CLIP Review: That Book Woman

Author:  Heather Henson
Illustrations:  David Small
Ages 4-8

With books so readily available at any store our children enter, they may be fascinated by this look back into American history, when books were delivered to country folk on horseback! No matter the weather: that Book Woman came in rain, in fog, why, "sakes alive - here she be, wrapped head to toe", making a tap, tap, tap on the window to deliver books in the snow! This was the era of the Pack Horse Librarians, who helped untold numbers of families in the Appalachian Mountains receive books.  Cal, however, does not want to sit still reading what he calls "chicken scratch." It's fine if his sister is the readin' type, but he'd rather be working with his Pap out with the sheep in the mountains. He thinks that Book Woman is just plain foolish to keep bringing books all the way out there - or is she? After several months he begins to think that it isn't foolish at all, but brave to do what she does, especially in all kinds of weather. He begins to yearn to know what all that "chicken scratch" might mean.  The gift Cal gives to the Book Woman at the end of the story may surprise you...it truly is a gift from the heart.  

Hear That Book Woman read aloud.  Click HERE.