Dubuc's pastel watercolors and colored pencils present a gentle but meaningful intergenerational story. The elderly Mrs. Badger has had many experiences and lived a full life. Every week, on Sunday, she walks up the neighboring mountain. One day, she meets a small cat on the way. She shares her food and invites the cat to go with her. She helps Lulu find a walking stick and keep going even when its hard. Finally, they reach the top of Sugarloaf Peak and together they see the world. Their weekly walks and observations continue, but one day Mrs. Badger is too tired to climb the mountain. Now Lulu climbs and comes back to tell her friend of all she's seen and bring her treasures. And one day, Lulu finds a new friend to whom she can pass on the wisdom she learned from Mrs. Badger.

Just so you know, Mrs. Badger doesn't die. This isn't a story about death but about generations sharing wisdom and the beauty of the natural world together. Dubuc's soft watercolors show a wonderful world of animals, nature, and other discoveries that the two friends make on their hiking trips and a lifetime of quiet nature observations and acceptance.

Verdict: While this may not be a storytime pick, it's a lovely story to read one-on-one with a child or in a classroom of older kids and talk about the things they can learn from adults - and what they can teach themselves, as well as fostering a love of nature and the ability to overcome difficulties.

ISBN: 9781616897239; Published October 2, 2018 by Princeton Architectural Press; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

This is a beautiful story about the circle of life, friendship, learning from elders, and enjoying life and nature. Each Sunday Mrs Badger walks up to the top of the mountain, a place where she can sit and see the world, Along the way she makes friends with various animals and helps when she can. One day, Leo the cat spots Mrs Badger, and, even though he is afraid and doesn't think he can make it, Mrs. Badger helps him reach the top. The journey repeats itself every Sunday, until Mrs. Badger is too tired and can't make it anymore. When Lulu heads up the mountain alone, she brings back items and stories to Mrs. Badger. Eventually, she meets a reluctant friend and the tradition continues.

Dubuc's story is simple, poetic and told through illustrations and text. I love the depictions of the mountain, nature and the panorama they see at the top of the mountain. This is a great story about life, encouraging one another, taking the first step, and so much more. A story for families everywhere. The publisher, Princeton Architectural Press, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own. ( )

The marvelous Marianne Dubuc, French-Canadian picture-book creator extraordinaire, delivers another winner with Up the Mountain Path, which pairs a lovely, heartfelt, and ultimately heartwarming tale with beautiful illustrations. Here we follow the story of Mrs. Badger, a kindhearted amateur naturalist who likes to hike to the top of nearby Sugarloaf Peak every Sunday. When her path crosses with Lulu the cat's, she invites this new feline friend along, teaching her many things in the course of their journey. The two are soon hiking together every weekend, until the day Mrs. Badger is too tired to continue. Then Lulu carries on alone, bringing all the news back to her musteline elder, and eventually welcoming a newcomer herself...

Originally published in French as Le chemin de la montagne, this lovely picture-book has that gentle, heartfelt quality that I associate with Dubuc's best work, and is now tied with her The Lion & the Bird as my favorite title, from amongst her works. The artwork is beautiful, capturing the emotional register of each scene perfectly. There is an understated sense of compassion and connection to be found here, in the little details. When Mrs. Badger assures Lulu in the text that it isn't much further, gently touching her on the head as they walk along, I got a lump in my throat. The way in which the narrative comes full circle, as Lulu ends up sharing her food and her journey with another newcomer, just as Mrs. Badger shared with her, creates a conclusion that is immensely satisfying. Recommended to fellow Marianne Dubuc fans, and to anyone looking for (longer) children's stories about friendship, compassion, and a love of the natural world. ( )

Longish picture book - long on pictures, not text, and long in a good way.
Calm story about helping whenever you can, as well as the aging of Mrs Badger, and her losing the ability to climb to the top of the mountain.
GOOD to read to one or two children, sitting on the couch next to you. ( )

A lovely, and a bit sad book. Sad if you’re an adult and now what is happening to Mrs. Badger. Every week Mrs. Badger hikes Sugarloaf Peak. She sees friends, collects treasures, etc. One day a little kitten becomes a new friend and traveling companion. Until Mrs. Badger can no longer make the trip. Now it is up to Kitten to continue the path alone, discovering things for herself, and making new friends. The story is not just that of friendship, but of trying new things, and sharing your wisdom. A tale that is timeless, and says with children once read. ( )