CLARA AND THE BOOKWAGON

In Maryland in 1905, the country's first ""bookwagon"" carried library service to rural communities. Here fictional Clara is an early beneficiary: she loves listening to Bible stories in church and making up her own stories, but her parents are too busy to be patient with her ""dreaming"" or her curiosity; she doesn't even go to school, and Papa believes that books are only for rich people. But Miss Mary, who was head of the Hagerstown Public Library, not only convinces Papa that Clara should be allowed books but also teaches her to read. An interesting bit of library history, especially germane to current concern about literacy--Papa confesses that ""Mama and I. . .we can only read a little."" Attractive, stylized illustrations have a turn-of-the century flavor.