Ima & the Great Texas Ostrich Race
Kindergarten-Grade 3-While the great ostrich race is fiction, the "mettle" of Miss Ima is not. Daughter of the late-19th-century Texas governor James Hogg, Ima grew up to be Houston's-and Texas's-most beloved philanthropist. McManis takes a historical tidbit of ostriches in the governor's mansion in Austin and shows readers a 10-year-old Ima who is determined to best her taunting brothers by racing her Ossy against their fine quarter horses. Among the charming vernacular is this inspiration: "Dirt clogged my throat and eyes, but mettle filled my heart." Dupree's cartoon watercolors nicely complement McManis's description of Ima's pluck, and the quilt blocks (yellow rose, bluebonnet, lone star, etc.) in the corners of most paintings are an inspired touch. This tall tale not only fits Miss Ima's character but should also motivate youngsters to learn more about this fine, humble Texas woman.John Sigwald, Unger Memorial Library, Plainview, TXCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.