Tommy's New Block Skates — Garth Vaughan

It is the late 1800s, and young Tommy is dreaming of a new pair of block skates. In winter, he watches while his friends and siblings play and skate on the frozen pond. This being the age of bartering, Tommy's father strikes a deal with the blacksmith: new fence posts in exchange for a pair of block skates. With attention to historical accuracy and detail, David Preston Smith's beautiful illustrations take readers step-by-step through the process of how these old-fashioned skates are made.