BONNIE BESS: The Weathervane Horse

by Alvin Tresselt ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 22, 1949

A black horse with a plumed tail on a weathervane makes a better bid to popularity than the less familiar eagle of Carl Carmer's Eagle in the Wind (Aladdin- see report last October- P. 525)- but the story echoes that one at many points. Once again the proud, lofty weathervane becomes the hapless victim of circumstances; it takes a tumble off the deserted born, is consigned to a junk heap, rescued by an antique dealer, and is eventually bought by the farmer who has put the old barn back into condition. There's an attempt in the rhythmic text to interpret the weathervane's point of view- it is a straight story of the adventures of Bonnie Boss, told in text and sprawly postery pictures by Marylin Hafner, a new illustrator to me. She shows considerable imagination and promise, and in her technique reminds one of Bemelmans and Duvoisin (appealing more to adults, perhaps, than to children, who sometimes find the cartoon drawing of the human beings, and the impressionistic effect of the backgrounds unrealistic and confusing). In a season where good picture books are few and far between, this stands out.

Pub Date: April 22, 1949

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1949

Categories: CHILDREN'S