Book Title: Mabel and the Mountain

Author/Illustrator: Kim Hillyard

Publisher: Ladybird Books

Publication Date: July 2020

Most Suitable for: EYFS & KS1

Reviewer: Jo Littlewood

Mabel and the Mountain tells the story of a tiny fly with BIG plans and a heart-warming ending! Mabel writes a list of 3 amazing things she wants to achieve and all her friends rubbish her ideas. Mabel is undeterred and off she goes to find a mountain worthy of being conquered. But as she goes along and meets characters who are faster, stronger and bigger she begins to lose faith in herself. Does she need to change her big plans? Or can she keep going?

This is a wonderful story about believing in yourself, especially when it seems like others do not. It also teaches children that they can push themselves to do something a bit more challenging, even if sometimes those challenges seem a little too hard. Mabel’s journey shows that sometimes we can become disheartened, but persevering can pay off in the end, and might even inspire others.

I loved the illustrations and bold text in this book. They quickly catch your eye and draw readers in. I particularly liked how each of the flies was completely different and how them being inspired helped Mabel achieve her second big plan!

This book would be great to use right across the primary age group to support teaching about believing in yourself, having confidence in your abilities and persevering when things are difficult. It might be a picture book but the message is clear and concise and I would recommend using it in a whole school assembly when focussing on resilience.

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Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to our Review Panel member for reviewing it.

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