The Impossible Mountain, written and illustrated by David Soman. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2021. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The River thundered and 
poured past them, beautiful 
and frightening. 
They couldn't cross here, 
thought Anna, but it they 
followed along the bank ... "

Anna and her brother Finn are safe in their village. After all, they are surrounded by a high and very substantial wall. They have been told on many occasions that things beyond that wall are terrifying. Of course, none of the villagers know that to be true as they have never ventured beyond its protection. 

On the day that Anna and Finn climb a ladder to have a look at what lays outside the wall, they are astounded by an enormous Mountain they see there. The Mountain never leaves Anna's thoughts. She knows she has to climb it, and she will take Finn with her. The villagers give warnings about the River, the Cliffs, even the Great and Terrible Bear. 

Despite the concerns shared, Anna and Finn pack up and head off on an adventurous and sometimes harrowing quest to reach the top of the Mountain. With grit and determination, they face the obstacles they have been warned about; they plod on dealing with each in its time. There is a time when the two stop to wonder if they might not make it. 

"The Mountain Goat seemed to be 
standing on the cliff's face, impossible. 
But then Anna saw the trail, so thin
it looked like it was scratched into the 
Mountain's side. 
"This is the way, Finn!" she cried."

Of course, she is right. With help from the goat and then the Great and Terrible Bear, they accomplish what they set out to do ... only to find more mountains to climb! 

The settings throughout, created using watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil, are absolutely stunning. From the tiny details for the items the two carry with them to the wide vistas they encounter in the forest, at the River, into the apple orchard and at the base of the mountain, readers will want to stop in awe and take a careful look. Mostly, they will continue to move forward with Anna and Finn, and come back later for further observations. Astute readers are sure to note the bright red cardinal that accompanies them for every step of their journey. 

Beautiful!