Fun TRUE story of the Wisconsin HODAG! ( )

Ole Swensen and the other lumberjacks in his camp find they have an unexpected ally in this retelling of a folktale from the northern woods of Wisconsin. When their greedy and dishonest boss man informs them that they will not be paid, unless they can clear an entire hill of trees by the next week, they know they have a problem. There simply aren't enough hours in the day to get the work done, and they don't dare work at night for fear of the terrible Hodag - a creature with the head of an ox, the feet of a bear, the back of a dinosaur and the tail of an alligator. But as is so often the case, nothing is quite as it seems...

I have fond memories of a fifth-grade school project that involved writing a series of mini-biographies of the American Tall Tale heroes, and have had a soft spot in my heart for them ever since. I'm particularly fond of lumberjack tales, so this story set in the north woods was a real hit with me! An engaging tale that addresses themes such as the need to use resources wisely, and to live in harmony with the natural world, The Terrible Hodag concludes in a most satisfactory way! The acrylic illustrations by Lambert Davis are also very appealing, emphasizing the wonder of the story. All in all, an excellent book for those readers with an interest in regional American folklore - I only wish it were still in print! ( )