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Comment: This book is in Good condition. There may be some notes and highligting but otherwise the book is in overall good condition
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Calico the Wonder Horse, or the Saga of Stewy Stinker Paperback – Picture Book, September 9, 1996

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 162 ratings

In comic-strip format, this action-packed western drama is complete with cattle rustling and kidnapping, a stampede, a holdup, and a thrilling chase. From start to bang-up finish, Calico the Wonder Horse outruns and outsmarts the double-dyed villains -- and, of course, saves the day!
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Complete with lightening bolt and clouds of churned-up dust, for its tale of good and evil in the wild West." Publishers Weekly

"Burton's rootin'-tootin' comic-book-style Western was and still is completely original, with its varied-colored pages and experimental graphic design. i! Yi! Whoopee!to the publishers for reissuing this progressive and energetic classic--with the villain's name properly and alliteratively restored to boot." Horn Book, Fanfare —

About the Author

Virginia Lee Burton (1909-1968) was the talented author and illustrator of some of the most enduring books ever written for children. The winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal for THE LITTLE HOUSE, Burton's books include heroes and happy endings, lively illustrations, and a dash of nostalgia. She lived with her two sons, Aristides and Michael, and her husband George Demetrios, the sculptor, in a section of Gloucester, Massachusetts, called Folly Cove. Here she taught a class in design and from it emerged the Folly Cove designers, a group of internationally known professional artisans. She is the author of many classic children's picture books, including MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL and KATY AND THE BIG SNOW.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books (September 9, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0395845416
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0395845417
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 8 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 720L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.99 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.19 x 0.33 x 5.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 162 ratings

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Virginia Lee Burton
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Virginia Lee Burton was the talented author and illustrator of some of the most enduring books ever written for children. The winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal for The Little House, Burton's books include heroes and happy endings, lively illustrations, and a dash of nostalgia. She lived with her two sons, Aristides and Michael, and her husband George Demetrios, the sculptor, in a section of Gloucester, Massachusetts, called Folly Cove. Here she taught a class in design and from it emerged the Folly Cove designers, a group of internationally known professional artisans.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
162 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story enjoyable and timeless. They appreciate the beautiful illustrations in high-contrast black and white scratchboard. The book is described as a classic with adventures and a slight Christmas twist. Readers describe it as an entertaining read for both children and adults. The characters are amusing and well-developed, creating the rough character of the cowboys and horse.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

20 customers mention "Story quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it timeless and a classic with adventures. The book is well-written and meaningful, with beautiful illustrations throughout. Readers mention it's an interesting slice of nostalgia and well-written.

"...Calico's story is a good one. It's entertaining, it has suspense and drama and interesting, amusing characters...." Read more

"...It's great even though it's in black and white. The story is very entertaining. The book is for my grandkids, but my husband and I enjoyed it too." Read more

"...A great story which stays with one--Stewy Stinker as the bad guy. How can one forget that?..." Read more

"We love Virginia Lee Burton and this is another one of her wonderful stories. It’s a bit long, but satisfies the cowboy and equestrian enthusiasts...." Read more

18 customers mention "Illustrations"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's illustrations. They find the pictures stunning and high-contrast in black and white scratchboard. The book is described as cute and a work of art.

"...riveted to the story, and it's not terribly short, though the pictures are plentiful and absolutely stunning high-contrast black and white..." Read more

"The artwork caught my eye. It's great even though it's in black and white. The story is very entertaining...." Read more

"...A "comic book" with wonderful illustrations and colored pages to add interest...." Read more

"...all of her stories and Calico the Wonder Horse is a beautiful addition to my collection!" Read more

6 customers mention "Value for money"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money. They appreciate the great illustrations and story worth reading to children.

"The artwork caught my eye. It's great even though it's in black and white. The story is very entertaining...." Read more

"What can I say....I bought 8 of them. Childhood memories and wonderful, timeless story. Loved the new cover." Read more

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful Calico..." Read more

"Great illustrations and wonderful story worth reading to your children!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it entertaining and enjoyable for both adults and children. The book has suspense and drama with interesting characters.

"...Calico's story is a good one. It's entertaining, it has suspense and drama and interesting, amusing characters...." Read more

"A must have for children of all ages. As enjoyable to the adult to read as it is to the child." Read more

"Fun book. 4yo is enthralled by the cactus needles all over stinky. Nice story with a slight Christmas twist." Read more

"Entertaining little book..." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters amusing and rough. The drawings create a realistic look for the cowboys and horses.

"...It's entertaining, it has suspense and drama and interesting, amusing characters...." Read more

"...The black and white drawings are exciting and created the rough character of the cowboys and the horse thieves...." Read more

"Gorgeous illustrations, fun characters, compelling story. A wonderful book for the whole family." Read more

3 customers mention "Language"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-written stories in cowboy language. They find the book meaningful and enjoyable to read aloud. Readers describe it as quality children's literature.

