Appalachia Archives - Growing Minds

On the Farm ABCs

A is for asparagus, ants, and apples that grow on trees. B is for berries, beets, and the buzzing of bees… With rhyming text and colorful pictures, young readers will enjoy learning about farm life through this alphabet book, with words and photos by WNC farmer and photographer Sarah Jones Decker. You can also purchase your own

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Growing Minds Day by Day: First Week of March

This week’s theme is Appalachian Traditions. Our “Growing Minds Day by Day” educational resource lists are designed for families and educators.

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Coat of Many Colors

By Parton, Dolly

A heartwarming story based on the bestselling country song by Dolly Parton. Winter is coming to Tennessee and there’s no money to buy a new coat, so a little girl’s mama sews one for her out of colorful rags. The little girl wears it to school proudly, and when the other children laugh, she gives

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Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile

By Houston, Gloria

When Dorothy was a young girl, she loved books, and she loved people, so she decided that she would become a librarian. Dorothy’s dearest wish is to be a librarian in a fine brick library just like the one she visited when she was small. But her new home in North Carolina has valleys and

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Cooking American Style, Up on Cedar Mountain

By Fahey, Brigid; Fahey, Michael

This cookbook features original recipes and poetry of Chef Michael R. Fahey inspired by the southern highlands of the Appalachian Mountains. The Autumn Beet-Apple-Fennel Salad is a perfect recipe to be made with local ingredients, or the indulgent Sweet Potato Ice Cream!

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Cider Beans, Wild Greens, and Dandelion Jelly: Recipes from Southern Appalachia

By Aller, Joan

These recipes from Southern Appalachia feature local recipes best made with local ingredients! Use local tart apples to make the Raw Apple Cake or late spring harvested ramps to make the Ramps and Bacon.

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Appalachian Toys and Games: A to Z

By Pack, Linda

In this non-fiction, beautifully illustrated book, Linda Hager Pack takes a look at what Appalachian childhood was like during the mid to late 1800s. She informs her readers of the creative games, stories, and crafts children would engage in to keep themselves entertained. This informative read will leave both children and adults’ alike day-dreaming of

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Apple Butter Time

By Ransom, Candice

Jonathan’s grandparents own an apple orchard in the mountains. Every fall the whole family gets together for an old-fashioned apple butter making party, and Jonathan learns about his family traditions.

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When I Was Young in the Mountains

By Rylant, Cynthia

A beautiful, lyrical book depicting simpler times in Appalachia.

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Passing the Music Down

By Sullivan, Sarah

A young boy travels to the hills of Appalachia from Indiana to meet the old-time fiddle player whose music he has admired. A friendship is created, and over the years the boy learns not only about old time music, but also about regional traditions.

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