When I was Young in the Mountains (Picture Book) (Award Winning)

     I read When I was Young in the Mountains written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Diane Goode.  This book was published by Reading Rainbow.  This is a story about remembering the simple ways of life in the country.  Readers learn about the swimming hole, baths in the kitchen, sharing family memories, and more.  This is a story that is simple and will also inform students about the way of life some people lived a long time ago.
     I think the illustrations in this book are so beautiful.  They are faded in on the page and almost appear as if they're memories floating onto the pages. The words of this book are rather simple and young children should be able to easily follow along.  I think this book would be great either to read as a whole class, or in partners or small reading groups.
     I think a great classroom activity a teacher could do with their classroom would be to discuss what they know about the past and possibly what their parents have told them about growing up.  I might have students write a note to their future selves about when they were young and what growing up in the year 2015 (or whatever year).

•   Genre: Children's Literature 
•   Awards: The Randolph Caldecott Medal

•  This is a youtube video of a reading of the book When I was Young in the Mountains with some flavorful music that adds to the interest of the reading.