From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3–"In the mountains down south, morning is musical." Young Brenda Gail revels in sounds, from the rooster's cry to the screen door's swish, but nothing pleases her more than discovering her Gran Pap humming his special mountain song. He informs her that everyone born in the mountains has a song in them, and Brenda Gail can create her own tune with her favorite memories. As she goes through the day, she gathers, much as she does eggs, ideas to add to her own melody. She includes her great-grandparents along with her favorite animals and activities, but draws the line at her annoying cousin Melvin–there is no way that he will be part of her composition. A near tragedy softens her resolve, and she learns that the best songs (and families) encompass a variety of emotions. Crum's lyrical words work well with Rand's fluid watercolors. With their soft impressionistic look, the full-bleed illustrations, executed in faded browns and grays with touches of pastel hues, have a timeless quality that elicits a feeling of nostalgia. Together, author and illustrator have created a delight for the senses that harmonizes the coziness of a close-knit family with the gentle ambience of old-fashioned farm life.
–Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
K-Gr. 3. While Brenda Gail is visiting her grandparents' Kentucky farm, she hears Gran Pap's mountain song: "It's made up of bits and pieces, like one of your great-grandmother's quilts. It's got good memories in it," he says. "What about
my song?" Brenda Gail asks, and she considers what she'll sing about. She's sure she won't include her pesky cousin Melvin, especially after Brenda Gail and Melvin get into a fight that injures Big Ma's favorite hen. Banished to sit in the corner, Brenda Gail softens when Melvin brings her lunch and apologizes. Written in folksy language, the tender story is beautifully illustrated with soft watercolor paintings that show the family gathering eggs, doing chores, and sharing meals as Brenda Gail discovers what she loves most about being on the mountain farm.
Karen HuttCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
