Sheridan's Ride

An illustrated version of the poem describing the ride of Union General Sheridan to rejoin his troops before the decisive battle of Cedar Creek in 1864

Grade 3-6-- Parker brings to this 1863 narrative poem the same respect for historical events that she demontrated in her versions of Paul Revere's Ride (1985) and Barbara Frietchie (1992, both Greenwillow). The accessibility and dramatic verve of Read's account of Sheridan's mad dash to save the Union troops at the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, remain for modern readers and are ably interpreted in the full-color drawings. Parker plays with perspective, shifting from Sheridan and his valiant black horse, Rienzi, to the cannons of the Confederacy. She takes care to get historical details right, noting in her endnotes where Read took poetic license with historic events. Above all, her illustrations capture the excitement of the original ride; readers feel that "Every nerve of the charger was strained to full play/with Sheridan only ten miles away." A thoughtful gallop through the past. --Kathleen Whalin, Belfast Public Library, ME
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In a companion volume to her Paul Revere's Ride and Barbara Frietchie , Parker has again admirably breathed new life into a classic American poem. Although this verse is less compelling and more obscure than its predecessors, the introductory information on the setting quickly brings readers up to speed, offering a concise and lively take on the October 1864 engagement of the forces of Jubal Early's Confederate Army of the Valley and Philip Sheridan's Union Army of the Shenandoah. Characteristic strong black line art is enlivened by the application of soft color pencils and bright watercolors. Backmatter includes brief biographies of both Sheridan and Read. Budding Civil War buffs will especially enjoy the detailed map of the Battle of Cedar Creek as well as the relevant "Military and Historical Notes." Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.