Recently, the first grade class where I work as a teaching assistant read a book called That Book Woman by Heather Henson. It is based upon true events from the 1930s when a government program was established to provide families living in rural areas of Appalachia access to books. Librarians, mostly women, were hired to travel to people’s homes to deliver the books, which they accomplished primarily by riding on horseback.

That Book Woman

That Book Woman is a wonderful story, beautifully illustrated, about a boy named Cal who lives with his family on a remote mountain in Appalachia. One day, they are visited by a strange woman riding on a horse, carrying several large satchels. Cal was initially intrigued to see what could be inside them, but his curiosity quickly turned to disappointment when all she took out were books.

Cal had never learned to read and saw no need to, since he spent most of his waking hours helping his father with farming chores. His younger sister, however, loved to read, and she welcomed That Book Woman as if she were Santa Claus. Cal’s apathy towards the woman turned to chagrin when his “Pa” attempted to pay for the books with fresh strawberries that Cal had picked just that morning, and was both surprised and relieved when she shook her head, stating that no reimbursement was necessary.

The book exchange continued for several months, and Cal’s respect for That Book Woman grew as she would bravely endure all types of weather. Eventually, he asks his sister to teach him to read. Upon her final visit, Cal’s mother gives That Book Woman the recipe for making her favorite pie. Cal also gives her the only gift he knows she will accept…he reads a passage from one of the books that she had just brought them. On the last page, as That Book Woman is trudging away on her horse, we see Cal on the front porch of his house, sitting next to sister, and both contently reading their priceless new gifts.

So, now you may be saying to yourself, “Okay, that is a nice story, but what the heck does it have to do with Guatemala Service Projects?”

And Me 

Ever since my last visit to Guatemala with the nonprofit, I have been trying to find a way to describe how profoundly I have been affected by my experiences in a manner that would relate to anyone reading my blog.  The “bulb lit up” moment occurred when I found myself choking back tears while reading That Book Woman out loud to one of my first graders.  The book demonstrates how an act as simple as bringing someone a book can literally change their life.  It is also about kindness and selflessness, sharing gratitude, and being proud of one’s accomplishments.  I saw that same gratitude in so many faces as I handed them a balloon animal.  I felt their pride when they would dance, sing, and play their instruments for our delight, and I benefited from their kindness with the meals and gifts they presented to us.

It would be ludicrous to try to compare the difficulties I encountered in traveling to Guatemala with the hardships the Book Women had to endure. But, I think I do understand why they did it. My visits to Guatemala made me feel like a Book Woman, and I can’t think of anything that has ever made me feel better.