Appalachia: The Voices of Sleeping Birds – A Beautiful Portrait of Life in a Timeless Landscape for Children

by Cynthia Rylant, Barry Moser (Illustrator)

Lyrical prose and warm watercolor illustrations bring a "certain part of the country called Appalachia" alive for young readers. Two award-winning artists, forever touched by their experiences growing up in this unique landscape, have teamed to create a quietly powerful and beautifully crafted portrait of life in a timeless place.

Genres: Picture Books, Geography, Childrens, Nonfiction, Family, School

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 1991

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Michelle Nigro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I heard the term, "white trash," I was in college. I can't remember who said it, but when I asked what it meant I remember being told it was, "like people who live in Alabama or Appalachia, you know white trash..." I recall being shocked at the term and feeling ill at ease with the whole concept of people being considered "trash." Looking back, I think the person using the term was speaking to a different class of society then they were. I was too young and naive to realize that some see class as so important that those who are not in the same class or a desired class are termed with derogatory notations. This book reveals a beautiful people, possibly less economically advantaged, but with no less "class" than anyone else.

Rylant opens the story by introducing the reader to the various dogs of Appalachia, and then weaves us into the lives of the owners of these various dogs. Some may be descended from coal miners and have become coal miners themselves. Others are descended from slaves. Some have houses with bathrooms and running water inside their homes, while others have outside facilities. Most hunt animals, not just for sport, but for dinner. Few allow their dogs inside their homes, and definitely not on the bed. Most people attend Baptist church and spend the rest of their Sunday with family or friends. All of the people revealed to us are beautiful and authentic in Moser's illustrations. The reader is definitely exposed to strata of societal classes, but not in an overt way. We meet dogs and their owners; we connect with the inhabitants of Appalachia through the things they own and the places they go. I do not find a hint of deficit in the presentation of the rich culture of this region.

I am a huge fan of Cynthia Rylant. I find her work to be exemplary, poignant, and always so simple and vulnerable. It's easy to overlook her talent and skill due to the authentic way she presents her subjects, and the artful manipulation of words to paint glorious pictures. This book will give the reader a different perspective of the people of Appalachia, a perspective where the term, "white trash" finds no place.

[Cindy Kelly Benabderrahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this essay-style picture book, Rylant and Moser team up to tell the tale of the hardworking, spirited people of Appalachia. Reminiscent of James Agee, from whose works the epigraph and subtitle were taken, this book is a quiet lyric description of the Appalachians and the people who live in these hills.
We meet the dogs of the mountains, and their owners, whose horizons are more filled with trees than of sky. We come to know the bravery of coal miners, and the legacy of the people who have mined the coal for generations. We come to understand the homesickness that strikes these people, and how it seems to be of the most severe kind. Rylant tells us of the handmade quilts, the homemade cornbread, the thickness of night in the mountains, of church on Sunday mornings and of back porch gatherings Sunday afternoons. We hear of canning in the summers, and snapping beans. We learn of the smell of honeysuckle, the joy of walking dirt roads. And through it all, the constant theme of these Good Dogs of Appalachia, named things like King, or Prince, and coming from places named Coal City, or Sally’s Backbone.

Ultimately, what Rylant and Moser deliver here is a textual and pictorial delight—more of a fleeting feeling, really, than a narrative story. Without plot or reason, we are left with what feels like a brush with something beautiful, something familiar, a map on a scrap of paper drawn by an old friend.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet, soothing, almost mystical telling of life in Appalachia. The watercolor illustrations add an almost melancholy feel but it's more peaceful than melancholy. Beautifully done in both words and pictures.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of those picture books that’s written for adults or older children. This reminded me of a favorite from my youth, Ragsale by Artie Ann Bates.

As an Appalachian I loved this and it brought a lump to my throat.

Read from the library and bought a copy to keep.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely narrative about life and the folks living in Appalachia accompanied by gorgeous watercolor artworks.

[sincerely · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+❤️
Top 5 favorite picture books of all time for me. Wow. 😍👏

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The area known as Appalachia is a significant area of the United States and remains generally poor, despite many government efforts to stimulate economic development. Some people refer to the residents as “hillbillies,” but the referents often take that as an insult.
This book is meant to be a primer on the people that make their homes in Appalachia. While they may not have a lot of wealth, they do have a lot of pride in their heritage and region. Coal mining is a main industry in the area, it is a dirty, dangerous occupation that has been a part of the heritage of many families for generations.
Written at the level of the late elementary or early middle school student, this is a book that does an excellent job of introducing all people to a region that is often misunderstood and sometimes belittled.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully sentimental introduction to the area of the U.S. called Appalachia. It tells of the simple life that those who live there have, with low clouds in the hills when waking in the morning, church community on Sunday when it’s a time for rest and visiting. There is hunting for the men and canning for the women, dogs who run free and other good parts of the life there. Each double page shows one of Barry Moser’s portrait work from photos of the life there, some of children, some adults, some dogs-all evocative of a simple and good life. Yet there is some mention of the background of coal mining, what many of the men have done for more than one generation. Cynthia Rylant’s writing is always poetic and lovely to read.

