bookmarked_north734's review against another edition
4.0
Great informational book. Being a children's book, I was able to read it in one sitting, but I was still happy with the amount of information that was given.
alissabar's review against another edition
4.0
After recently reading [b:The Giver of Stars|43925876|The Giver of Stars|Jojo Moyes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572879113l/43925876._SX50_.jpg|68351635] which is a novel dealing with the pack horse librarians in Kentucky, I wanted to read some non-ficiton about them. I was unable to find a lot out there accessible to me, but came across this children's non-fiction by Ms. Appelt. One of the great things about this book is the pictures. They capture the difficult times in the mountains of Kentucky. This book gives a great brief history of the pack horse librarians and their challenges. I love that they were making a difference in people's lives.
abigailbat's review
5.0
This photo-filled book will appeal to any lover of books. The pack horse librarians are truly inspiring with their dedication to improving the lives of people in their community. I certainly take my wonderful library for granted. When I do an outreach program, it entails getting into my car, driving to a school or preschool and bringing a bag of books from our abundant collection. These librarians who rode and walked 20 miles to bring a meager selection of tattered books to a one-room schoolhouse... well, they're an inspiration.
This should be required reading for all librarians and anyone who loves their library.
Read more on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/11/book-review-down-cut-shin-creek.html
This should be required reading for all librarians and anyone who loves their library.
Read more on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/11/book-review-down-cut-shin-creek.html
nadoislandgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Short and sweet story of the packhorse librarians. Some nice photographs.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
Photos and history of the WPA project that employed women and brought books to thousands in eastern Kentucky.
It's amazing what is accomplished when resourceful people are allowed to solve problems in their community.
It's amazing what is accomplished when resourceful people are allowed to solve problems in their community.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
5.0
I finally found a copy of this book to read, I've been meaning to for years! The Pack Horse Librarians is a fascinating topic that I find really cool. During the Great Depression, these librarians rode horses and mules to deliver books, newspapers and magazines--as well as handmade scrapbooks containing recipes and home remedies and articles of interest to hardy mountain folk--to their Appalachian neighbors in hard-to-reach hollers and on mountainsides in Kentucky. I was surprised to learn that they didn't have very many books to share, so that was why they took to making their own, as well as soliciting donations of used books from everyone they could find, the PTA and church groups, etc. This children's nonfiction book has lots of nice big black and white photographs of the women at work, fording creeks, even using rowboats at some points, reading to their patrons who were unable to read themselves, and sorting books in the library waystations. One chapter is written as a story of the typical day in the life of a Book Woman. The program was a big success in spreading literacy and companionship, so much so that some parents complained to librarians that their kids wouldn't do their chores any more because all they wanted to do was sit and read! (I always love to hear things like that!) The book ends with a chapter on Kentucky Congressman Carl D. Perkins, who sponsored the Library Services Act in 1956 to provide the first federal funding for library services. It paid for building new libraries, creating bookmobiles, hiring new staff, and so forth. He had taught in a Kentucky school serviced by a pack horse librarian, so that may have influenced him early on to appreciate the value of library services to those who need them most. Nice little reference book on a cool topic.
bookhound36's review
3.0
Fascinating. I loved the whole idea...what an ontaking of the women of those days! Not to mention a major dedication and love for books.
zelma's review
4.0
This is a juvenile books I read in about a half hour. A librarian recommended it to me and I'm thrilled he did. I've been trying to learn more about recent American history and this was a fascinating snapshot of a little-known New Deal program. I loved the idea of dedicated librarians delivering books via horseback and pack mule to their rural neighbors. The photobacks are fantastic as well.