This is a story of families that lived on canal boats on at the turn of the century. Two young girls, Harriet and Alice have a close friendship and converse as their families' boats pass on the canal. A third child, a passenger on the boat, strikes a bargain with Harriet and she trades her new, fancy bonnet for one of a litter of kittens on the boat.

This is a charming little story that vividly gives life to by-gone days and to the little known canal boat life. It is certainly dated, and I don't believe it would capture the imagination of many children today. It's full of dialogue and has very little action. I think most of today's kids would find it boring.

I don't think I would choose this book for the classroom. The boys would be bored silly because it is definitely a "girl's" story. The girls would find the dialogue stilted. I don't see kids, especially in this area, relating to this tale.