Move that Mountain by Kate and Jol Temple, illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton

Title: Move that Mountain

Author: Kate and Jol Temple, illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Scholastic Press Australia

Published: 1^st April 2021

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 32

Price: $24.99

Synopsis: From the award-winning creators of Room on Our Rock

• Read this clever book front-to-back, then back-to-front to see both sides of the story
• A beautiful tale inspired by the global movement of children who have taken to the streets all over the world to bring awareness to important issues in their lives, like climate change
• A wonderful message for readers about never giving up, even if it looks like you can’t succeed
• Themes: compassion, creating change, teamwork, kindness, problem-solving, resilience and determination

There are two sides to every story . . .

A whale has become stranded on the beach, but the tiny puffins are far, far too small to help.

When Move That Mountain is read in reverse, the puffins realise they are not too little to help — together they can fix the problem.

A heart-warming and inspirational story about how even the smallest voice can make a big difference.

~*~

When a whale is beached, the puffins decide they can’t help. They’re too small, and even when they work together, they can’t move the whale, so what more can they do? When you read the book front to back, it is a story of giving up, of letting things get to you and stop you from reaching your full potential. But take a minute to read it from back to front once you’re done, and you will experience a different point of view and take on what people can do to help others, even if they feel like they are too small, or too insignificant to matter.

Kate and Jol Temple have created a magical story about working together, and the power of even the smallest people – puffins, children, or anyone whose voice isn’t heard as often as others – can influence the wider world, even if it is only a little bit at a time. This is a book that was inspired by the children who took part in the climate change marches over the past few years. It speaks to the need to speak out about important issues, about making ripples that turn into splashes and waves that will hopefully propel society into trying to do something to make the changes needed to ensure that the words become action.

Each double spread illustration has one sentence per spread, evoking a sense of wonder at what is to pull together as a community to achieve a common goal. It is gentle and comforting as well as inspirational as the words and illustrations dance across the page collaboratively to tell two stories – one of despondency and the other of hope.

It espouses that there are two sides to every story. Every story will always have two different sides, and in some cases, one may be right and the other wrong, there are also going to be those stories where two angles might be considered before we do the right thing, such as helping people, as is illustrated in this story. Life is fragile, as this story also shows in its slow and meditative way. Humanity is also fragile. Children and readers of all ages, because picture books aren’t just for children, will gain something special and unique when they read this book, and it can open up conversations that we may not have had with those around us. It is one of those books that will be treasured for years to come.