Kim Hillyard freshens up the popular children’s literature theme of self-confidence in Mabel and the Mountain: A Story About Believing in Yourself (Penguin Workshop, $14.99, 9780593659021). Originally published in the U.K., where it won a Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award, Hillyard’s humorous debut stars a rotund fly named Mabel, who has made a list of three big, ambitious dreams: climbing a mountain, hosting a dinner party and befriending a shark.
Intrepid Mabel has her heart set on reaching the top of a real, snow-covered mountain—not a fly-sized peak. There’s no time to waste, Hillyard reminds readers: “As everyone knows, when you have BIG PLANS it’s important to get started right away.”
Mabel doesn’t get much encouragement from her friends. Her fellow flies, sporting knitted hats and handlebar mustaches sure to tickle kids’ funny bones, remind her that flies do not climb. But plucky Mabel forges ahead.
Young readers will enjoy cheering Mabel on as she slowly makes her way up the mountain, one teeny tiny step at a time. A great model for believing in herself, Mabel even comes up with a cheer to keep up her flagging spirits. At last, success: The little fly summits against a rainbow-filled sky.
With the first goal on her list checked off, Mabel returns home. As for her other goals? Well, a table nearby is set for a dinner party, where Mabel finds her determination has inspired her friends to launch their own big plans. The story ends with Mabel poised on a rock above the ocean, leaving readers to imagine just how she might make friends with one of the sharks swimming in the distance.
Mabel’s ultimate success is never in doubt, but what makes this book stand out from similarly themed stories is Hillyard’s humorous and appealing artwork featuring bold, bright colors, creative lettering and graphic elements. To show Mabel’s size, Hillyard places the fly next to a human hand along with the words, “Yes, she is small.” Along with the excellent use of white space, these playful choices make Mabel and the Mountain a perfect option for preschool or toddler storytime.
