Blue Ridge Babies 1, 2, 3: A Counting Book

Explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the Appalachian range that teems with fascinating plant and wildlife, through the memorable frame of the engaging folk song “Over in the Meadow.” Amongst budding dogwood trees, crooked creeks, mountains fading to heaven, and other stunning settings, animal mothers and their young all play a part in the great wide wilderness. Count the babies on every page: one fawn hides while two bear cubs forage, three cardinal fledglings fly and four owlets hoot, all the way up to ten salamander efts and one last expansive view of a unique American region.

This traditional tune made new and paired with gorgeous, lushly illustrated creatures and environments will have kids counting, singing, and totally awed by the natural world.

Laura Sperry Gardner works as a youth services librarian just a short drive away from the Blue Ridge Parkway. She also teaches classes on traditional plant medicines, leads plant walks, and demonstrates folk medicine making. After earning her BS in English education and German education from Western Carolina University, she went on take master’s creative writing classes there. She lives in Mills River, North Carolina. This is her debut picture book.

Stephanie Fizer Coleman is a freelance illustrator who grew to love nature as a child and continues to find inspiration outside. She earned a BA in history while also studying ballet. Blending traditional and digital elements, her style experiments with all kinds of textures, patterns, and bright colors. She lives in Scott Depot, West Virginia, where she enjoys tending her vegetable garden and trying out new vegan recipes.