Letters From Papaw: Stories From Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains

by Sarah Seaton Myers, Lyla Myers (Illustrator)

Like most children, the Myers siblings were oblivious to their family's fascinating background. After receiving a history assignment, the kids send a letter to their papaw, Leon Myers, asking for details about his childhood. The responses, sent over the course of a year, result in numerous revelations about the children's true Cades Cove heritage.

Filled with true stories and personal insight into the Cove, "Letters From Papaw" provides readers with a unique perspective from someone born in Cades Cove.

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2022

Reviews

[Noelle-Christine Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit I did judge a book by its cover but in this case it was a necessary reason. You see I too have a papaw, just lost mine a month ago, and I instantly new I needed to read this book.

Reading the back and forth between the children and their papaw felt so familiar. I too have loved digging into the family's past and have spent hours quizzing family for stories. So reading this novel really did feel right at home for me.

One thing that they told kids was that their Papaw didn't always live there at Cades Cove like they assumed he did. She said while he didn't live there long, he was always connected and traveled back. This is exactly how my family, and my own papaw, have been throughout our lives.

Overall I feel this book was like immersing myself into another family story. It never felt like a stranger peering into someone else's life. Just like a warm little hug while snuggled up with family waiting for the next part of the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lesley Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the photos and reading the letters that he wrote to his grandchildren detailing his life and his parents and grandparents life and other people in his family the only thing I would have lie to see is a copy of one of the letters for me that would have made it that more special and personal seeing his hand written letter.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elaine Beckham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was very well written and it had a lot of wonderful pictures of Cades Cove and talked about what life was like for those that lived there many years ago. I would highly recommend this book.

[Mindy Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy, kid friendly read about life in cades cove.

[hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was such a sweet and charming book. A mom has her children write their grandpa asking him questions, and he writes backs answers about his life and shares family stories. There’s something so wonderful and old fashion and lovely about letter writing and children learning from an elder, hearing stories they’ll remember for a lifetime that they can then pass down to their children. I thought this could be a great book to read with your children and if you have the opportunity, this book could inspire you to do the same contacting elders in your own family. I’m so glad that the author’s children got to have this beautiful experience, and that the author shared this experience in this book. It’s a great example of how something so simple as letter writing can be so meaningful. I’m sure the author’s children will look back on their lives and see this experience as one that stands out as a special moment in their childhoods and as an example of how loving, thoughtful, and wonderful their mother is. In a world where so much parenting can go wrong, this book is an example of parenting done well and right.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.