For “Perfect Picture Book Friday” this week, a lovely new feature on Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog, I am reviewing a book with a difference.
Saturday Mountain through the Art Style of Paul Dore
Retold by Julie Somark Original Text: by Jinrak Kim
Ilustrator: Jonggyun Jang
Theme and topic: Originally a Polish Folk tale of a heroic adventure of a brave young boy to save his mother, and a Moral Lesson…. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Synopsis: A multicultural story of three sons who take turns to reach the top of a mountain that has special water at the base of a fountain known to bring the dead back to life. In a bid to bring their Mother back to life, it is the third and youngest son, after the older two have failed, that manages to reach the fountain. His extraordinary adventures are told in rhyming text and dramatic illustrations.
Why I like it: I love anything multicultural, and although the pictures are expressively dramatic, dark and mysterious, it has a very special message, of believing in ourselves, that with confidence and determination anything is possible. The first couple of pages gives brief details of the French illustrator Gustave Dore of the mid 19th century. In the back they set out pages specifically asking the reader to talk about the story and the Art work, questions set out asking about the Moral Lesson and a dictionary of Words used in the Story. An ideal book to use in the classroom to promote discussion not only about the book and story but the history of Poland, and could be used in Art courses and drama classes.
Resources: There is a CD in the back of this book telling the story in both Drama Version as well as Bedtime Version as well as a track of Questions and Answers.
– Gustave Dore -Wikipedia
-September21.com -PDF file
Writer and Dreamer at work 
That cover is gorgeous! Sounds like a great read too. Thanks Diane!
Thankyou Catherine, the pictures are mostly full page and very dark almost gothic style.
Love your entry Diane. Love the multicultural theme and the story line. Looks like a beautiful book and story.
Thankyou Pat, glad you liked it. I thought of this book when you mentioned “Perfect Picture Book Friday”. It does have a great message. I hope to bring more books from the “Art Classic Stories” series.
Seems like multicultural stories are “in”. I have an idea for one for Picture Book Idea Month.
Thanks for this entry. I may do it next week and it helps going around seeing everyone’s book and blog post on it.
Yes Seems to be the way clarbojahn, love to hear of your idea.
Your welcome, I hope you join us next week. Lovely to see you here. Do pop back and take a look around.
I love books that come with CDs too – a way to make the story come alive. Looks beautiful too!
Thankyou Julie, glad you liked the book. Yes I think they make a great companion with most books especially for children. Thankyou for dropping by and please come again.
Wow, Diane! This looks great. I love retellings of classic folk tales, and this one seems like it could engender lots of great discussion and learning. I want to add it to the Just Right Books tab, but you didn’t list appropriate ages – I’m guessing from the description at least 4-8, maybe 5 and up? If you could let me know so I can get it on the list that would be great! Thanks for joining in the fun!
Sorry for that Susanna, it didn’t mention an age group but I would say definately 5 and up, the dark pictures of snakes and ghosts and the topic could render it a little on the scary side for younger. But yes the book itself is set up for lots of discussion in regard to history, folklore, drama, and the arts. as well as what I have already mentioned.
Thanks for your comment Susanna.
Sounds like a lovely story!
BTW, have you thought about adding RSS to your site (and possibly Networked Blogs)? That way people would be able to follow you–I know most don’t like subscribing by email 😦
Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!
Hugs,
Rach
Thankyou Rachael for commenting. Nice to see you here.
Yes I have been looking at that. Not sure how to go about it, but will try and work it out.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
(Hugs)
How cool that there are teaching/learning resources right there in the book! And I, too, love books that come with a CD.
Thankyou Beth! Yes it’s very geared for discussion groups. I actually bought this awhile ago. Will look for more on this type of book.
That book looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Your welcome coleen, glad you liked it.