Book Review: Over the River and Through the Wood: A Holiday Adventure by Linda Ashman and Kim Smith

Over the River and Through the Wood: A Holiday Adventure
by Linda Ashman (writer) and Kim Smith (illustrator) (jp Ashman)

 A contemporary retelling of the beloved classic. The front double-page shows the family photos of the siblings, then their families receiving their note card from the grandparents inviting them for the holidays. There’s the white couple w/children; a biracial couple with a child; a biracial, gay couple w/adopted children; and an older couple w/adopted, foreign-born twins.

 

Cute, short rhyming paragraphs tell the story of each family as they travel to the grandparents’ home. The family in the van runs out of gas but are rescued by a fellow driving a large, horse-drawn sleigh. Another family arrives by train, however, all the rental cars are gone – but look! The guy with the sleigh is going by. Each family meets with trouble while completing the journey and in the end every family is in the sleigh riding together to the grandparents’ house who welcome everyone with open arms.

 

There’s room for everyone at the table.

 

Bright, two-page illustrations with lots of details add to the story.

[ official Over the River and Through the Wood page on the official Linda Ashman web site ] [ official Kim Smith web site ]

 

Recommended by Charlotte M.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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