A is for Appalachia

The Alphabet Book of Appalachian Heritage - Illustrated by Pat Banks
ISBN: 1-56469-086-5

“The Appalachia about which I write is of a distant time and place. It is populated with strong people whose ancestors primarily came from Scotland, Ireland, England and Germany. When our country was young and under English rule, it was our Appalachian ancestors who resisted being governed or taxed by England. Being fiercely independent they moved west into the mountains where they joined the proud people of the Cherokee Nation. They lived in log homes, they grew their own food, they made their own clothes and they crafted their own tools. They told haint tales by the evening fire and Jack tales while at work during the day. They sang sad ballads on front porches and danced to lively jigs played on homemade fiddles and banjos. They worked hard, rested little and took pride in a job well done. They cared about each other, they cared about their mountains and they gave thanks to their God. It is a rich heritage that I joyfully share with you in the pages of this book." – Linda Pack

Linda Hager Pack grew up in the small town of Hamlin, West Virginia, where she was reared by her parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents to be a "proper youngun.’ Having determined early on that “children are what God does best,” Linda decided to become a teacher. She earned her bachelor and master degrees in elementary education from Eastern Kentucky University where she graduated with honors; and in 1996 Kentucky’s Governor, Paul Patton, presented her the prestigious Ashland Oil Teacher Award.

During her 22 years of teaching young children in West Virginia and Kentucky, Linda realized that the theme she and her students most enjoyed was the one she taught about Appalachia. Following her passion for writing and the advice she often gave her students, she decided to write about what she knows and what she loves: Appalachia.

The author has two grown children, Robin and Josh, and a granddaughter, Elleigh. She lives in Richmond, Kentucky, with her husband, Jim and their sad dog, Zoe.