Wild Horse Annie ― Friend of the Mustangs

Wild Horse Annie was the nickname of Velma Bronn Johnston (1912–77), loved mustangs all her life. When she saw mustangs being rounded up and killed to make room for ranchers’ livestock, she knew she had to speak up. In 1950, she began writing letters to local newspapers and politicians, defending the horses' right to raom free.

Many people told Annie to hush up, but they couldn’t stop her. She soon became a voice for mustangs throughout the state of Nevada, speaking on their behalf at town halls and meetings.

But Annie was only one person, and she wanted to do more. So she got children to speak up, too, by having them write letters to Washington, D.C., officials to ask them to save the mustangs. Finally, with the help of her young “pencil brigade,” Annie persuaded Congress to pass nationwide laws protecting wild horses and burros on public land nationwide.

Readers will find inspiration in this portrait of an early animal-rights advocate, who spoke up for what she believed in, and empowered a generation of children to be a voice for the voiceless.

Tracey Fern is the author of several other picture books, including Dare the Wind and Barnum's Bones, both Junior Library Guild selections. She lives in West Newton, Massachusetts.

Steven Salerno has illustrated more than 30 popular picture books, including The Fantastic Ferris Wheel: The Story of Inventor George Ferris, Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates, and The Kid from Diamond Street. His illustrations also appear in advertising, magazines, and product packaging. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, he lives and works in New York City.