"Through sleet.
Through wind.
Through darkest night.
The old sleigh gave warmth.
The old sleigh gave light."
In this good-natured and very gentle book by the Pumphrey brothers, readers are fully engaged in a tale of character, community, and kindness. Whenever snow falls, and every year for a long time, a boy and his father go about the business of using their horse and sleigh to deliver firewood to their neighbors. At the onset, the village is small, the sleigh is old but worthy and gives all that it can to the job. No matter the weather or time of day, the two are out and about making sure that their neighbors are warm and have firelight through the darkest nights. It benefits everyone.
The town gets bigger, their work continues ... until one day. The loads have become heavier, and the sleigh breaks down. Something must be done. In a series of wordless pages, readers are aware of the work being done by both father and son to assure future deliveries. A new sled, pulled by the boy, takes the place of the old to deliver its precious packages to those who need and appreciate it. It also provides entertainment for the boy and his friends.
When the old sleigh is refashioned to give its all again, the boy is old enough to do the driving to the houses in the now small city, for community members old and new. The sleigh keeps to its hard work as both characters and community grow and change, yet also remain the same.
Few words are needed, and the artwork is a signature of this very talented pair of artists. Repetition in text is brilliant and happens in just the right places. Perfect for sharing at bedtime on still long winter nights, its cozy warmth will be much appreciated.
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