From the Good Mountain: How Gutenberg Changed the World

Picture-book author James Rumford, whose biographies in the form include such titles as Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing and Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs, here turns to the story of Johannes Gutenberg, and the incredible printing press that he invented. Framed as a puzzle, the narrative here describes an object made with rag and bones and soot and seeds, wearing a dark brown coat and filled with gold. What was that object? A printed book - the first printed book - which would revolutionize the world...

A wonderfully creative and educational way to present the story of Gutenberg's printing press, From the Good Mountain: How Gutenberg Changed the World is both informative and show more entertaining. It was fascinating to learn how each of the constituent elements of a book - the paper, the ink, the binding, the decorations - were made, and to think of how radically Gutenberg's press changed the way in which the printed word was transmitted, how much easier and more quickly books could be produced. The accompanying artwork is gorgeous, with full-page paintings on one side of each two-page spread, and beautifully ornate decorative elements accompanying the text on the other side. Recommended to anyone seeking children's books about Gutenberg and his revolutionary printing press. show less

As the description from the inside of the dust jacket says, this book is "written as a series of riddles and illustrated in the style of medieval manuscripts" and is beautifully done. Back matter includes a three-page epilogue of background information and a page of keyword suggestions for internet searches to find out more about Gutenberg himself and various aspects of the process of bookmaking. Beyond simply enjoying the literary and artistic beauty of this book, it can also be used as an introduction to a number of different topics. Highly recommended.

This book, told in rhyme, was focused primarily on what went into the creation of the first book published with a printing press. It was very interesting, though more for its attention to printing press details than its biographical information. The epilogue did a great job filling in the detail of Gutenberg's life. I truly enjoyed this book. I'm not sure children would be so enthused, but I was.

Beautiful illustrations accompany this fascinating glimpse into Gutenberg and the famous printing press he made. Who knew the ink was made from flax seeds and pine tree pitch soot? Or that the paper was made from rags, hooves and bone? Loved this book and hope it wins a Siebert award.

This beautifully illustrated informational picture book introduces young readers to Johannes Gutenberg and his historic printing press, and provides fascinating descriptions of each step of the book making process in the 1500s. Epilogue, Key Search Terms.

From the Good Mountain: How Gutenberg Changed the World is an informational book about the Gutenberg printing press and everything that went into creating paper and books in the medieval years. This book has great information and beautiful illustrations.

An elegant introduction to the inventor of the printing press, cleverly told and handsomely illustrated.