As I drove home tonight and looked at the sky, I immediately knew it was an “Ox-Cart Man” sky, the one in November where he finally arrived back home. Do you know “Ox-Cart Man” by Donald Hall?
It is one of the first really good books I discovered when I started teaching. It tells the story of a New England farmer and his family, over the course of a year. Children learn about the work on a farm in each season, from spring to the following spring. They pick apples and geese feathers, boil the sap from maple trees to make maple syrup, knit mittens from the wool of sheep, make shingles and candles, and more. There is much that happens in order for the ox-cart man to make his journey to Portsmouth.
He begins in October
It takes him ten days to walk. Ten days! He is in Portsmouth Market to sell what he grew, made, and raised over the year, including selling his ox and the cart. Kissing his ox goodbye is a favorite for children.
He returns in November
This is my favorite part of the book, as children see the vast difference between October and November. I flip back and forth between the illustrations. We spend time to talk about the journey and what he sold. We reflect on what he made and grew. It was hard work.
And what did he get in return? A broom for his wife, a knife for his son, and a needle for his daughter. Oh, peppermint candy, too.
The illustrations are simple and perfect. The text flows, holding the reader to the story – the entire year on the farm. I did not know that “Ox-Cart Man” is actually a poem. I learned that when I read “The Poet’s Dog” by Patricia MacLachlan.
I read this story every year to children, in November. It is one book that never looses its appeal, never gets forgotten regardless of the many new books that have since been published. Yes, it is a classic. I will be reading the book tomorrow at school.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
oh, i haven’t thought of this book in years, i’m going to find it again –
I love it when I remember a great book I haven’t read in a while. Thanks, Beth. 🙂
Many children live in the city or on an acreage which isn´t a working farm so it is good for them to know the life of a farmer. An excellent book to read to the children just before your Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Darlene. Yes, it gives so many opportunities to learn about farm life.
That sounds great, but why did he sell the ox? I wanted him to keep the ox. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
That was my thought, too. If he sold the ox and cart, how did he get his crops to Portsmouth to sell the following year?
And he must have loved that ox, to kiss it goodbye. 🙂
Yes, he did! 🙂
Yes, he must have.
🙂
More oxen back on the farm. 🙂
I never thought of that!
I think these farmers were masters at planning ahead.
That would make sense.
When we get to that part of the story, the children feel the same way. He kisses the ox goodbye on the nose. Why does he sell the ox? He has more back on the farm, and he can get a good price for the animal. Also, I’m not sure the animal could make the ten-day walk back home.
I didn’t know he had other oxen. Still sad though. 🙂
I know! Pete, I will read the book aloud and post it this weekend.
I wish I could be there to hear you read the story.
Maybe Jennie could read it online as she has done for a few other books. Hint, hint!
😍❤️🥰
Hint, hint!
I brought the book home from school. Of course I will read it aloud. 🙂 Tomorrow or Sunday.
Hurray!
🙂
I took the hint and will read it aloud. 🥰
I do too! 🙂
🙂
Donald Hall is a wonderful poet/writer.
Yes, he is!
I remember the book, or a similar one. Is it possible it got translated in other languages, in the past? The way of teaching is as classic as this book itself.I hope you have had stocked up peppermint candies in real.Lol Thank you for introducing, Jennie! Have a beautiful weeend! Michael
Hi Michael! Since it is a classic, it may have been translated into other languages. Yes, it is a great teaching book as well as a terrific story. That peppermint candy had to last them for the entire year! Have a wonderful wonderful weekend!
I’m not familiar with that one Jennie.
You would love it, Opher.
This is such a classic Jennie! I used to read it my library story times every fall.
Yes! And I bet you talked with children throughout the book about all he did, and the trip to the market. Children love it today as much as they did thirty-some years ago. 🙂
Of course!😉
😀
I did not know of this book until now! Great lessons.
You would love it, Pam. Thank you!
Classic books are so important to share with children. Reading those books that share the life and experiences of the past as well as the classic style of writing. Children need exposure to so much variety and be allowed to appreciate the changes in styles and life.
