By Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey
Published by Norton Young Readers
Mom's Review
I kind of want to cry after reading The Old Sleigh. It is an ode to constancy in the face of change. Before a village expands to a city, a family's firewood supply business depends on their sleigh. Over generations, the sleigh shows signs of wear until parts of it are repurposed for a sled and the main body is repaired to bring firewood to the city center's winter celebration.
There are objects that over time become constants in our lives, even as we ourselves change. For many children, a favorite blanket or stuffed animal may be a constant. For the family in the book, the titular sleigh takes on that role and is intertwined with the family's identity; the providers of warmth and community connection would not be able to fulfill their mission without the old sleigh. I read The Old Sleigh as an allegory for our relationships we have with supportive people who stand by us regardless of the circumstances. As the family values and reveres the sleigh, so too should we cherish those people always support us when we need them. A close confidant or a special family member may guide us through difficult times and offer support when one feels like the world is unrecognizable - as the sleigh did as the village evolved to a city. The Old Sleigh offers a beautiful wintery story of dependability.
Comments
Post a Comment