On Top of Old Smoky: A Collection of Songs and Stories from Appalachia [Hardcover]

Ron Kidd (Author), Ronald Kidd (Author), Linda Anderson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Favorite folksongs time-honored legends and magnificent artwork of historic Appalachia are featured in this memorable book

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Not complete songs but lyrics are collected here, along with three tried-and-true stories (e.g., "Jack and the Bean Tree") put into Appalachian dialect (Granny says, "Here, boy, take this bean outside and plant it, and make you a bean tree"). Kidd's introduction, which adopts a cloying storybook tone ("Imagine leaving your home and your country and . . . moving to a new land") but provides little in the way of specific information, defines the Appalachian heritage responsible for the volume's stories and 11 lyrics. Anderson, a native of Appalachia, adds interest with art in two distinct styles. A few pictures, rendered in deeply colored oil crayons on fine-grained sandpaper, have the lush density of a jungle landscape, while shapes are heavily outlined and seem shoe-horned into the crowded compositions; the majority, in oil paints on canvas, display the stylized proportions, flattened perspectives and busily patterned backgrounds characteristic of American folk art. The book's design is particularly attractive, with the borders that frame each picture repeated to set off the accompanying text. A gift set that includes a 60-minute cassette is also available. All ages.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Ideals Publications (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824985699
• ISBN-13: 978-0824985691
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,415,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Songs and Stories to Share, December 10, 2007

By 

Mimi - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Top of Old Smoky: A Collection of Songs and Stories from Appalachia (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a gift for a friend who sings with his guitar at Borders. He loved it. He uses these classics in his performances. The artwork is a plus. He brings the book and the kids love to look at the book. Most have never heard of Appalachia. Some kids only know the "On Top of Spaghetti" version of the title son.

Highly recommend.