McBroom and the Big Wind

I believe this is the second "McBroom" book, originally published in 1967, and it's illustrated by original artist Kurt Werth who did the first three books. Having just read McBROOM'S GHOST and noted the rather unattractive way in which the redheaded rural family is drawn in that one, I have to mention that Werth's art is more conventionally "pretty", if also more cartoony and less distinctive than that of Robert Frankenberg. Well, "perfect" illustrations aren't easy, and somehow for me at least the pictures never quite match Fleischman's charming text. But that's a small quibble. Here we are regaled with the story of how McBroom gets a broken leg due to a bigger-than-usual wind - but of course, we have to wait until the end of the book to find out how, exactly, he broke it. How big is the wind? Powerful blustery, I'd say; it threatens to blow away all of McBroom's wonderful topsoil, until the marbles dropped by one of the kids (was is WillJILLHesterCHESTERPeterPOLLYTimTOMMaryLARRY or littleCLARINDA? I forget) grow up into giant stones that hold it down. So blustery that the only way to keep the door of the house from blowing open is to pile some of Mrs McBroom's lead-heavy muffins against it. So blustery that a sheet attached to a plow can turn the farm implement into a speedy sailing vehicle. You get the idea. Loads of fun. I think I liked McBROOM'S GHOST more; maybe I just like winter storms more than spring ones? Recommended to all lovers of tall tales.

My kids and I just love all the McBroom stories. They are tall tales of a family with (I think) 12 kids living on a farm where stuff grows instantaneously after being planted in the "very rich soil". They are totally hilarious!