The Impossible Mountain

by David Soman

You are never too small for a big adventure.

Anna and her little brother Finn have lived their whole lives safe behind the stone wall of their village, never knowing what lay beyond. Until the day they peek over the edge and see the Mountain for the first time. Now, there's no stopping them. Not even the villagers who say it will be impossible.

The natural wonders of this epic journey are brought to breath-taking life by New York Times bestselling artist David Soman. Join Anna and Finn on a grand adventure where bravery, ingenuity, and grit will help them blaze a trail up the Impossible Mountain, and beyond their wildest dreams.

Genres: Picture Books, Adventure, Childrens, Nature, Inspirational, Environment, Growth Mindset

48 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2021

About the author

David Soman hails from a family of artists, and has been drawing since he could walk (over to the kitchen walls to draw on them). He is the New York Times bestselling co-creator of the Ladybug Girl series with his wife Jacky Davis, as well as author and illustrator of Three Bears in a Boat and The Monster Next Door. David, Jacky, their children, and a big furry dog live in New York’s Hudson Valley. When not working on picture books, shoveling snow, or chopping firewood, David is an instructor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Reviews

[Tatyana Naumova · Rating 4 out of 5]

А в какой момент истории про побег двух туповатых детей из дома перестал сопровождаться хтонью, а стал акварельной прогулочкой через лес?

[skcocnaH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE the illustrations. The ending was kinda anti climatic though.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful, the story is simple. Similar to the hero's journey, except the return is implied. I'm curious what the cardinal represents?

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Impossible Mountain is a charming and nostalgic read with a slight fairytale feel to it. It reminds me of the style of stories I read as a child, with small children going on big adventures, and overcoming huge obstacles…

Young Anna and her little brother Finn decide to embark on what most of the villagers think is an impossible venture—climbing to the top of the Impossible Mountain. They are warned of the dangers and ‘impossibilities’, but the brave and steadfast siblings are curious to see the world outside their walls and refuse to let anyone discourage them. They encounter wolves, snowstorms, cliffside trails, and even the Great and Terrible Bear. Will they conquer their obstacles and fears and reach the top? And if they do…, what will they see?

The pages of this hardback book are thick and sturdy, and the full-page illustrations are stunning! The pictures capture so much emotion and detail and held my attention throughout. And the story is full of adventure, tension, and wonderment.

With themes of determination, bravery, and cleverness, this imaginative tale is extra-special in my book!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review was not influenced.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Go have an adventure!

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the idea of the story was really good, but the details are pretty bad. Scaring away the wolves for example, and the townsfolk just letting the kids out.

[Susan Keister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. I wanted to like this more. The pictures were gorgeous, and I liked the spirit of adventure. The story itself was fractured and a confusing mix of daring and anti-climax resolve.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing. Let's say I'm encouraging my daughter to graduate from board books to picture books at the library. She's not having it, I love how hunkered down and conservative she is. So I read a picture book while she reads hers. She eventually comes over and I summarize the book. I like this book about leaving your safe grounds to explore the dangerous world, that's almost a perfect metaphor for moving from board to picture books. This book had beautiful pictures and a good story. You get to the top of the mountain and you can see the small area where you used to confine yourself to. I'm not sure if you can fend off wolves by getting on your brother's shoulders and blowing a trumpet but maybe. I mean you don't want to provoke anxiety but I think anxiety about wild animals is probably productive and good anxiety. I talk to her about anxiety that helps you to look both ways crossing the street, and free floating general anxiety which can be confused and misused.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE illustrations, holy cow. They totally immersed me in this story. I love the way the characters are illustrated too--the girl with her purple hair and eclectic outfit and her little brother. The message is good about having grit and vision to accomplish hard things--my adult brain kept chiming in being like "ope, they're in a snowstorm without coats--now these kids are dead. Why is there no grownup with them??" so you have to suspend your disbelief and not take it to literally so the message of perserverence can work it's magic instead.

[Brandon Dyer (Children's Librarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am hoping this becomes a Caldecott nominee or winner in 2023!

This breath-taking illustration (scenery) introduces the readers to a bother (Finn) and sister (Anna) who live in a town that is surrounded by a big wall. One day, Finn and Anna climb the wall and discover a gigantic mountain. They decide to leave the town and climb the mountain. Townsfolk warn the siblings about the dangers of leaving the town. Both of them tell the town that they are not afraid. Readers get swept away by the illustrations and tag along with Finn and Anna as they climb the mountain.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna and her little brother Finn have lived their whole lives safe behind the stone wall of their village, never knowing what lay beyond. Until the day they peek over the edge and see the Mountain for the first time. Now, there's no stopping them. Not even the villagers who say it will be impossible.

The natural wonders of this epic journey are brought to breath-taking life by New York Times bestselling artist David Soman. Join Anna and Finn on a grand adventure where bravery, ingenuity, and grit will help them blaze a trail up the Impossible Mountain, and beyond their wildest dreams.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anna and her brother Finn lived in a village surrounded by a great wall, but after climbing up and looking over the wall, they spotted a mountain, and thus started an epic adventure to climb to the top of the mountain. Many of the villagers said it couldn't be accomplished because of the known and unknown dangers. But Anna and her brother Finn set out to do the impossible. You never know what you can do until you try, and what awaits you when you do.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful art, choppy writing. (You can tell an artist wrote this, not a writer.)

Basic adventure story, but with a very sweet and supportive pair of siblings as the MCs (older sister and younger brother). And I did like the very last page, "The world was full of mountains, all of them waiting to be climbed."

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations accompany gentle text that tells the story of a young girl and her brother and their adventures to get to the top of a very tall mountain.

Best suited for one-on-one reading. Children will enjoy finding the cardinal in each picture.

[Mrs Heidrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have to admit that this one kind of snuck up on me! It's gorgeously illustrated and has a lovely message of perseverance and the importance of grasping all the many opportunities that we have. Don't make your world too small for fear of what might be out there!

[Alicia Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really beautiful illustrations. Asking children to find the cardinal on each page draws them in. A lovely story about wandering from home to do difficult things, seeing the small loveliness of your own section of the world, and returning home.

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

J at 4 years old really liked this one! B approved, so it’s a winner! Perfect book for littles to experience adventure and fuel their imaginative play. I can’t wait to hear J relive this when playing outside.

[Care · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Cute illustrations, fun obstacles in the way to the summit, good message about community, determination, and not judging others before you know them.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very prettily illustrated

[Jody Coran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story was beautifully written and illustrated. The hidden story beneath the words was also not missed, or interpreted by me either. I can't say enough how beautiful the illustrations were too.

[Norkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an adventure for siblings! They took a chance and went outside there village wall to find some amazing things!!

[Jarrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful images. An inspirational story about quieting the voices that say, “it can’t be done” and moving toward your goal. Great for kids and kids at heart

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5: this one feels like a modernized take an old European tale found tucked away on a grandparent’s bookshelf…in the best way.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really made me want to go hiking in the mountains and I'm sad I can't do that RIGHT NOW.

[readwithjesss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking artwork. This follows Anna and her little brother Finn as they journey through lush forests, flowing rivers and wintery caves to reach the top of the Impossible Mountain.

[Barbara Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the adventure of this book...doing the impossible. Beautiful illustrations!

[Natalie Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, underbaked storytelling.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟🌟. Beautiful story! Great illustrations but was expecting a much more insightful ending.

[Nathalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and simple story with beautiful illustrations. The illustrations are what really sold it for me.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, gorgeous illustrations!