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Down Down The Mountain
Back in print from Purple House Press! Hetty and her brother Hank wanted creaky, squeaky shoes. High in the Blue Ridge Mountains where they lived there were no shoes of this kind, nor did Hank and Hetty have any money. They did have some turnip seeds and these they planted and tended until they had the fattest, juiciest turnips in all that region.
They set out to town to sell them. Hetty and Hank's adventures along the way to town and in town, their return home and the things they brought back with them, make a delightful story for all young children.
The author lived in the Blue Ridge country and knew people like Hetty and Hank, their Pappy and Mammy, and their many friends. Children and adults will appreciate the skill with which Ellis Credle has caught the flavor of the mountain folk.
Down, Down the Mountain was Ellis Credle's first book. In the 1930s she painted murals for the Brooklyn Children's Museum, funded by the WPA and in the evenings she worked on her book. Knowing that publishers avoided printing in full color, she chose to work in blue and brown. Credle recalled liking that combination of colors on a scarf a friend once gave her.
Credle brought her manuscript to Thomas Nelson and Sons in New York. An editor "liked it and...this instant approval was the giddiest experience I had ever had with an editor." Still, Credle said that when she was asked to leave the manuscript for consideration, she headed for the elevator with the work in hand. The editor caught her, and made a firm commitment that closed the deal.
Down, Down the Mountain has been called "the first picture book ever done of the Blue Ridge country" and it was an overnight and enduring success, selling more than 4,000,000 copies. Fifteen editions were published in English between 1934 and 1973. In 1971 it was honored with a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.
They set out to town to sell them. Hetty and Hank's adventures along the way to town and in town, their return home and the things they brought back with them, make a delightful story for all young children.
The author lived in the Blue Ridge country and knew people like Hetty and Hank, their Pappy and Mammy, and their many friends. Children and adults will appreciate the skill with which Ellis Credle has caught the flavor of the mountain folk.
Down, Down the Mountain was Ellis Credle's first book. In the 1930s she painted murals for the Brooklyn Children's Museum, funded by the WPA and in the evenings she worked on her book. Knowing that publishers avoided printing in full color, she chose to work in blue and brown. Credle recalled liking that combination of colors on a scarf a friend once gave her.
Credle brought her manuscript to Thomas Nelson and Sons in New York. An editor "liked it and...this instant approval was the giddiest experience I had ever had with an editor." Still, Credle said that when she was asked to leave the manuscript for consideration, she headed for the elevator with the work in hand. The editor caught her, and made a firm commitment that closed the deal.
Down, Down the Mountain has been called "the first picture book ever done of the Blue Ridge country" and it was an overnight and enduring success, selling more than 4,000,000 copies. Fifteen editions were published in English between 1934 and 1973. In 1971 it was honored with a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.
44 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1934
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 14, 2014
My five year old was getting worried for the children, half way through the book. He loved how it turned out. He appreciated that the children were kind to others at their own expense and that they were still taken care of in the end.
August 13, 2017
A simple and sweet story about a brother and sister who learn to be both industrious and generous.
November 19, 2016
Down Down the Mountain, by Ellis Credle, is a very sweet story about a family living in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mammy and Pappy live in a tiny log cabin up in the hills, where their children, Hetty and Hank, work and play alongside their parents. The children each dream of having a pair of shoes that would not only keep their feet warm during the winter months, but would also sing a "squeaky creaky song". However, money is tight and, frankly, the equally barefoot parents don't exactly see the need. Granny suggests a plan to help them reach their goal. Will the plan work? There's just no tellin'. (Ok, I could tell, but that would spoil the fun. Wouldn't it?)
First published in the early 1930s at the height of the Depression, the book with its two color illustrations has an austere feel, just perfect for a story about wants and needs that may be just slightly out of reach.
First published in the early 1930s at the height of the Depression, the book with its two color illustrations has an austere feel, just perfect for a story about wants and needs that may be just slightly out of reach.
March 1, 2020
A fun short Picture book with lovely illustrations that takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A simple story that gives a good taste of life in the Blue Ridge Mountains ~100 years ago. Perfect as an addition to our North Carolina history.
July 11, 2020
A compelling story about two Appalachian children wanting their first pair of shoes and how they worked hard to get them. Teaches several good traits-hard work, perseverance, generosity, and empathy.
April 4, 2023
One of my very favorite childhood books - out of so many: my mom was a children's librarian and brought home stacks of stories every week to enjoy.
Reading it paired with Eve Rice's "New Blue Shoes."
Reading it paired with Eve Rice's "New Blue Shoes."
August 28, 2024
An excellent picture book, on the long side, but still interesting enough for even my three-year-old daughter to sit through.
I like how the country people of the Appalachias are shown to be honest, hard-working, friendly, and generous, though poor.
I like how the country people of the Appalachias are shown to be honest, hard-working, friendly, and generous, though poor.
August 13, 2025
3.5. A forgotten book with a good story about working hard and helping others.
September 20, 2025
Great story of working hard for something you want, sharing with neighbors, and life years ago in the Blue Ridge mountains.
Illustrations ate brown and blue drawings.
Illustrations ate brown and blue drawings.
September 10, 2016
Read with Naomi.
June 28, 2015
My sister and I read this book many a time as children. The story teaches readers the ethic of hard work to achieve something that you desire. In this case, Hetty and Hank plant turnips so they can buy a pair of brand new shoes. Hetty and Hank are also shining examples of kindness to those less fortunate than they. And the illustrations are unique and lovely. I highly recommend to those with children for the values the book teaches.
December 24, 2013
Five in a Row book, not one old the best ones.
May 24, 2014
a weekly reader that I love written year dad was born.
May 31, 2015
good story of how hard work and perseverance can reap desired rewards.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews