Move that Mountain

by Kate Temple, Jol Temple, Terri Rose Baynton (Illustrator)

A whale is stranded on the beach, but the tiny puffins are far too small to help. Or are they?

Move that Mountain celebrates the power of teamwork, cooperation, and persistence; like Room on Our Rock, it has one story that can be read two different ways.

When read from left to right, the problem seems much too big to be solved by the very small puffins. But when the book is turned around and read from right to left, the puffins realize there is no obstacle that can't be moved if they all work together.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2021

About the author

Hello to you! We are Kate and Jol Temple and we write silly books for kids! Some of them love to rhyme and others do not at all but all of them have pictures, because pictures are cool and anyone who says they're not is a two headed yeti. We live in Sydney with our human sons and a dog that thinks it's a raccoon.

We love to visit schools. We talk about and read picture books to little kids preschool through to junior primary. We also love to talk to bigger kids about our chapter books and what it's like being a writer. For more info about our school visits contact us and we'll be in touch.

Reviews

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very excited to see that the authors of the brilliant Room On Our Rock had created a similar book. However, I feel it is too similar, so it doesn't spark the same sense of wonder. Still, a good message, with beautiful illustrations and a worthwhile addition to our shelves.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the same tagline as their earlier title, ROOM ON THE ROCK, (THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY), the simple REVERSO poetry text appears to confirm the visual and common sense reality that even the most caring and committed puffins will not be able to rescue a beached whale...except. The REVERSO form is triggered on the final page with the line "Read it again from the back to the start."

Clinging to the hope that directive provides, readers can proceed from a melancholy ending to a marvelous celebration of the powerful impact of cooperation and persistence. As with the original ROOM ON THE ROCK, what we expect, what we believe, and what we are willing to work for can reshape the reality in which we live- together.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meant to be read front to back, then back to front. But before knowing it was supposed to be read in reverse, it had me saddened at the state of the world. Eager to read it back to front for a more hopeful story, it just didn't read smoothly. Unsettling is perhaps the best word I can use for how it left me feeling. The illustrations, though, are beautiful-watercolor puffins and orcas and seaside landscape in soothing shades of blue, green and gray.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

When there is a beached whale, the puffins believe that it is too difficult to move the whale but with a shift in perspective and teamwork, (accomplished by reading the book from back to front), anything can be done. Unique picture book to read aloud and discuss the change in perspective.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful book by Kate & Jol. I love the concept of their books (read two ways - two different stories) great for all ages with beautiful illustrations.

[Stacey Mulholland]

I got it because of the puffins but clever bit about how to read the story.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, and clever idea with the reading front to back and then back to front, to convey the message that with team work and self-belief you can overcome obstacles.

[Dactylaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ fan du concept

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, but Room On Our Rock was better.

[K Leone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I see the gimmick but because there are so few words per page, it has been making it easy to lose our train of thoughts. In the end, it turned out to be a confusing book.

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was disappointed when read it through, nit then got to the twist. the surprise to read it backwards. Yeah! Happy ending!