When it comes to geography, history and culture, Appalachia is certainly unique when talking about the vast places people live in the United State of America. West Virginia being the only state completely engulfed within Appalachia, it is important our students understand and appreciate its large contribution to Appalachian societal traditions. WVAEA continues to develop resources for the purpose of helping teachers transfer Appalachian and more specifically West Virginia history and culture to their students. Help us keep alive the artistic practices which are unique to our heritage.

This month you will get two book reviews for the price of one. The first book is titled Appalachia: A History, by John Alexander Williams. This almost five-hundred-page book is a comprehensive history of Appalachia. Like a basket weaver, it threads social, environmental, economic, political, and popular histories into a grand narrative, explaining the story of a region which is not defined by traditional boundaries. This book starts in 1540 way before the U.S. became a nation state and end in 2000. It is an impressive book with much to offer the teacher who seeks to know more about themselves and the Appalachian students who they teach.

The second book is Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains: An Artist’s Journey, by Rosalie Haizlett. We teach our students, “Good artists slow down and observe our surroundings”. Haizlett demonstrates this ability to observe nature in spectacular detail. This book is an illustrated journey she literally took traveling the Appalachian Mountains. This 236-page book is broken into four Appalachian regions, showing us the flora and fauna that is so unique to this unique geological space. Full-page watercolors show off the details of animals, plans and fungi she discovers though her journey. The book will teach you important facts related to Appalachian geography, ecology, and zoology, all while showing her artistic process and hundreds of watercolor illustrations. It is perfect to teach an interdisciplinary lesson between art and science. Plus, students can be inspired by Haizalett, recognizing she grew up, completed College in and currently lives in West Virginia. Maybe this book can inspire your students to slow down and document their surroundings.