The Horseback Librarians

January 15, 2023
Literacy by any means possible! As soon as the sun rises, a young, White-presenting woman is off on horseback to fulfill her mission: getting books into the hands of readers in the Kentucky backwoods. The rider, Anna Mary ("rhymes with library"), travels long distances with her horse, Sand, sleeping under the stars on fair nights and (hopefully) in a barn or spare room on wet ones. For Adam, a light-skinned boy whose father is away at war, she brings books about brave men. For Alice, a light-skinned girl recovering from measles, Anna Mary brings Millions of Cats and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. And for a small, diverse school, a book for everyone, including the teacher. An author's note explains that although Anna Mary is fictional, her work was not. The Pack Horse Library Project began in 1935 as part of the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression and provided work for the unemployed. Yolen knows her way around a picture book, and here she has penned a story that's both approachable and inspiring, accompanied by Badiu's bright illustrations. Educators will love reading it aloud to groups, and young readers will be fascinated to learn more. If there are any quibbles to be had, it's the lack of citations for further explanation, but this is a small issue in an otherwise strong work. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An inviting peek into a fascinating chapter of U.S. history. (Picture book. 6-9)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 15, 2023
Grades 1-3 Riding her horse, Sand, librarian Anna Mary journeys day and night through rural Kentucky as those she regularly visits anticipate her arrival. At her first stop, Anna Mary ("rhymes with library") spends time with young Adam, whose father is serving in the war; she gives him books featuring brave men. Next is Alice, who receives Millions of Cats and Alice in Wonderland ("her namesake book"). Then, at a small schoolhouse, students--and teacher--get selections from Anna Mary's saddlebag. Lively, descriptive prose and vibrant illustrations, expressively portray Anna Mary's experiences of enjoying meals, conversation, and a place to rest with people she's come to know, and sharing her "love of books, of words, of stories, and of poems." Yolen's endnote explains Anna Mary's tale was inspired by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration's Pack Horse Library project and its participants and provides some background. The topic and approach will engage and likely pique interests on many fronts while highlighting the joys and meaningfulness of connecting books with readers and listeners of all ages, wherever they may be.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 5, 2023
Yolen presents a slice of American library history with this day-in-the-life tale of an Appalachian horseback librarian. Traveling with her book-carting steed, pale-skinned Anna Mary—“rhymes with library”—crisscrosses “the backwoods of Kentucky” delivering volumes including Alice in Wonderland and Millions of Cats. While making the rounds, she chats with adults, reads to children shown with varied skin tones, and accepts hospitality from all—receiving hard-boiled eggs from one family and spending the night in another’s barn. Yolen’s detailed narration paints a picture of Anna Mary’s travels: one morning, she “eats a quick meal of cornbread and has a cup of tea she has heated on a small fire.” Badiu’s static renderings mix depictions of paper-doll-like figures going about their days and relishing reading. An author’s note discusses the WPA’s Pack Horse Library Project. Ages 4–8.