The Foot-Stomping Adventures of Clementine Sweet

by Kitty Griffin, Kathy Combs, Mike Wohnoutka (Illustrator)

This here's the story of the meanest, most ornery and pugnacious, pigtail-wearing, pint-sized person in the whole entire Texas Hill Country, and how she saved the town of Lovett from getting blown clear off the map. It's the story of little Clementine Sweet, the youngest of fourteen, who gets so tired of being forgotten about that she starts stomping on people's feet just to get noticed. Things look pretty bad for the sore-footed folks of Lovett until Clementine finally discovers a better use for her extra strong legs and super tough feet, and the townspeople can put away their steel-toed shoes and start two-stepping again. Vibrant illustrations capture all the spunk and exaggeration of this uproarious tale, full of fun-to-read-aloud true Texas slang. Clementine Sweet's frustrations and triumphs will enthrall little cowgirls and cowboys everywhere.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 22, 2004

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree]

The Goodreads summary for this book prepares me -- in theory at least -- for "all the spunk and exaggeration of this uproarious tale".

Hey, I'll give it a chance, but I'll admit that the rah-rah title totally turned me off. Now, as a Goodreads Reader, I'll give myself over to exploring what this picture book really has to offer....

By the time I open up the cover, spotting the red end paper with cowboy boots, I start laughing. Funny thing about picture books, each one can be like a magic carpet ride.

Maybe I'll like this noisy Texas adventure with what (again, according to the Boodreads blurb) awaits readers in terms of fun-to-read-aloud true Texas slang.

BEING INTRODUCED UP-FRONT TO ALL THESE CHARACTERS
IT'S KIND OF A HOOT

Took me a while to realize that everybody's name began with the letter C.

To paraphrase Dante, as he memorably described what was written on the gates to Hell: "Abandon expectations, all ye who enter here."

FALLING IN LOVE WITH THAT TOUGH-FOOTED CLEMENTINE? POSSIBLE?

Yes-No-Definitely. As we approached the (very) happy ending I was SOOOOO rooting for her.

Actually, I was kind of crying.

THANK YOU

I mean you, authors Kitty Griffin and Kathy Combs and artist Mike Wohnoutka!

[Taylor Welch]

I loved this book! I thought it was super cute and had wonderful illustrations. This book is recommended for students aged 4-7.

[Jill]

Summary:
Clementine's family ignores her on her 6th birthday and she gets mad. She starts stomping people's feet. Her feet become so strong that she untangles a tornado to save Lovett, TX.

Reflection:
Fun story line with exciting details. Fun western jargon and great illustrations.

Themes:
behavior, Texas, humor, talltales

[Matthew]

This is another excellent tall tale from the same author team that wrote Cowboy Sam and the Confounded Secrets though I wasn't as taken with this one due in large part to the toe stomping that the main character gets away with. She's kind of an out-of-control bully for most of the book and the wrongness of that is never really addressed.

[Laura]

Fun book and great illustrations.

[Jessica]

Very witty southern phrases. Story was a little weird, but cute.

Picture book

[Sarah W]

Warmed my Texas heart.

[Nicole Bergen]

Very cute plot!