The artistic style of The Old Sleigh is beautifully and charmingly simple. If it weren’t sacrilegious, I would happily rip these pages from the book and frame them.

The story is delightfully straightforward, perfect for reading by and to little ones over and over again. A father and son use what resources they have to bring warmth and light to their growing town. As the town expands, so do its needs, and the story’s message of community, compassion, and generosity shines through. The imagery and sentiment will linger with readers long after the final page is turned.

Thank you to NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company | Norton Young Readers, Jarrett Pumphrey, and Jerome Pumphrey for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

In some respects, I am a very simple bibliophile. I see a book by the Pumphrey Brothers; I must read it. The vehicle of choice in this entry in their "The Old..." series is a well-built sleigh, one that delivers firewood (and good memories) to the people in a small town., courtesy of a young boy and his father. The little town grows into a bigger one, and so does the need for firewood, which causes the trusty sleigh to break down. Through some clever thinking, the boy and his father find a way to keep the tradition going and preserve the sleigh, and the sense of community, for the future.

This was a warmhearted read, one which ends in the same place as it began, albeit with a new perspective. Pumphreys excel at using sparse, yet evocative language to set the tone, letting the illustrations speak for themselves and help carry the story. The subtle details show the progression of things like the town’s growth and the sleigh’s wear and tear with the passage of time, which also includes generations of new customers. The color palette is simple with a lot of warm red touches, which serve as a nice contrast to the cold winter scenes. I love the way that the snow is shown here, and how the book characters move around in it.

I also loved the way that the authors laid out the solution to the central problem. The boy and his father not only meet the town’s growing needs by repurposing the sleigh (in a way that I won’t give away here, but it’s lovely); they don’t compromise their core methods of delivery and relationship with the environment. Life changes, as it will, and it’s possible to respond to those changes without giving up altogether what is important. This adds a very nuanced touch to the book, and it comes across well. As with the previous books in the series, readers see the young boy growing up and carrying on his father’s work with the sleigh, once that children will notice as he starts to make deliveries on his own.

The theme of respecting the environment, one that is common in the Pumphrey Brothers’ works, also plays an important role in the story, which parents and caregivers can talk about with their children. The phrase about how the sleigh “gave more than it took” is a powerful one that I loved, and which is detailed in the illustrations. The sleigh itself is fashioned from wood, which was taken from a tree, yet none of it has been wasted in that the sleigh is being used many times over. The same is true for the firewood and lumber that people receive. The wood is used to heat their homes, yet the book shows how the forests are not over-harvested as the boy and his father never take more than they need, with leaves plenty of trees available to grow.

Although this isn’t explicitly a holiday book, this would be a perfect read for the holiday and winter seasons, and a good addition to any library or classroom’s themed books on the subject. This is another book that I’d add to my own collection to revisit its warmth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Norton Young Readers (W.W. Norton & Company) for this DRC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I enjoyed this cozy, gentle story about a sleigh over time. The illustrations are incredible. I appreciate how the book is written because it is simple enough for adults to read to young children as well as an introductory challenge for children learning to read. I look forward to reading more by these authors.

Thank you Norton Young Readers and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Another beautiful book by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey about the life of a sleigh delivering wood to a small town and how the growth of town changes what the sleigh can do for it. The art inspires many questions and will make great way to engage with the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for this DRC.
#TheOldSleigh #NetGalley

BOOK REVIEW: “The Old Sleigh” by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey

The Old Sleigh is a beautifully illustrated, nostalgic book that will bring you back to simpler times.

On cold winter nights, the old sleigh delivers firewood to the homes in the small town. As the town grows, so does the need for firewood, and the old sleigh becomes overwhelmed. It’s time for a new generation to take over and carry on the tradition.

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book that is perfect to snuggle up with on a cold winter night! It’s aimed at younger children, and features colorful illustrations and short sentences. I can picture this becoming a favorite around the holidays. 🌲

I rate this book as 5 stars. I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Pumphrey brothers' reputation precedes them. I have heard so much about them, but didn't realize there was an Old Truck series that The Old Sleigh is part of. I loved this gentle story about the benefit and joy a sleigh or sled can bring, the importance of community and keeping brightness and warmth present when it's cold and dark outside.

I love how this book celebrates Black joy, including a community that celebrates simple traditions and neighbors, in a rural town, with folks who happen to be Black. A beautiful illustration of everyday diversity.

I can't recommend this book enough for schools, libraries, and as a lovely holiday book to read in the winter, even though it isn't a holiday book. It inspires that same cozy warmth, and would be a great addition to books like The Snowy Day.