Book Review: Kentucky’s Packhorse Peggy: Delivering Stories One Trail at a Time

By Lisa Boeglin | Illustrated by Kristi Valiant

Kentucky’s Packhorse Peggy is a warm, inspiring picture book that shines a light on a real piece of American history—the WPA Pack Horse Library Project—through the steady, determined footsteps (and hoofbeats) of a book-loving heroine.

Set in 1935 in the Appalachian foothills, the story follows Peggy, a young woman who’s “like most hill folk, except for one thing”: she loves book learning. When the Pack Horse Library Project begins, Peggy eagerly signs up to deliver books to families tucked deep in the hollers. With her trusty horse Tucker, she rides through snow, rain, mud, and even a tense encounter with a mountain lion—because stories are worth the journey.

What makes this book especially memorable is how it captures the heart of literacy work: not just the act of delivering books, but the way books change people. Peggy’s visits are tender and human—reading aloud to children, offering magazines and picture books, and receiving small gifts of gratitude in return. The recurring “One, two, paste a few” refrain, as Peggy builds a scrapbook of recipes and patterns from the community, is a charming storytelling device that reinforces the theme of shared culture and connection. It also mirrors the historical detail that worn books were repurposed into scrapbooks—an Appalachian tradition of making something lasting from what you have.

Kristi Valiant’s illustrations (paired with the story’s cozy, determined tone) help the setting come alive: creaky porches, snowy trails, schoolhouse excitement, and the rugged beauty of the mountains. The visuals support the emotional arc beautifully—especially in the later pages when Peggy returns a finished scrapbook to Gracie, turning borrowed stories and shared recipes into a gift that feels like a community’s love bound together.

The back matter is a standout: kid-friendly, informative, and genuinely useful for classrooms. The “What was the WPA Pack Horse Library Project?” section gives clear historical context without feeling like homework, and the “Libraries Around the World” page expands the theme in a fun, curiosity-sparking way. The included recipes add an interactive element that invites families and teachers to extend the story beyond the final page.

Overall, Kentucky’s Packhorse Peggy is a heartfelt tribute to the “book women” who carried stories where roads couldn’t go. It’s a wonderful choice for readers who love history, brave everyday heroes, and books about the power of reading to build community—one trail at a time.

Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book this book is based on the true story of the Packhorse Librarians of the 1930's who traveled the trails and backroads of Appalachia to bring books to those who had limited opportunities to access them. Lisa Boeglin, former Indiana teacher of the year and Kristi Valiant, award-winning illustrator for authors such as Danielle Steele combine their talents to bring Peggy to life and to focus on a time and a place where hunger and poverty were a way of life. Featured on Solanderpress.com the book also includes a downloadable free resource guide for teachers and librarians.

According to one reviewer: The back matter is a standout: kid-friendly, informative, and genuinely useful for classrooms. The “What was the WPA Pack Horse Library Project?” section gives clear historical context without feeling like homework, and the “Libraries Around the World” page expands the theme in a fun, curiosity-sparking way. The included recipes add an interactive element that invites families and teachers to extend the story beyond the final page.