The American Library Association has a more extensive list of children’s books about Tennessee published in 2002.
(This page contains Amazon affiliate links)
Fiction:
The Twelve Days of Christmas in Tennessee by by Alice Faye Duncan and illustrated by Mary Reaves Uhles (2018)
Written by Tennessee native Alice Faye Duncan, this fact-filled fictional picture book uses a new take on layered text. The primary layer is a modified version of the popular Twelve Days of Christmas song appropriate for younger readers, starting with:
“On the first day of Christmas,
my cousin gave to me,
a mockingbird in a tulip poplar tree. “
What makes it unique is that the secondary text is epistolary — in the form of letters written from areas around the state. What a great idea! It attracts older readers and encourages the lost art of letter writing all in one.
To make it perfect to accompany a geography lesson, there’s a map of Tennessee on the title page labeled with the specific places the letters are written.
- Reading ages : 5 and up
- Publisher : Sterling Children’s Books; Illustrated edition (September 4, 2018)
- ISBN-10 : 145492859X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1454928591
Lorraine by Ketch Secor and illustrated by Higgins Bond (2018)
Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover
When Lorraine and her Pa Paw lose their harmonica and pennywhistle in a fierce storm, will they still be able to make music? Celebrates family and Tennessee’s musical roots.
- Reading ages: 4 – 8 years
- Publisher : Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; Illustrated edition (October 2, 2018)
- ISBN-13 : 978-1492616924
- ISBN-10 : 1492616923
The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Frank Morrison
Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Audio CD
Alta can only think about one thing: Wilma Rudolph, three-time Olympic gold medalist is coming and there’s going to be a big parade. Although Alta is the quickest kid in Clarksville, Tennessee –just like Wilma once was — a new girl challenges Alta to a race. Is Alta still the fastest, like her hero?
Reading age : 5 – 8 years
Publisher : Chronicle Books; Illustrated edition (February 9, 2016)
ISBN-10 : 1452129363
ISBN-13 : 978-1452129365
Luck with Potatoes by Helen Ketteman and illustrated by Brian Floca (1995)
A rousing tall tale about a Tennessee farmer whose outsized cows and crops cause him all sorts of trouble. (Out of print)
- Reading ages : 4 – 8 years
- Publisher : Orchard Books (September 1, 1995)
- ISBN-10 : 0531094731
- ISBN-13 : 978-0531094730
On Viney’s Mountain by Joan Donaldson (2014 edition)
Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover
Set in the 1880s in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee, sixteen-year-old Viney Walker doesn’t like the newcomers who are destroying the forests around her family’s farm. Or does she?
- Reading ages : 12 – 15 years
- Publisher : CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2nd edition (July 3, 2014)
- ISBN-13 : 978-1500493745
- ISBN-10 : 1500493740
Autumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb (2008)
Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover
Set in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee during 1934, eleven-year-old Autumn finds herself in the middle of a dilemma about making the Great Smokies into a national park.
This boo was chosen to represent the State of Tennessee in the Pavilion of States at the 2009 National Book Festival.
- Reading age : 8 – 12 years
- Publisher : Yearling; 1st edition (March 9, 2010)
- ISBN-10 : 0440422558
- ISBN-13 : 978-0440422556
Nonfiction:
Tennessee by Myra S. Weatherly (2008)
Looks at the history, geography, government, places, and people of Tennessee, as well as general facts about the state.
- Reading ages : 8 – 10 years
- Publisher : Childrens Pr (December 1, 2001)
- ISBN-10 : 0516223127
- ISBN-13 : 978-0516223124
V is for Volunteer: A Tennessee Alphabet by Michael Shoulders and illustrated by Bruce Langton (2001)
Part of the series of alphabet books from every state, this picture book explores Tennessee’s music and natural wonders.
- Reading ages : 6 – 9 years
- Publisher : Sleeping Bear Press; Illustrated edition (April 23, 2001)
- ISBN-10 : 1585360333
- ISBN-13 : 978-1585360338
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