The Girl Who Loved Horses by Paul Goble

Bibliography:
Goble, P. 1978. THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES. Ill. Paul Goble. Scarsdale, NY: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0878881212

Plot Summary:
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses depicts the journey taken by a young Native American girl who shares an affinity with the wild horses that lived near her village. While napping with near the herd, a storm frightens both girl and herd causing her to be swept up into the movement of the herd. The morning after the storm she is greeted by the welcoming neigh of the a spotted stallion who was the leader of the wild horses. He invites her to live with the wild horses, which she does until hunters from her village see her with the horses causing her to decide between her family and the wild horses.

Critical Analysis:
Paul Goble has created a book that exemplifies the ideal collaboration between words and images. The story tells the tale of a young girl who longs to be with the wild horses that she loves. Her journey is depicted through writing that is simple while conveying emotion and movement. The words reflects the oral tradition of Native American tribes without limiting the story to any specific tribe. Though based on the tribal lifestyle, Goble’s writing involves the reader in the young girl’s quest to find her place of belonging.

Goble’s color illustrations are done in warm earth tone colors that enhances the connection with nature that is established in the story. Brown, gold, orange, blue and green saturate each page. The illustrations dominate each page becoming a necessary part of the story. The text is sans serif and is visually minimized. One of the most powerful images depicts the storm with rolling black clouds that angle onto the page pushing the stampeding horses forward. The harmony of the text and images make this story a classic.

Awards:
Caldecott Award 1979

Review Excerpts:
The Horn Book: “Storytelling and art express the harmony with and the love of nature which characterize Native American culture“.

Connections:
-Other books by Paul Goble: Red Hawk’s Account of CUSTER’S LAST BATTLE, Brave Eagle’s Account of THE FETTERMAN FIGHT, LONE BULL’S HORSE RAID, LEGEND OF THE WHITE BUFFALO WOMAN, MYSTIC HORSE, and THE FRIENDLY WOLF
-Another connection could be based on horses, Native American art, or myths of different Native American tribes
-The students could also be allowed to listen to different Native American music recordings such as songs and chants.