A new preacher named Brother Harper is coming to the town of Dogwood, and the townspeople will follow custom by bringing a pound of something as a gift. Little Jory can't think of a thing to bring, but soon he stumbles upon the perfect gift for the preacher. Full color. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

K-Gr 2-A new parson has come to the Dogwood All-Faiths Tabernacle, and the congregation is so pleased that they decide to have a "pounding"-"-everyone takes a pound o' this and a pound o' that to help make Brother Harper feel at home." Jory Timmons wants to bring a present, but he's too little to make a pie, milk a cow, gather eggs, or contribute any of the gifts others are bringing. Like Cynthia Rylant's When I Was Young in the Mountains (Dutton, 1982) and Libba Moore Gray's My Mama Had a Dancing Heart (Orchard, 1996), this title captures the warmth of an Appalachian community, and Johnson's convivial paintings make both the setting and the characters shine. What could have been an often-told story of the search for the perfect present is instead a welcome slice of life.-Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.