[Shirley26505 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after I was an adult, and it resonated with me deeply. It was the first time that I ever saw *my people,* the people of Appalachia, depicted in a children's book...and in such an honest, positive manner. There are more than a few media outlets that could learn something from Cynthia Rylant's beautifully told story. Read this...read it to your children, whether you live in the country *or* the city.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story. Rylant writes, "Most of them are thinkers, because the mountains inspire that, but they could never find the words to tell you of these thoughts they have. They talk to you of their corn or their cows and they keep the thoughts to themselves." I really like that sentiment. I shines a new light on the quiet, strong people.

The watercolor illustrations are gorgeous.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Cynthia Rylant, but I was not familiar with this book until I found it in my local library. Such a beautiful ode to a unique part of the country. The text and the words seem straight out of a Dolly Parton or Loretta Lynn song.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is a children's book, it is one of the best to show what Appalachia means. It goes beyond the media stereotype and shows the heart of the people who live there.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into the lives of Appalachian people. Another aspect of diversity that is sometimes not acknowledged. Love Cynthia Rylant books.

[funny dot J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the Appalachia people and culture, with beautiful illustrations.

[Madison Ramsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story gives a picture of life in the Appalachian Mountains. Rylant writes of the people and animals you will find in this area. She tells of the people who do not pretend to be anything they are not. She shows that though these people have typically been shown in an unflattering light, but they are some of the most hardworking, warm people you will ever meet.

I would use this story in my classroom, for sure! I could use this story to teach about different cultures, even within America. I would say that this book is definitely meant for upper elementary students because it does not have much of a storyline. I would have this book in my classroom

[Chelsie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appalachia, what a culture! How wonderful of a book to say to children hat just because we are not rich, or do not have the nicest yard, we are still people. It would be a wonderful book to read to children if some are getting bullied by others due to their SES status.

[The Transmuted Tree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red 5th

Beautiful pictures; in fact the illustrations were copied from photographs and they are very detailed & realistic. I wish the writing was on par with the art. And I didn't understand the title.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Rylant presents a loving and tender view of Appalachian people and places.

Great book when studying areas of the United States. Would keep in a classroom library for 3rd through 6th grade.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this makes me ever so homesick. As always Cynthia Rylant tells a beautiful tale. Barry Moser's illustrations in a square opposite Cynthia's words are lovely and vibrant. It is a good recommendation and I will want to add it to our library. We read this as an inter-library loan book.

[Lois Dunahoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint would be that she said hollow instead of holler.
I believe that this book tells many true Appalachia facts. In a way that will gain the students attention and will lead to the students having interest in reading the book. It will be perfect to read around Appalachian Day at school and for history lessons.

[✨Arline✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book for adults or older children

[Kathy Brower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning!!

[Lucile Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a beautiful sense of place. It’s descriptions brought tears to my eyes not because Appalachia is my home (it is not), but because this book has reverence for what home and place are.

[Suzanne Dix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving this "day in the life" look at Appalachia to our picture book collection.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A description of life lived in the Appachian Mountains

[Ya Ling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just wanted more.

[Karly J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prose is breathtaking. I am literally sobbing

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The owners of these dogs grew up more used to trees than sky and inside them had this feeling of mystery about the rest of the world they couldn't see because mountains came up so close to them and blocked their view like a person standing in a doorway.


This is a stunning book. Rylant beautifully describes coal miners, church-goers, dogs, mountains, seasons, and Sunday afternoons spent visiting on front porches. Moser's delicate and evocative watercolors are perfect companions to the narratives.


Morning in these houses in Appalachia is quiet and full of light and the mountains out the window look new, like God made them just that day. Night in these houses is thick, the mountains wear heavy shawls of fog, and giant moths flap at the porch lights while cars cut through the dark hollows like burrowing moles.

[Carol Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This does not have a story to follow. It's a description of the people of Appalachia. It's beautifully writtn and illustrated, but I wanted more. One warning, though, when we were done my daughter, 8, said, "I don't get it." I think the lack of any plot was kind of confusing, and the people were more or less like us. The hills, the creeks, the dirt road are all familiar to her. The only thing in the story she found odd was the mention of outhouses.