Wind Song of the Little Smokies

by Rodney Ivan Crouse

Meet the Buckman family and a rainbow of animals in a story set in the rolling blue hills of southern Ohio. They love each other and their neighbors, work hard and live their dreams. This is a story of natural melody and truly deserving of its title. The heart of Wind Song is the vivid details of animal interaction among themselves and humans. Many humans create havoc in the animal world through the thoughtless and cruel disregard for the balance of nature. The story of Dutch the Doberman makes us ashamed for the way we manipulate and then throw away animals who have become inconvenient or even dangerous due to their treatment. In contrast, the caring and love of the Buckman family for their dogs Pepper and Vickie is delightful. Perhaps most fascinating is the mutual respect shared between humans and nature's children embodied in the fox, Chestnut. This charming character shows us how perfectly balanced we could be with wildlife and the environment if only we would allow ourselves to be so. We all wander across Mother Nature's face. In our families and out in her gardens, we will know harmony when we learn to sing her song and walk in gratitude for her gifts.

261 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1999