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tashrow's review
5.0
In poetic lines, Henson paints a picture of Cal's life as a farm boy in the Appalachian Mountains. He helps with the plowing and caring for the livestock, while his younger sister sits always reading. Cal doesn't like to read, because he hates to sit still that long and he really resents it when his sister tries to teach him things. Cal is the first to hear the approaching horse when the Book Lady comes to their farm. She has a bag filled with books, and Cal's father tries to barter for a few, but the Book Lady leaves the books for free! And will return in a few weeks with more! Of course, Cal really doesn't care, until that is the Book Lady comes to their house in the middle of a winter storm solely to deliver books. Cal realizes that there is something more than the physical books driving her, and he intends to find out what it is.
Henson's long slim stanzas on each page, echo the lanky figure of Cal. They also evoke a certain solitude and strength in their structure. And like Cal, there is much more than meets the eye. In those slim stanzas, readers will find evocative images and real depth of thought. It is all done without losing young readers, instead drawing them further into the story. This book is masterfully written.
Small's pictures also evoke the lonely quality of life in the mountains. At the same time, they are often centered upon family as Cal's life is. Lamps and fires glow warmly, and though the rooms are spare they are filled with people and light. This is not a cold existence, but a loving solitary one. Small has captured the feel of solitude without loneliness entering his images.
Highly recommended, this book will expose children to the importance early libraries and librarians put in books. It could be used by modern librarians to start a conversation about the importance of books even though there is no need today for horses. I can see it being used by our Book Mobile Ladies too, an added connection to the history of mobile library service. Really though, it is wonderful enough that it can be read and shared with all sorts of children in all kinds of libraries, classrooms and families. Appropriate for ages 5-9.
Henson's long slim stanzas on each page, echo the lanky figure of Cal. They also evoke a certain solitude and strength in their structure. And like Cal, there is much more than meets the eye. In those slim stanzas, readers will find evocative images and real depth of thought. It is all done without losing young readers, instead drawing them further into the story. This book is masterfully written.
Small's pictures also evoke the lonely quality of life in the mountains. At the same time, they are often centered upon family as Cal's life is. Lamps and fires glow warmly, and though the rooms are spare they are filled with people and light. This is not a cold existence, but a loving solitary one. Small has captured the feel of solitude without loneliness entering his images.
Highly recommended, this book will expose children to the importance early libraries and librarians put in books. It could be used by modern librarians to start a conversation about the importance of books even though there is no need today for horses. I can see it being used by our Book Mobile Ladies too, an added connection to the history of mobile library service. Really though, it is wonderful enough that it can be read and shared with all sorts of children in all kinds of libraries, classrooms and families. Appropriate for ages 5-9.
xterminal's review
4.0
Heather Henson, That Book Woman (Atheneum, 2008)
Of the latest humongous batch of kidlit I picked up from the library, this ended up being my favorite. It's a fictionalized exploration of the Pack Horse Library Project, an Appalachian phenomenon during the WPA days. (There's a fascinating article by Donald C. Boyd in a 2007 issue of Libraries and the Cultural Record with an overview, if you've access.) Told from the tale of an illiterate teen living in a remote area of Kentucky whose sister can't get enough of books. A bit facile when it comes to the narrator's conversion from “I don't need books, I've got farm work” to “wow, I want to read!”, as most kidlit dealing with the subject is, but I was willing to overlook that (well, okay, not completely, or this would be getting four stars) in the greater scheme of telling kids that such a system actually existed—which impresses upon them more about the importance of the written word, I think, than does the actual plot, as long as there's a follow-up “yes, the Book Women really did exist” discussion with the kid. I have another Henson sitting on my shelf waiting for me right now (the YA novel Dream of Night). After reading this, I kicked it way up the priority list; if it's as good, it'll land on my books-of-the-year list for 2011. *** 1/2
Of the latest humongous batch of kidlit I picked up from the library, this ended up being my favorite. It's a fictionalized exploration of the Pack Horse Library Project, an Appalachian phenomenon during the WPA days. (There's a fascinating article by Donald C. Boyd in a 2007 issue of Libraries and the Cultural Record with an overview, if you've access.) Told from the tale of an illiterate teen living in a remote area of Kentucky whose sister can't get enough of books. A bit facile when it comes to the narrator's conversion from “I don't need books, I've got farm work” to “wow, I want to read!”, as most kidlit dealing with the subject is, but I was willing to overlook that (well, okay, not completely, or this would be getting four stars) in the greater scheme of telling kids that such a system actually existed—which impresses upon them more about the importance of the written word, I think, than does the actual plot, as long as there's a follow-up “yes, the Book Women really did exist” discussion with the kid. I have another Henson sitting on my shelf waiting for me right now (the YA novel Dream of Night). After reading this, I kicked it way up the priority list; if it's as good, it'll land on my books-of-the-year list for 2011. *** 1/2
luann's review
5.0
What a great book! I loved it! The author's note says that this was "inspired by the true and courageous work of the Pack Horse Librarians, who were known as 'Book Women' in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky." Now I want to read more about the Book Women. Such inspiring women! I recommend this to everyone who loves to read, and everyone who doesn't. Cal says, "All at once I yearn to know what makes that Book Woman risk catching cold, or worse. . . . Just chicken scratch, I used to figure, but now I see what's truly there, and I read a little out. 'That's gift enough,' she says, and smiles so big it makes me smile right back." David Small's illustrations are perfect! I especially love the last one showing both sister and brother sitting on the porch each reading a book.
bibliogirl's review
5.0
Fantastic picture book exemplifying excellent historical fiction for young people.
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