That Book Woman - Heather Henson

Illustrator: David Small
For: Early school-age? (Dialect might be difficult)
Published: Oct, 2008
Rating: 3.5
Read: Today
Endpapers: Med. rust

Set high in Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains, Cal would rather than work with Pap than learn to read chicken scratch. Since school is a "jillion miles back down the creek" he's gotten no schoolin', and can't understand his sister Lark's love of reading. One day a "lady wearing britches" appears on a horse after a "hard day's ride"...with a "passel of books." And she wants nothing in trade. On top of that, she'll return in two days to swap the books! She comes through the rain and the cold and the fog, and eventually Cal decides to see what it is that Lark's so taken with - and she teaches him to read!

Based on the real PACK HORSE LIBRARY PROJECT that was part of FDR's WPA (Work Progress Administration) in the 1930's, this book gives homage to the brave and hardy woman who traveled throughout Kentucky's Appalachia to bring the gift of books and reading to the poor of Appalachia.

I loved the dialect, but I wonder if it might be hard for some kids to understand? It gives a great sense of place, and IS pretty cool....

Comes on a time
the world turns white
as Granpap's beard.
The wind it shrieks
like bobcats do
deep inside the dark of night.
So here we sit
tucked 'round the fire,
no thought to howdy-do's this day.
Why, even critters of the wild
will keep a-hid
come snow like this.

I usually like David Small's illustrations, but this won't be a favorite. I want more detail!