Hear, hear!
Wonderful! ❤ xo
Thank you, Bette! ❤️
This sounds like a wonderful book, Jennie!
Thank you, Ritu. It is!
Somehow this book reminded me of another one that I also loved. If I could only remember the title – about a man whose mother was a pirate. Oh, that’s the title: The Man Whose Mother was a Pirate by Margaret Mahy. I guess it was the traveling and sequencing of events that reminded me. Children love this kind of book. (So do their teachers.)
I’m glad you remembered the book! Yes, stories with sequencing of events are some of the best, and children love them. Teachers, too. 🙂
I had not heard of this book. I LOVE the artwork! It’s americana- my favorite! I will have to add this to an ever-growing book list!
Oh, Deborah! I’m so glad I posted this. It’s one of the best books, from the storyline to the words and the artwork. It won the Caldecott, which tells you how good the illustrations are. Barbara Cooney, the illustrator, lived in the next town over when we first moved here. Do you know “Miss Rumphius”? That’s one of her books. I can’t express enough how wonderful her book “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” is. Americana, and better than “The Polar Express.” Yes!! You will cry.
I’m going to have look for those books! #1 Grandson is coming for a few days…I wonder if we can sneak in a trip to the library?!! We both love the library ever so much!
Thank you so much, Jennie!
That sounds wonderful, Deborah!
I missed this one, Jennie. Sounds terrific.
It’s never too late, John. You have a beautiful library in your town. When it reopens, heed the words of C.S. Lewis: “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” Oh, he was a wise one. 🙂
I think you are right, Jennie.
🙂
95% of the books you share, I’ve read to students or at least am familiar with, but you stumped me with this one, Jennie. I’ve never seen it before. It looks like it’s got the Caldecott award seal on it.
I’m glad I posted this, Pete. There I was, driving along, looking at the evening sky and immediately knowing it was from Ox Cart Man. I assumed most people knew this classic (never assume) yet many bloggers have said what you said. So, I apologize for that.
Yes, it was a Caldecott winner. Barbara Cooney’s illustrations are wonderful. Do you know “Miss Rumphius”? One of her best books, which is my favorite Christmas book, is “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree.” I think it is better than “The Polar Express.”
“Ox Cart Man” could have won the Newbery as well. The text flows across the seasons and the life of this farmer. I really, REALLY hope you read this book when your library opens.
I do know Miss Rumphius. I promise that I will give Ox Cart Man a close look. Hopefully, you remember the old EF Hutton commercials when I say this and you’ll understand the reference, When Jennie talks, people listen.” Have a great weekend, teacher Jennie!
I do remember that commercial, and I dearly appreciate the reference. Thank you, Pete. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
What a wonderful story. I’d love to read it one day if our library ever opens again.
You will love it…whenever your library opens. Sigh!
My students loved that book!
Yes!!
I have loved OxCart Man forever, and so have my students. I read it every year, and no matter whether I was teaching kindergarten, third grade or fifth grade it supported ‘the curriculum’ and the students loved it. I saw one comment mention that you might read it aloud – how would I access that?
I’m so glad to hear your students loved the book, too. Besides being a great story, it really does support the curriculum. I just posted reading the book aloud this morning. 🙂
Jennie, thank you so much for the reminder of this book!
You are welcome, Charles!
I don’t know the book, Jennie. It sounds perfect for discussing the seasons, as you describe. The seasons are very different for children here.
I wonder if there is a similar book in Australia that takes a farmer through a whole year. It doesn’t sound like a Mem Fox book.
There is one. It is called A Year on our Farm and it’s written by Alison Lester. 🙂
Thank you!!
It would be good if the children in our countries could read them both and compare them, wouldn’t it?
That’s a great idea!
This sounds great, Jennie. It reminds me of Little House in the Big Woods with the various seasons and Pa’s and Ma’s preparations for winter and spring cleaning.
It is much the same, except for some things that are local to New England, like maple syrup.