Wild Appaloosa

by Glen Rounds

A handsome, wild Appaloosa filly, desired by wild horse hunters, makes a young boy's dream come true.

32 pages, Library Binding

First published June 1, 1983

About the author

Glen Harold Rounds was a distinguished American writer and illustrator whose career spanned over six decades, during which he wrote and illustrated more than 100 books. Known for his vivid storytelling and masterful illustrations, Rounds garnered over 25 literary awards, cementing his legacy as one of the prominent children's authors and illustrators of his time.
Born in a sod house near Wall, South Dakota, Rounds had a rugged childhood that involved various jobs such as baker, cook, and ranch hand, alongside adventures in the carnival and logging industries. His early years on a Montana ranch provided a rich foundation for the characters and landscapes that would appear in his later works. Rounds was drawn to art from a young age, and after studying painting and drawing at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Art Students League of New York, he spent time touring the Western U.S. with fellow student Jackson Pollock and their teacher, Thomas Hart Benton. It was during this period that Rounds began his lifelong pursuit of illustrating stories.
Rounds’ breakthrough came with Ol' Paul, the Mighty Logger (1936), a collection of Paul Bunyan stories he largely created himself. The book's success launched his career, and he went on to write and illustrate numerous titles, including The Blind Colt (1941) and the Whitey series, which featured a young Montana cowboy. His works often explored themes of the American West, wildlife, and the natural world, with a unique ability to convey both humor and pathos through his illustrations and writing.
Throughout his career, Rounds introduced a variety of beloved characters, including Mr. Yowder, the itinerant sign painter, and his books continued to win critical acclaim. Even in his later years, after arthritis forced him to switch to drawing with his left hand, Rounds remained a prolific creator. His last book, Beavers (1999), was lauded for its informative and succinct prose, paired with illustrations that demonstrated his enduring skill and patience.
Rounds received numerous accolades, including the Kerlan Award (1980) and the North Carolina Award for Literature (1981). He was also inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2002, shortly before his death. His works continue to be celebrated for their captivating illustrations and stories that bring the American landscape and its characters to life.

Reviews

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all unlike the two other books that I have previously enjoyed from Glen Rounds this book has more of a sad note as it focuses on the end of the sturdy little mustang and the place that man has in it. What makes it harder for me is to know all the cruel ways that have been used to remove such a symbolic creature while seeing it in the pages of a book geared towards a younger crowd although most of the grisly details are left out.

Like the other two books that I have read, Glen leaves the animals without a voice and more or less reliant on the whimsical nature of his characters. Although there are some that are bad people, there are also those that are good. There are some who are old and wise in horseflesh and others who are young, indecisive and worried without putting trust in the ways of the animals under their control. And then there are those who are just doing a job and not caring what happens to their charges as long as they get the money for it.

The writing is simple and easy to follow for the youngest of readers although I would suggest this towards more advanced readers. If you want the book to be an interactive type then you could study what plants and/or animals could be found in the Badlands or the Badlands themselves in all their rugged glory.

And as his telltale sign the illustrations are barely sketch figures, somewhat more refined. It makes it interesting for in most cases it leaves the filly still within her herd until she is removed and the defining markings become more relevant.

All in all a good book, although the ending is a bit lacking, even if there is the sad story of the end of the mustangs....

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very charming book about an Appaloosa-colored mustang filly that gets into a lot of trouble. A nice antidote for all of the crap written today. It's supposedly for children but I think older folk will like it, too. Don't let the label "children's book" fool you. This is not a treacly-sweet. Some major crap goes down (very much in the world at the time) and yet the book does not become depressing.

That's a fine line for a writer to balance on. Glen Rounds does it very well with his simple yet elegant doodles and his spare but enthralling text. Readers familiar with Rounds' other horse or cowboy books will find this pleasantly familiar territory. Enjoy -- whether you love horses or cowboys or not.

Here's a look at the cover:

[Janet Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid and remembered it by the unique, original artwork. At age 58 I am revisiting some of the stories I used to enjoy and this was a neat one. Glen Rounds does a wonderful job immersing you in the story with great details of the land and what it would feel like to be there. You get a sense of watching the story from a hilltop where you never really get too close but have enough information to understand completely. A wild land and a lonely filly, with a satisfying ending that makes you want to know what happens afterwards.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoy a good horse story no matter how cliche the plot