Blurb: "Every year as long as she can remember, old Cora has helped to haul in the Christmas tree. This year, Mom says Cora is too creaky to pull the heavy load. The old dog heads to the woods with the family, but soon realizes that the other dogs are starting the job without her! Consie Powell's woodcuts illustrate her memorable Christmas story abourt work, love, and a dog with a heart."
Publisher's blurb: "Once a sled dog, always a sled dog, for although a Newfoundland named Cora is getting too old to pull, her owners can't get the hearty dog to quit. Every Christmas the dogs help bring home a Christmas tree from the woods. This year, the family considers Cora too old to be hitched up with the younger dogs. But she refuses to stay home and follows the family into the forest. At first Cora gets underfoot and the family doesn't understand what she is trying to do. But when the tree is selected, chopped down, and tied to the sled, Cora leads the other dogs to the right trail, finding her own way to help.
Powell's colorful woodcuts portray a crisp snow-filled north woods with deep blue shadows and green pines. The Yuletide setting is background dressing; the interactions of dogs and family predominate. An affectionate, unusual story.
ALL AGES Old Dog Cora is enjoyed by readers of all ages, and families enjoy reading this book together. While written at a third to fourth grade reading level, the story is appealing to older children and adults as well. Anyone familiar with working dogs, especially sled dogs, will warm to this story."
For ages 7 - 115.
One of my personal favorites — a touching, charming story (and one that just might bring a tear to your eye).
