Mike Norris, Minnie Adkins Pen New Children's Book, MOMMY GOOSE

Lexington, KY-Appalachia is known for its distinct voice and unique culture, and its long tradition of folk art, storytelling, and music has made the region a creative hotbed. Collectors have long sought work from the weavers of the Appalachian Craft Revival as well as from modern potters and glass blowers from towns like Berea and Asheville. Appalachia's strong oral tradition, where rhymes and stories continue to be passed from one generation to the next, has led to a flourishing literary community boasting best-selling novelists like Lee Smith, Silas House, Ron Rash, and Sharyn McCrumb. Likewise, Appalachia's influence on music ranges from the "Mother of Folk" Jean Ritchie to the "Father of Bluegrass" Bill Monroe.

These artistic traditions come together in Mommy Goose: Rhymes from the Mountains which pairs the clever verses of Mike Norris with whimsical, hand-carved illustrations by Minnie Adkins and closes with a song. This children's book is written in the style of Mother Goose rhymes, but with a regional flavor representative of Appalachia. Norris's rhymes exemplify the unique rhythm and cadence of Appalachian speech, and Adkins's three-dimensional sculptures bring the stories to life. Norris ends the book with the sheet music and lyrics of the original song "Tell Me, Mommy Goose," which includes all of his quirky characters and creates one overarching story for the audience.

Norris, a Kentucky native, offers a fresh take on the language and music of Appalachia. Through the character of Mommy Goose, Norris weaves fanciful tales that often present a moral to the audience. For instance, in the tradition of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," Norris's Lester Frye "was bad to lie / You couldn't believe a word he said / When he hollered, 'Come back / It's a heart attack' / They laughed and went on to bed." Each story offers a unique perspective on living and learning and drives home the importance of words and reading. As Norris writes, "When you listen to Mommy Goose, / You may forget the words she said, / but forty years later they're still in your head." To reinforce the language and rhythms, Norris's song combines all the stories in an accessible melody.

Adkins, an acclaimed folk artist who was born and raised in Appalachian Kentucky, offers readers a novel and creative alternative to traditional illustration. She hand carved and painted more than 100 new pieces for Mommy Goose, each with its own expressive personality that attests to her skillful artistry. Each of her carvings is a richly detailed, unconventional counterpart to Norris's witty rhymes, such as Clete, the parakeet who "could talk up a storm" only until the neighbors came to visit, or the rooster who "started pecking at Granpaw's legs" and then got cooked for supper. The stories and characters alike represent everyday life in Appalachia, from family and friends to wildlife and dinnertime.

Not only is Mommy Goose a celebration of culture and tradition, but it is also a modern-day example of how Appalachian folk art, language, and music still thrive. The combination of these art forms is invaluable in teaching children the morals presented within the rhymes, and Norris's fresh humor will give adults something to enjoy as they read to their children. Norris's and Adkins's collaborative work is sure to enchant readers young and old. What better way to keep Appalachian oral and artistic tradition "in your heart and on your tongue?"

Mike Norris was the director of communications at Centre College for sixteen years before he retired. He is the author of Sonny the Monkey and Bright Blue Rooster: Down on the Farm and has recorded several collections of original music.

Minnie Adkins is a folk artist with permanent collections at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Gallery of Art, the American Folk Art Museum, the Huntington Museum of Art, and the Kentucky Folk Art Center. She won the Kentucky Arts Council's Artist Award honoring lifetime achievement in the arts and holds an honorary doctorate from Morehead State University. She has contributed essays to numerous collections on folk art and crafts.

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