Thus begins a lyrical journey through the days and weeks, the months, and the changing seasons in the life of one New Englander and his family.
The oxcart man packs his goods – the wool from his sheep, the shawl his wife made, the mittens his daughter knitted, and the linen they wove. He packs the birch brooms his son carved, and even a bag of goose feathers from the barnyard geese.
He travels over hills, through valleys, by streams, past farms, and villages. At Portsmouth Market, he sells his goods, one by one – even his beloved ox. Then, with his pockets full of coins, he wanders through the market, buying provisions for his family, and returns to his home. And the cycle begins again.
Rebecca Harding –
This is such a lovely book that goes through the life of a family on a homestead in rural America. We love the family work ethic and the beautiful illustrations by Barbara Cooney. And not only do I love it, but my kids love it too – a win, win.