Author: Kim Michele Richardson
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa
If you’re an avid historical fiction reader, chances are you’ve come across The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek or its follow-up, The Book Woman’s Daughter. Now, author Kim Michele Richardson has teamed up with illustrator David C. Gardner to create a children’s picture book, Junia, based on the endearing mule from those adult books. Told from the perspective of Junia, the book teaches young ones about the Kentucky Pack Horse Librarians and what a day was like for them back in the 1930s.
The story begins with Book Woman and Junia departing before sunrise to begin their book route over the rugged, treacherous hills. Their mission is to deliver books and magazines so that children and their families can learn and improve their reading. The route on this specific day includes a schoolhouse, a fire lookout tower, a houseboat, and many more. Junia loves seeing everyone and what they’re reading, but she must also always be on alert during the route – for animals like snakes and skunks, or challenging weather, like snowstorms and thunderstorms. At the end of the day though, with a belly full of sweet treats, Junia can rest easy knowing that she and Book Woman have helped the families on their route.
Junia is rated for ages 5-8, and it is rather more of a story book. Whereas other young books might have just a few words or a snappy rhyming sequence, Junia has at least a few sentences per page and tells a complete story from start to finish. It’s intended to entertain kiddos, yes, but also teach them a really interesting part of Kentucky history. Plus, there is a short author’s note at the end of the book with more information and real-life photos. Junia certainly has a cute, quirky personality, and readers are sure to get a kick out of her!
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Junia today!
