Book excerpt: Explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the Appalachian range that teems with fascinating plant and wildlife, through the memorable frame of the engaging folk song “Over in the Meadow.” Amongst budding dogwood trees, crooked creeks, mountains fading to heaven, and other stunning settings, animal mothers and their young all play a part in the great wide wilderness. Count the babies on every page: one fawn hides while two bear cubs forage, three cardinal fledglings fly and four owlets hoot, all the way up to ten salamander efts and one last expansive view of a unique American region. This traditional tune made new and paired with gorgeous, lushly illustrated creatures and environments will have kids counting, singing, and totally awed by the natural world.