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2 Picture Books by Shannon Hitchcock, 1 Giveaway

carolbaldwin

 If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you may remember my post on Shannon Hitchcock‘s book, Saving Grandaddy’s Stories. I’m happy to share two more books that Shannon has written about unsung Appalachian artists. I love these books so much that I’m saving one for my granddaughter who I’m teaching to sew. 

The illustrator is mixed-media artist Sophie Page. Sophie used clay, fabric, paper, and wire to bring these stories to life. Both books are published by Reycraft Books.

As you read my reviews, notice Shannon’s poetic text that emphasizes the importance of each word and Sophie’s illustrations that show depth, color, and texture. Her images are like mini-stories.

REVIEWS


SHE SANG FOR THE MOUNTAINS: The Story of Singer, Songwriter, Activist Jean Ritchie.



The book opens with a simple line that says so much about Jean Ritchie.



Jean came from a large family who loved to sing while they worked. In the evenings, they rested on the porch swing and sang accompanied by their father’s dulcimer.



Jean wished she could turn back time.

Her brothers and sisters left home one by one.
Finally, it was Jean’s turn to go.

 


Jean taught the songs of the hills

to the children of the city–
songs that had echoed 
through the mountains for generations.
In the process, Jean was noticed by a song collector. 

Jean was far from the home she loved in Kentucky, but when she heard about companies that mined coal and then moved on–leaving men sick or unemployed–she realized that she wanted to protest too.


She sang about the unemployed coal miners and the strip mining that poisoned the water. 


Jean never stopped singing important songs which inspired others. Even when she was old and moved back to Kentucky, she kept 


singing for the mountains
and heard music everywhere.
                    ……

To this day, Jean’s music lives on,
in the hearts of folksingers,
dulcimer players
and activists
who raise their voices and sing for the mountains.
The author’s note includes more information about Jean. To hear her sing and play, click on this youtube video.



STORY QUILTS: Appalachian Women Speak

Here’s the opening page that says so much:

The women had large families and worked hard. Their days were filled with cooking, cleaning, gardening, and canning.


Then, at day’s end, they threaded their needles,
reached for their rag bags,
pieced colorful squares
and turned scraps into quilts that told stories.
Daughters watched their mothers until they were old enough to create a quilt of their own.

Sometimes, the daughter watched her mother pull out scraps from an apron that once looked like this:


Blue was special because,

Scraps of pillowcases became clouds or snow; other scraps became wildflowers.



She would move her quilt squares like puzzle pieces,
until they told a story.

 


The author’s note includes Shannon’s inspiration for this beautiful story of forgotten women. Sophie lists some of the quilters who inspired her illustrations.
Shannon is giving an extensive interview–plus information on her next book in this series–on the Talking Story Facebook page on Monday. (Not a member? Click on the link and ask to be admitted and you’ll be in!). But she told me that she is drawn to writing about the past because she grew up on a farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “We lived primitively compared to lots of families. My grandparents were farmers. They raised cows, pigs, and chickens. My grandma churned butter, had a large vegetable garden, canned, and quilted. Writing these books reminds me of home and a way of life that I want to preserve in my stories.”

GIVEAWAY

If you have never won a book from my blog or are a new subscriber, I’ll put your name in twice for SHE SANG FOR THE MOUNTAINS. Make sure you leave me a comment by December 7 with your name and email address if you are new to my blog.

Eileen Heyes entered last week’s giveaway and told me that since she didn’t have any “littles” in her life to give it to a library. Per her request, I gave Christmas with Auntie to Matthews Elementary School. Congratulations to Barbara Younger who won Miss Mary’s Mittens. 

Published by carolbaldwin

Carol enjoys teaching writing and has presented at many educators' and writing conferences. She has published widely in newspapers and magazines and along with Rebecca Wheeler, co-publishes Talking Story, a newsletter for educators and media specialists. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you’ll find her walking with friends, golfing, or gardening.

32 thoughts on “2 Picture Books by Shannon Hitchcock, 1 Giveaway”

  5. I love to share books about Appalachia. I want the children to know about their heritage. I esp like the video you included of her playing and singing with the dulcimer. Most children have never heard of the instrument that was once popular in the mountains.

    Reply

  7. We are all living in busy days coming up before the holidays. I notice this post in my email but bypassed it over the weekend and moved on. BUT this Monday morning I decided to stop and take a moment to read it over. I am glad I did what a lovey story and I was surprised at how the illustrations did look like the real person. The colors all come alive and jump or maybe sing off the page! The link to listen was a great addition. Thank you for all the work that went into this blog and book!

    Reply

  21. I love to share books about Appalachia. I want the children to know about their heritage. I esp like the video you included of her playing and singing with the dulcimer. Most children have never heard of the instrument that was once popular in the mountains.

    Reply

  23. We are all living in busy days coming up before the holidays. I notice this post in my email but bypassed it over the weekend and moved on. BUT this Monday morning I decided to stop and take a moment to read it over. I am glad I did what a lovey story and I was surprised at how the illustrations did look like the real person. The colors all come alive and jump or maybe sing off the page! The link to listen was a great addition. Thank you for all the work that went into this blog and book!

    Reply

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