Kindergarten-Grade 3-Mr. West Wind plagues Abigail Muchmore's land day and night. This patient and fiercely independent woman tolerates the havoc that the constant blowing creates on her farm until the impudent zephyr decides to play some tricks on her. First, her "fancy, new, store-bought bloomers" are sent sailing all the way to Sam Golightly's place, followed by the pears right off her trees. The final straw comes when her beloved Tornado Pup is propelled clear into the next county. Her good temper gone, Abigail lassoes her devilish foe and imprisons him in her storm cellar where she extracts promises from him to return her dog and to stop his constant barrage. Once liberated, he stays true to his word, and he and Abigail enjoy a peaceful coexistence. Somewhat pallid watercolors create a quieter mood than is warranted for this lively, humorous tall tale. Readers may also question Abigail's ability to lasso and capture a wind that is capable of uprooting trees and livestock, as she is depicted in the pictures as being slight and aged. Mr. West Wind himself is also problematic because rather than being represented as a strong force of nature, he is painted as a kind of bloated, overgrown cherub. Ultimately, this is a mismatch of text and artwork.
