Mario Bellini

A cute little story about a little boy who wants to draw the mountain he can see from his window. He attempts his sketch multiple times and from various angles. But he is never satisfied with the result. He even tries climbing the mountain but that too doesn’t help much. Until he finally realises what it was that he had been missing out on.

The story is quite simplistic in its essence and yet teaches a lot about perspectives. It also helps kids realise that sometimes, we might miss out on show more the obvious that’s right next to us in the quest to search something farther in the distance. The book might also create an interest in exploring what’s outside the window rather than sticking to screens all day long. However, all these morals come out only on contemplation and the story doesn’t advocate any lesson directly. So it will work better if read with an adult.

As the cover image suggests, the illustrations are adorable and suit the story aptly. The language is easy enough for beginner readers to read on their own.

Overall, a very sweet book with a beautiful ending that kids are sure to love.

3.75 stars from me.

My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Boy and the Mountain”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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The Boy and the Mountain is written by Mario Bellini and Marianna Coppo, two avid hikers residing in Italy. As a hiker myself, this book immediately caught my attention. The story follows a boy who tries to draw his beloved window-view mountain, but finds that something is always missing. He goes on an adventure to try to capture it's beauty, meeting multiple friends along the way.

This book will make you smile the entire time reading it to and with your children. The artwork is adorable, show more making me want my kid's room's walls covered with it. The authors did a wonderful job of crafting a sweet story that is appropriate for it's age group of 3 - 7 years old. It will definitely spark an interest in exploring and drawing nature, making it a book that I would like to use as a reading field trip for my toddler once it is available to purchase. show less

A simple lesson in looking past the whole picture to see what it is made up of is easily readable to others and by ESL.
Marianna Coppo fills the pages with simple, colorful, creative illustrations which add even more love and meaning to this book.
Translated by Debbie Bibo
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Ok, take out the bear, make the kid at least 10. Or, make it a metaphor or fable, like 100 Acre Wood. In other words, change the book into a different one and then I'll like it. Sorry, not for me I guess.