Wild Horse Annie: Friend of the Mustangs

Description

Velma Johnston (1912-1977), nicknamed "Wild Horse Annie," loved wild mustangs all her life. When she saw mustangs being rounded up and killed to make room for ranchers, she knew she had to speak up. She began writing letters to local newspapers and politicians. Many people told her to hush up, but they couldn't stop Annie. She soon became a voice for mustangs across the state of Nevada. Annie got children to speak up with her, writing letters to Washington, D.C. to ask their elected officials to save the mustangs. In 1971, with the help of her young "pencil brigade," she persuaded Congress to pass a law protecting wild horses and burros on public land. Wild Horse Annie empowered a generation of children to become a voice for the voiceless.

Tracey Fern is the author of many critically acclaimed picture books, including Barnum's Bones, Dare the Wind, and W is for Webster. As a child, she was a member of Wild Horse Annie's pivotal pencil brigade. She lives with her family in West Newton, Massachusetts. Steven Salerno has illustrated thirty popular picture books, including The Fantastic Ferris Wheel: The Story of Inventor George Ferris, Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates, and The Kid from Diamond Street. His illustrations also appear in advertising, magazines, and product packaging. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, he lives and works in New York City. stevensalerno.com

"In folksy language matching Annie's quoted quips, Fern recounts Annie's campaigns to protect mustangs. . .Salerno's sun-drenched illustrations capture the equally hardy spirits of the mustangs and Annie herself. . .An uplifting tale of animal rights, perseverance, and kids' power to make a difference." --Kirkus Reviews "Salerno's full-page mixed-media illustrations exude the expanse of the West and invite intimacy with Annie all while maintaining a playful air of adventure. Readers will root for Annie and the mustangs she fought to protect. Teachers can use the book as a springboard for discussions about activism or the impact of habitat loss on wild animals. . ." --School Library Journal "Annie's passion and persistence in the face of long odds resonates." --Publishers Weekly "This look at how one motivated individual and an army of young idealists can effect change may leave readers with the encouragement needed to tackle their own campaigns." --The Horn Book