Pin up my hair, there's company coming

We'd better get some biscuits in the oven

You know I'll fry this meat and when I'm through

You set the table and I'll sing a song for you

Named in honor of Red Bird of the Cherokee Nation, the Red Bird River is a tributary of the Kentucky River located in the Daniel Boone National Forest. The land surrounding the river, in what is today known as Clay County, has been home to Cherokee people for thousands of years. The river runs deep with history, and generations have built lives around its banks.

Based on author and acclaimed singer-songwriter Carla Gover's own childhood experiences, Me and the Red Bird River is a heartfelt story about a young girl who lives along the river and learns about mountain lifeways—including how to fetch spring water and make a quilt from "old britches"—from her grandmother. This book combines the lyricism and musical rhymes from Gover's song of the same name with Jeff Chapman-Crane's vibrant, detailed illustrations to portray Appalachia's past with glowing authenticity. Complete with short informational sections about Red Bird and the river, a glossary to provide cultural context and build vocabulary, and a recipe for Grandma Ollie's Fried Apple Pies, Me and the Red Bird River is a delightful celebration of the region for readers of all ages to enjoy.