton and Calico the Wonder Horse is another example of her great illustrations and story lines. The story is action packed; you laugh, you cry, and you want the good guy to win and live happily ever after. What is interesting about this book is that the color of the pages correspond with the action of the story. It is an all around good read for you and your child.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buzzard Bates fan, April 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Calico the Wonder Horse, or the Saga of Stewy Stinker (Paperback)

My 2 1/2 year old daughter and I love this book! Best of all, and unlike many of our other favorites, the hero (Calico) is female whose merit is based on her intellect and problem-solving skills. I really like that subliminal message. I'll admit that at first I was a little put off by the artsy "comic book" format, but it grows on you, and I appreciate it more each time I read it. This book and Mike Mulligan are must-have Burton books.