That Book Woman

I used this book for our Twice Upon a Time program at church where we buff up used books to give to non-profits who work in the area of literacy and put books in the hands of children who might not otherwise have a home library. We have donated over 20,000 books so far.Now I need to find out how to get rid of the soft-cover anatomy/phisiology book that was sent to me although I did not order it.

This a book that tugs at my heartstrings for many reasons, and has brought me close to tears when I've read it to my second grade class. The writing is so powerful, and the dialect used is apt (I disagree that it is too difficult to understand). After I modeled how to infer meaning with a few of the phrases, and explained to my kids that they would need to do this throughout the book, they were fine. Often I would stop and ask for a volunteer to think aloud about what was just said. They got the meaning loud and clear.I also disagree with one reviewer who claimed that Cal's point of view is not the right one to use for the storyline. What a magical transformation to witness: a "tough as snuff" boy who thinks reading is ridiculous, to a boy who falls in love with the power of reading. Moreover, it's very clear that he decides to read solely because "that book woman" must have a reason for trekking up the mountain come rain, wind, or snow. He realizes it MUST be important.I think the most beautiful thing about this book is how it cuts right into the human emotion that takes place in the story. The book woman is intentionally left as a vague character with no face; Small was using her voyage, not her face, to pay homage to the many "pack librarians" that made this ongoing sacrifice. Even though she is rarely a central part of the illustrations, the children noticed her on EVERY page. It was also clear they felt her dedication and passion, not through thoughts revealed, but through her dogged determination.The family's deep gratitude was also beautifully shared. Pap clears his throat and in an instant the reader connects with him: especially as adults, we have experienced a time like this when we feel indebted and grateful, and cannot possibly repay the kindness shown us.This book is beautifully written and illustrated, and is a perfect expression of how marvelous, how worthy, how powerful reading truly is.

Cal is not a kid that likes to read. In fact, he's a kid who lives in the remote Appalachian Mountains where there are no libraries. The only books he and his sister have available to them are the ones brought by horseback every few weeks by the Book Woman.Cal's sister, Lark, is a bookworm who loves reading more than anything. She could sit all day with a book. Cal just doesn't understand why she likes to read so much, until one day he begins to wonder what makes the Book Woman ride through rain, wind, and snow to deliver the books. When he finally understands her dedication, it changes Cal's life forever.Written as poetry, this book not only will inspire children to read, but it also gives a small glimpse into the courageous Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky. The Pack Horse Project was created in the 1930s by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in order to bring books to the young people of the Appalachian Mountains.I give it 5 stars for being unforgettable.

This is a wonderful picture book about That Book Woman who made sure books were delivered to isolated families in the Appalachia Mountains. I love the illustrations, but the story of how Cal transforms from "not the reading type" to a young man who asks his sister, "Teach me what is says" is heartwarming. You always know Cal will come around but the tale of how he yearns to know what makes the Book Woman risk life and limb just to deliver books is appealing and curious.

The book was awesome... theme, illustrations, everything! My 4th graders, and I enjoyed it!

That Book Woman, by Heather HensonI discovered this book during teacher professional development, and I love it! As a fifth grade teacher, I can see several times of the year that I will use it and integrate with my Reading and Social Studies curriculum. The picures depict the emotions of the characters and enhance the Appalachian dialect of the poetic text. Any librarian who reads this book is bound to love it because it features the pack-horse librarians of The New Deal during the Depression. As the story unfolds, the reader cannot help but find a new appreciation for books and reading!

An enjoyable book about the WPA horseback librarians from a child’s point of view. It introduces a part of history that has largely been forgotten but shouldn’t be.

Love this book!

As a committed father and feminist (the one follows the other when you're father to a little girl) who has gone out of his way to surround his daughter with books, especially books that feature strong independent girls and women - and who also happens to have a fascination with Appalachia - this ticks literally every box. The book is beautifully (and subtly) written and illustrated, the setting authentic and evocative, the story moving without being sentimental, and the whole a valuable primer on the remarkable story of the pack horse librarians. Yes, Cal's back-woods vernacular is characterful, but I had no trouble picking up the meaning, and I'm from Slough. I certainly didn't find it disruptive to the flow. I cannot speak highly enough of this book.

Very nice collaboration Heather Henson did with David Small. This picture book narrates about an unnamed Pack Horse Librarian and her biweekly visits in the Kentuckian mountains. How she brings literature, culture, and the outside world to a remote farm family. How a little boy's resentment for that woman and her "chicken scratch" evolves as she risks rough weather only to give them new books.But more than that, this book is a wonderful way for older generations to teach young people and those that didn't live in remote regions about the "Pack Horse Librarian" program, an initiative President Roosevelt did for those who lived in remote areas where schools and libraries were not easily accessible. And what's nice is that Heather Henson offers in her book other resources (websites, books) to know more on this topic, proving she did her researches and knows what she is talking about.As for David Small, his watercolours are pleasant to watch. Clear and well organised compositions, distinct character designs for each person, rich colours that display the region's weather and/or the focal point of an illustration (ex: pack of berries), each painting offers subtle details that describe those remote rural families' reality (ex: how the chicken roam around the house). Details that I appreciated a lot. Although I have to say that under the Kindle app, those artwork and Henson's text suffer as the application doesn't offer zooms like on Google Play as the letter fonts in this book are small. Especially in the author's Note as the letters appear on an Ipad and Android tablet as tiny fleas. Therefore, I suggest to those who'd want to buy an electronic version of the book to resort to Google Play's as its app offers zooms; the opportunity to look closer at artwork details and letters a Kindle app couldn't offer.In conclusion, this picture book is material for all ages and for all reading interests, whether they are historical, entertainment, or artistic.