"Virginia Lee Burton's stories are so well-written and meaningful. They touch my heart in ways that take me straight back to my childhood...." Read more

"LOVE this book. Perfectly told in cowboy language. Was the perfect gift for my cowgirl mom. ❤️" Read more

"...A rousing tale, with vivid block prints to illustrate it. It is best read aloud, with feeling! A beloved classic in my household!" Read more

Good condition, I think not
1 out of 5 stars
Good condition, I think not
My book was advertised as in good condition. Arrived with masking tape covering some text and lots of ripped out pages. The condition was worse than poor, it was unreadable. I'm asking for a refund.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2010
    I was searching for a great horse-themed book to give my daughter's best friend this Christmas, and when I came upon this one I knew it would be perfect. I was so taken by it from the 'look inside' preview that I purchased an extra copy for my eldest daughter, who is almost four.

    We already own a few Virginia Lee Burton books, including Katy and the Big Snow, which also has a female heroine. This one had me with the first line; "Way out in West Cactus County there was a horse named Calico. She wasn't very pretty... but she was very smart." Something I adore about Virginia Lee Burton's books is that she took these predominantly male-interest subjects (heavy machinery, cowboys) and threw in an unexpected female heroine, making them just as easily accessible to girls as to boys, which in an ideal world they should be. Of course, my daughters identify more with Calico's 'cowboy' Hank and they attempt to emulate him while riding their inflatable Rody bouncy-horse, which they have affectionately renamed Calico.

    The comic-style book, which practically begs to be read in an old-western accent, continues to narrate the tale of Cactus County, a peaceable town with only one enemy: The moustache-curling Stewy Stinker and his gang of 'Bad Men,' Butch Bones, Snake-Eye Pyezon, Buzzard Bates, and Little Skunk Skeeter 'who tags along because nobody else likes him.' The description of the various characters is quite entertaining. Early on, you're clued in that 'Stewy Stinker was said to be so mean he would hold up Santa Claus on Christmas Eve,' and ultimately this is what takes place - in a sense - bringing the baddest of bad men, Stewy Stinker himself, to tears, and ultimately redemption. The ending is a happy one, where all are invited - even the bad guys per Calico's advice - to the Christmas Eve party that they almost crashed.

    This Christmas theme, which was previously unknown to me, worked well since we were giving these as Christmas presents.

    Calico's story is a good one. It's entertaining, it has suspense and drama and interesting, amusing characters. Both my daughter's friend who received this book, and my two daughters (2 and 4 years) were riveted to the story, and it's not terribly short, though the pictures are plentiful and absolutely stunning high-contrast black and white scratchboard. I wish I could frame that first picture of Calico, I like it that much. The illustrations are a different style from most of the other Virginia Lee Burton books we own, but are equally if not (in some ways) more captivating.

    My only gripe is with the edition of this book that is currently for sale here. Ours fell apart, literally, after the first reading. Luckily, the binding is sewn, so glue sufficed as a repair, though the first page is kind of messed up now. For $7.99, I'd like to buy a book that lasts more than one read. If I were to buy it again, I might try to locate an older, used copy instead of throwing away money on a lousy, cheap China printing that didn't stand the test of 5 minute's time.

    As for the book itself, I'd highly recommend it, though I would bring to the attention of potential buyers that there is a gun-fight midway through the book, as this might be offensive or too mature a subject matter for some readers.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021
    The artwork caught my eye. It's great even though it's in black and white. The story is very entertaining. The book is for my grandkids, but my husband and I enjoyed it too.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2024
    When I was in 1st grade, this was my favorite book. I recently bought it to read to my granddaughter. It's hard not to like book where a horse is the hero.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2017
    One of the all-time great kids books. A "comic book" with wonderful illustrations and colored pages to add interest. A great story which stays with one--Stewy Stinker as the bad guy. How can one forget that? I would recommend it for any kid who has a passing fancy for cowboys or horses, or just a good story. We are on the third generation of children who adore this book.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020
    We love Virginia Lee Burton and this is another one of her wonderful stories. It’s a bit long, but satisfies the cowboy and equestrian enthusiasts. It does not have anything to do with Santa Clause, but instead a nice cowboy bringing gifts to a Christmas party gets held up by the bad guy and his gang. Calico, the horse, saves the day and it ends happily for everyone.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2021
    Have most of the books by this author. Only have this 4 stars because of the length for for 4 y/o. He liked the story
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2020
    Virginia Lee Burton's stories are so well-written and meaningful. They touch my heart in ways that take me straight back to my childhood. I love all of her stories and Calico the Wonder Horse is a beautiful addition to my collection!
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2023
    Book was in good condition. This was my brother's favorite store as a child and now that he is in his 60s he can share a memory with his grandson

Top reviews from other countries

  • M.Diane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recipient loves this book !
    Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2021
    This delightful book was a Christmas present shipped directly from Amazon to my seven year old grandson. I did not see it but I am told that he loves it. He also has other titles by this author - Virginia Lee Burton.
  • Barbara Ellen
    5.0 out of 5 stars An old favourite
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2013
    Used to read this to my two boys years ago, both remember it with great affection. Recently bought it for my 8 year old grandson, he loves it too. A real classic.