EARLY VILLAGE LIFE Bobbie Kalman. Toronto, Crab tree Publishing, c1981. 64pp, paperbound boards, $11.15 (paperbound boards), $7.95 (paper). ISBN 0-86505-009-0 (paperbound boards), 0-86505-010-4 (paper). Grades 4 and up. Reviewed by Janice Foster. Volume 10 Number 4. 1982 November. Part of the Early Settler Life series, Early Village Life traces the development of village life from isolated backwoods settlements to the emergence of towns and cities. This book focuses on the need for a village and the pooling of human resources to make life easier for the early pioneer. All major aspects of village organization are included along with descriptions of various crafts. The comprehensive coverage of frontier life in respect to the services offered through the establishment of a village provides the reader with a good overall picture of community life for the early settler. The author has treated the subject of frontier life with a North American flavour that allows for the study of early village life without the concern of a strictly Canadian or American content. Whereas certain aspects refer more to a specific region, such as the "sugaring-off" in eastern Canada, this focus does not interfere with the general treatment of the subject matter. The excellent layout of this book facilitates use by the young researcher. There is a table of contents, a glossary of terms, and an index. On each page, the text is divided into specific topics by bold-faced headings in red type. The book is filled with brown-and-white sketches and photographs. These illustrations with their detailed captions clarify and enhance the text. The overall format of this book together with its simplified vocabulary will entice even the reluctant reader to research the topic of early pioneer life. Early Village Life is a useful tool in developing research skills in the younger student as well as a source of enjoyable reading in the non-fiction area. Janice Foster, Winnipeg, MB.