I Hear You, Mountains

July 15, 2024
On a fall hike in the mountains, a small group listens to the world around them. An adult and three children--a preschooler with light brown skin and curly hair in two puffs and two school-age children, one with light skin, short blond hair, and a knit cap, the other sporting glasses and sharing the beige skin tone and dark hair of the adult--set off on a hike. "The mountains have lots to say... / if you listen." Each subsequent spread starts with an onomatopoeic sound and the children recognizing the noisemaker: "Chirr, chirr. / I hear you, Chipmunk, / chattering cheerfully. / Would you like / to hike with us?" On their way to the summit, they also hear a waterfall, rustling branches, bouncing pine cones, birds hoping for dropped crumbs, footsteps, a snoring bear (imagined), snowflakes, and an echo. George highlights sights and sounds accessible to most children who are exploring the mountains, making this an adventure that young ones can replicate, especially since Mok depicts the characters taking frequent breaks to rest, snack, or satisfy their curiosity. The youngest child hitches a ride partway but is still able to tackle the terrain, and the group's efforts have a satisfying payoff. Likely to sharpen nature-listening skills, this is ideal for sharing before a mountain hike of your own.(Picture book. 3-7)

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November 2, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-A group of four hikes a mountain. Along the way, they talk to nature-the birds, the trees, the waterfall-and nature responds in onomatopoeic sounds. The group comprises one adult and three children of different ages and ethnicities. It is unclear how they know each other. It is also unclear who the narrator is, but the artwork is smartly composed in a way that suggests any of the four characters could be narrating this relaxing nature journey. Some of the onomatopoeia is a stretch-does a pinecone go "plip plip"? The text is straightforward, usually two sentences, a sound effect, and the repeated refrain, "I hear you." Strangely, the narrator says "I [heart emoji] you, mountains" replacing "love" with a small black heart icon; no symbols are used anywhere else in the text. The group doesn't have much of a survival instinct; one child hears snoring and approaches a hole that the child thinks might be a bear's den. Still, their journey is not about wilderness survival but nature appreciation. Engaging scenes of nature appear in colored pencil and gouache. VERDICT For those needing a solid read-aloud for story times, consider this; despite some random elements, its message of love for nature is clear.-Chance Lee Joyner

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