Susan Lowell

I thought nobody needed another Christmas book. But I was wrong. I mean, gave five stars (!) to the creators' [b:The Three Little Javelinas|875593|The Three Little Javelinas|Susan Lowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348346064l/875593._SX50_.jpg|860936], so I had to read this. Turns out it's almost as charming as the companion. Yay for spicy cookies, 8 little mule deer, cowboy boots full of stocking stuffers... and forgiveness & brotherly love.

I can't show more believe I'm doing it again. Five stars means, in my system, that everyone should read this. Well, yes, I do believe everyone I know would be delighted, and I do recommend it highly. show less

Author Susan Lowell and illustrator Randy Cecil join forces in this southwestern retelling of that classic fairy-tale, Little Red Riding Hood. Dispatched to visit her sick grandmother with some homemade bread and cactus jelly, Little Red—so named for her red hair and red cowboy hat—is warned by her mother to look out for snakes, but it's the wily lobo who poses the real danger. Escaping his clutches, Little Red makes it to her grandmother's house, only to find that the wolf is in her show more elderly relative's bed. Fortunately for our young heroine, her grandmother isn't the kind to be taken in (or eaten), and shotgun in hand she and Little Red chase off that varmint...

Published in 1997, Little Red Cowboy Hat is the third picture book featuring a traditional European fairy-tale transplanted to the American southwest that I have read from this author, following upon her Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella and The Bootmaker and the Elves. Apparently Lowell's family has lived in Arizona for many generations, thus accounting for her work being largely set in that region. In any case, like the author's other books, I enjoyed this one from a storytelling perspective, appreciating the humor and heart of the narrative, and the use of colorful dialect. I did wonder if a tale featuring a shotgun so prominently would be published today, but leaving that aside, my main critique here would be the artwork. I've read other picture books illustrated by Randy Cecil that I enjoyed, but something about the visuals here just didn't work for me. The bold colors felt appropriate for the setting, but the overall effect was too flat. Tastes vary of course, and some might find these illustrations fun, so I didn't deduct any stars. Recommended to picture book audiences who enjoy folk and fairy-tales with a southwestern flavor. show less

That classic fairy-tale from the Brothers Grimm, The Elves and the Shoemaker, is transplanted to the American southwest in this entertaining picture book from author Susan Lowell and illustrator Tom Curry. A poor cowboy boot maker with negligible skills at his craft finds himself the beneficiary of magical help when the leather he cuts and lays out for the next day is made into a beautiful pair of boots in the night. So it goes, as the boot maker's fortunes slowly improve thanks to the help show more of his nighttime visitors. Deciding to keep watch one night, he and his wife discover that they are being aided by two elves, and set out to show their gratitude...

The Bootmaker and the Elves is the second picture book I have read from Lowell, following upon her Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella, which also featured a classic fairy-tale transplanted to a western setting. According to the note that is included in the rear dust-jacket blurb, the author is a fourth-generation Arizonan, perhaps explaining why this region seems to feature so regularly in her work. In any case, I enjoyed this one, appreciating the fun western lingo, the cowboy cultural details, and the overall sense of humor to be found in her telling of the tale. The accompanying illustrations, created using an acrylic drybrush technique on hardboard, were likewise appealing, with a stylized aesthetic and sometimes surreal feeling—I particularly loved the scene in which all kinds of fantastical boots are flying around in the boot maker's dream!—that was well-matched to the tale. Recommended to picture book readers looking for fun fairy-tales with a western flavor. show less

I love that Grandma is not left behind. I love that nobody dies. I love that there are no "wild Indians" but instead encounters with named First Peoples. I love that they take the Santa Fe and Gila trails instead of the Oregon trail (there are plenty of stories about all those things already).

The illustrations have so many details, just like a story quilt. They're even richer and more vibrant than those of Patricia Polacco, though reminiscent of those. Spend time with them.

And don't miss show more the author's note and list of resources!

Btw, no, there is no elephant. But if you actually read the book with a child old enough to learn, instead of paging through in a rush with a squirmy rugrat, you'll have no trouble understanding the metaphor.

I recommend rereading it, too, because there are things that one might miss the first time in the headlong rush to get to California with the family. For example the episode reprovisioning and almost being fooled by a con artist into looking for gold (I assume he wanted to sell a worthless claim).

I will continue to look for more by the author. She does her research. show less