Susan Lowell

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

Author Susan Lowell and illustrator Jane Manning retell that most famous of fairy-tales in this entertaining picture book, transplanting the story of Cinderella to the wild west. When her father remarries the orneriest woman west of the Mississippi, sweet Cindy Ellen finds her life made miserable by this stepmother and her two nasty daughters. When the local cattle king throws a rodeo and square dance, it seems that our heroine won't be able to attend, until her gun-toting fairy godmother show more appears and gives her all the finery she needs. Winning the heart of Joe Prince, the rodeo champion son of the cattle king, Cindy Ellen flees at midnight, leaving behind her diamond-studded spur. Now Joe must seek his charming love...

I've read a number of other titles illustrated by Manning, but Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella is my first book from Lowell, whose family (according to the rear dust-jacket blurb) has lived in the American West since Gold Rush days, and whose other picture books appear to also have a western setting, many of them being transplanted tales like this one. In any case, I found this one amusing. It felt a little over the top at times, but I think the frequent use of western phrases and idioms was quite fun—I even learned that "cayuse" is an archaic western word for an unruly horse, something I never knew before—and the use of horse and rodeo culture to tell the tale entertaining. The artwork was colorful and expressive, matching the humor of the tale. Although I don't think this is destined to become a favorite, of the many Cinderella retellings I have read, I would recommend it to picture book audiences looking for unusual examples of this tale type, or for humorous stories set in the American West. show less