That Book Woman
by Heather Henson

Cal is proud that he is the oldest boy in his family. He loves to help his Pap plow the fields and round up the sheep when they wander off. He doesn't have time to spend with his "nose in a book" like his sister, and he surely does not understand why a person would waste so much time that way. He doesn't have much use for "chicken scratch." Much to his surprise, a Book Woman comes to their house every two weeks, rain or shine, carrying a satchel full of books (treasure in his sister's eyes!) Cal is determined to figure out what motivates the Book Woman to bring books to his family through all types of weather, including bitter cold and snow.

Truly a book to be cherished by book lovers, this is the story of the Pack Horse Librarians, or Book Women, who traveled the Appalachian mountains delivering books in Kentucky during the 1930s. Written in dialect, the text draws the reader into the story. Small's illustrations are the perfect medium to capture the era. This book portrays the very reason why librarians love their jobs and would do anything to help turn book skeptics into readers!

2010-2011 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee