In this tender, lyrical story set in the mountains of Kentucky, Brenda Gail is spending the summer with her great-grandparents. Gran Pap tells her that "everybody born in the mountains got a song inside 'em," made of memories. That means Brenda Gail has one, too, "just waitin' to come out." A squabble with her troublesome cousin Melvin, in which Big Ma's favorite hen is injured, and their reconciliation help Brenda Gail start to choose the moments that will be in her song.
Rich, poignant art from esteemed illustrator Ted Rand is paired with an atmospheric text written by a true storyteller. Kids everywhere will want to make up their own "mountain songs."
About the Author
Ted Rand
The late TED RAND was the esteemed illustrator of many picture books, including Eve Bunting's Secret Place and The Memory String.
Shutta Crum
Shutta Crum, formerly a librarian, currently writes full time. Among other picture books, she is the author Thunder-Boomer (Clarion), which received four starred reviews, was nominated for a Cybil Award, and was an SLJ Best Book, a Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book, and an ALA Notable Book. Shutta was born in Paintsville, Kentucky, and lives with her husband in Michigan. Her website is www.shutta.com.
Excerpts
Reviews
"Written in folksy language, the tender story is beautifully illustrated with soft watercolor paintings" BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA
"Crum hits some sweet notes while portraying believeable childhood emotions and warm intergenerational relationships." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Publishers Weekly
"A delight...that harmonizes the coziness of a close-knit family with the gentle ambiance of old-fashioned farm life." SLJ School Library Journal