The Crystal Mountain

by Ruth Sanderson

A weaver's tapestry is stolen by jealous fairies. Her three sons, Leon, Blaine, and Perrin, each vow to retrieve it for her. It takes determination and talent to outwit the fairy thieves—proving that the mightiest hero is often the most unlikely.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Fantasy, Magic, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Suvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixture of two stories, but it works quite well. I like the motif of an unlikely hero in fairytales: you can be ridiculed for having artistic leanings or different interests compared to others, but it's the character that determines one's fate. Sure, Perrin wouldn't have survived without the magic whistle, but he was rewarded with it precisely because he was brave and wanted to make his mother happy. Unfortunately, Sanderson's illustrations in this one were not for me. I think she tried to make them look like tapestries, but they're not quite there, just a little less detailed than her normal work.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sanderson's original fairy tales. This one is inspired by the Chinese tale of "The Magic Brocade" and the Norwegian tale "The Princess on the Glass Hill," according to the author's note. As a youngest child I am particularly disposed toward the valiant youngest child in fairy tales, so this pleased me greatly. And as with The Heart of the World, the other siblings are not idiotic reprobates, but are just a bit foolish before they redeem themselves. The way Sanderson illustrates the tapestry and its role in the story is simply marvelous. I love how the tapestry-weaving mother and her yield to her creativity is at the center of the story.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least in this version Mother doesn't seem quite so selfish.
But I still don't like the story, and Sanderson's illustrations disappoint, esp. compared to The Enchanted Wood. Well, they disappoint me. I think she was trying a different style, maybe, and it just doesn't suit me as well.

[Elevetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful fairytale retelling of the Chinese tale "The Magic Brocade" and the Norwegian tale "The Princess On the Glass Hill".

Legitimately though, it wouldn't be a fairytale without a helpful, and apparently independently wealthy, hermit handing out enchanted objects and/or gold to random passerby to aid them in their quests.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars


A mash-up of the Chinese story "The Magic Brocade" mixed with elements of the Norwegian "The Princess on the Glass Hill" all transported to a European setting to better fit Sanderson's art style. I enjoyed it. A bit spare on characterization and motivations in true fairytale form.

[Andrea Zuvich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Ruth Sanderson book we've read and my daughter loved the fairies and I really enjoyed the importance of Anna's tapestry to the story. The illustrations throughout are gorgeous and the font was not too small. Highly recommended.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Ruth Sanderson's horses, although she is a gifted artist in general, whether it's figures, landscapes, or fantasy. I found this 1999 offering up on The Open Library, saw it had a horse on the cover, and thought I'd better read it before it disappeared.

It's a nice blending of two folk tales, as Sanderson explains in the end. As in the nature of many folk tales, there's a lot left unexplained. Usually, these unanswered questions aren't a problem, but here I felt the tale was unfinished. Perhaps I'm just too old to appreciate this.

I did appreciate the art. Sanderson explained that all of the illustrations were oil paintings done on canvas. That explains their vivid depths and brilliant highlights. There are a lot of details left out of the text, so I felt that the art was better than the story.

And there are horses, in black, dapple-grey, white-grey, and bay. There are many other animals, too, including a pair of softly lovely swans, and a huge, possibly ticked-off fox. One key illustration is placed too soon in the narrative, making it quite the spoiler.

[Set · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this story had a lot of potential. I liked the magic of the tapestry but I felt that the three magical horses in his journey were redundant. Yes, he was brave but he wouldn't have completed his quest had it not been for the magic-man. People are brave everyday but that doesn't mean that they will get a handout for their bravery. The ending is not a HEA to me because they didn't stay in the magical land and instead became ministerial beggars, what kind of security for a family is that? Some of the pictures are nice but I'm a little disappointed.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author's note: "This story is mainly retold from the Chinese story 'The Magic Brocade,' with a number of elements adapted from the Norwegian tale 'The Princess on the Glass Hill.' As I felt my style is not especially suited to a Chinese setting, I moved the story to Europe during the fifteenth century, a period of elaborate tapestry making."

I enjoy stories with variations on the theme of art coming to life, writing oneself into a story, etc.

[Meltha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up randomly, thinking it was The Glass Mountain, which it partially is, but mixed with The Magic Brocade, a Chinese story I didn't know. Sanderson's illustrations are glorious, and she somehow manages to paint tapestries here. Stunningly beautiful work. The youngest son, a dreamer, retrieves his mother's stolen tapestry only for it to come alive. Very, very engaging illustrations. The audience might be older grade school.

[Aloysiuss · Rating 2 out of 5]

shallow, not very interesting. how can you write a book where music and singing are supposed to be important and not put even one little cheesy line of italisized song text in the story. leon and blaine were totally useless characters, and perrin didn't do jack shit to get his protagonist status. not sure this would have captured my attention even if i was a little child. illustrations were ok, nothing groundbreaking. it was a book though.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This version of "The Magic Brocade" (with some elements from "The Princess on the Glass Hill") was fine and had nice illustrations, but I think The Weaving of a Dream by Marilee Heyer was far more well done and remained true to the Chinese setting.

[Tiuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It didn’t take me long before I recognized the Chinese origin story ‘The Magic Brocade’ behind this. I always found that story haunting, with the mother crying tears of blood into her tapestry. Thankfully that did not happen in this version. Not my favorite story but still, the artwork was well done. Ruth Sanderson always does an amazing job.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divine illustrations from a crystal mountain to a wealthy hermit to a lifelike tapestry and earth fairies. I liked this story quite a bit. Just wish I understood more why the need for a rushed marriage at the end.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any other versions of this story, but I did like this one alright. The illustrations are nice, and more traditional in style. I enjoyed reading this, and would happily read this with kids.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very pretty book and a neat story! The author says it’s mainly retold from the Chinese story ‘the magic brocade’ with some elements from the Norwegian tale ‘princess on the glass hill’.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crystal Mountain by Ruth Sanderson – A beautifully illustrated adventure story that will dazzle little readers like it did for me as a girl! Happy Reading!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I LOVED this book.... magical and filled with traditional storytelling- it is perfect for the shelves of anyone wanting to have a children's book handy that will captivate a wide range of kids.

I loved the artwork, which was truly lovely- but I would have liked to see more of it, in truth- more of the story played out in the art. Even so, it was wonderful, and a pleasure to read.

One lovely fact, is that the heros- the young men- they are rescued by the young girl- who shows an enourmous amount of bravery and pure common sense sort of sensibillity... I love that!

A definate must-have for a child's bookshelf!

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story but I thought the pictures weren't that great. The ending was perfect though, "...explored the world, sang for beggars and kings alike, and wandered to their heart's content, as minstrels are wont to do."

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the story of a young boy who goes to retrieve his mother's tapestry. In his adventure he finds love and friendship. This is a good story for children who are transitioning from picture books to novels.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An author's note says that Sanderson has used elements from both a Chinese story and a Norwegian story for this tale, and set the gorgeous oil paintings in 15th century Europe. The illustrations resemble tapestries of the period.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art work was nice. I would like to see the story expanded upon and made into a young adult fiction book.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gorgeous retelling of a Chinese fairy tale in a European setting, where a woman's three sons set out to retrieve a beautiful tapestry that their mother made and the fairies had stolen to copy.

[Candi Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this tale! It combines elements from several folk-tales and I can see the similarities to the Princess on the Glass Hill. Beautiful artistry in the illustrations!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story is a standard fairy tale, but I love the illustrations.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combines Chinese and Norwegian folktales. Beautiful illustrations.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every fairy tale I have read by Ruth Sanderson is magical. Her illustrations are breathtaking! My boys love these as much as I do.