The Little Pioneer

Author: Hancher, Adam

Number Of Pages: 32

Details:

Perfect for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, this picture book about one little girl's journey westward is engaging and appropriate for younger readers. Children of all ages will be captivated by one brave girl's adventures come to life as she relates the challenges, excitement, and dangers of the American frontier. Filled with drama and gorgeous, evocative illustrations, this first-person tale is a testament to the determination, solidarity, and courage of the early pioneers, each chasing their own American Dream. "a powerful message about hope and resilience . . . A spectacular visual journey through time, great for read-alouds."

— School Library Journal

From School Library Journal K-Gr 3—Set in 1849, the story follows a young girl's journey westward with her widowed mother and younger brothers in tow. Armed with just a glimmer of hope, the family loads all of their possessions onto an old wooden wagon and embarks on an uncertain trek across the Great Plains. A "gruff" old mountain man by the name of Mr. Reed leads them on their journey. Initially, he is thought of as being a wild man, and the girl avoids him at all cost. However, after being faced with several seemingly insurmountable obstacles, she soon learns that "it helps to know wild folks" in wild places. In the end, the child finds an unlikely hero in both herself and Mr. Reed. Told from the young girl's point of view, the story provides a realistic portrayal of the highs and lows of the budding pioneer's experiences. However, the true brilliance of this story is captured in the illustrations. As the story unfolds, images shift from light to dark, displaying a contrast between hope and despair. Broken dialect add a layer of realism and make characters more appealing. Likewise, a powerful message about hope and resilience serves as an overarching theme. VERDICT A spectacular visual journey through time, great for read-alouds.—Andrea Jamison, Lincoln Elementary School, Calumet City, IL

Reviews:

"a powerful message about hope and resilience . . . A spectacular visual journey through time, great for read-alouds."

— School Library Journal

About the Author:

ADAM HANCHER is an illustrator whose interest in the American West began with Westerns and landscapes. Adam became fascinated with tales of the Westward Expansion, and this story was inspired by many pioneer journals and personal accounts of life in the 1800s. There is a strong focus on narrative within his illustrations, often dealing with complex emotions and personal journeys. Says Adam, "My inspirations lie within fantasy, mythology of various cultures, lonesome Western landscapes, thick evergreen forests, and design work from the mid-1900s." His illustrations have appeared in the  Guardian, the  Wall Street Journal,  GQ,  Wired, and  O, the Oprah Magazine. Adam is based in London, England. See more of his work at adamhancher.co.uk....

EAN: 9781524717926

Release Date: 02-01-2018

Languages: English

Item Condition: New

Binding: Hardcover