Genre 2 - The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Goble, Paul. 1978. THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 0689716966

2. PLOT SUMMARY
THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES is a tale of following one’s heart and seeking destiny. This Native American legend tells of a girl whose love for the wild horses that roam the hills of her village will eventually lead her away from her family and home. Instinctively, the animals protect and accept the girl, knowing that her heart truly beats for them. After a year of being gone from her home, she is found and brought back to her village, where her longing heart soon makes her ill. Knowing that she will only thrive in health and happiness when with the wild horses, the girl’s parents relinquish her to the life she desires. After many years of running with the wild horses, the girl disappears, but a beautiful mare is seen beside the beautiful stallion that the girl loved so much. It is believed that the girl “had surely become one of the wild horses at last.”

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Through his words and paintings, Paul Goble tells a beautiful story of a Native American girl whose heart leads her on a life-changing journey. This folktale embodies the conventional elements of traditional tales with its transformational motif (from human to horse) and cultural relevance. The setting is simple, yet clear and provides the perfect foundation for the events that play out. As with many folktales, readers see time pass in the blink of an eye, as years pass with nothing more than the turn of a page. Goble does an excellent job of highlighting the human nature of the wild horses through their ability to “talk” to the girl and take her in as one of their own. Remaining true to the Native American culture, the author ensures that the importance of the natural world is emphasized through the words of his tale and, ultimately, the ending events. Adding further authenticity, Goble incorporates Native American heritage through the inclusion of two traditional songs.

The detailed paintings that Goble uses to illustrate his tale swaddle the pages in color and symbolic representation. Though the art is two-dimensional, the movement in each page carries readers through the story, from one page to the next. The bold colors of the characters and setting contrast the white background of the pages with striking vividness, and the simple words and font allows the art to tell much of the story.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Paul Goble's beautifully-told, Caldecott Award-winning book receives a fine treatment”
Review in CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “Beautiful, bright color illustrations on every spread expand upon the spare, but effective text. A true delight for those who love folklore and horses.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Follow the reading of THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES with other Paul Goble Native American folktales, making note of the similarities and differences in the stories.
*Lead children in a discussion of the meaning or moral of each folktale. Consider how other cultures may teach the same lessons.
*Using instruments and traditional Native American clothing/props, sing the two songs provided at the end of the book.