Mabel and the Mountain: A Story About Believing in Yourself

by Kim Hillyard, Kim Hillyard (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet Mabel, a small fly with Big Plans!

Mabel is determined to do the following:

1. Climb a mountain
2. Host a dinner party
3. Make friends with a shark

Mabel's friends aren't being very helpful, but Mabel knows the truth about Big Plans: Don't listen to those who say you cannot. Listen to those who say you can!

So, even though a mountain is very, very high and Mabel is very, very small, she knows she shouldn't give up. And even though it might have been easier to fly up a tree, Mabel knows that she needs to keep going and climb.

Mabel is the best little fly to show readers big and small that there is nothing more important than the power of confidence and believing in yourself!

WINNER of the 2020 Sainsbury's Children's Book Awards!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593751374
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	01/30/2024
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	29 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

After completing a degree in Drama at the University of Exeter, Kim Hillyard spent nine years working as a music journalist for various publications, including NME, Time Out, and the BBC. She has also worked as a drama and arts facilitator, delivering assemblies, storytelling, and workshops in schools, bookstores, and community spaces on everything from phonics to creative writing.

Editorial Reviews

"Featuring a protagonist who brims with grit and determination, Hillyard’s tale is affirming. Humor balances out all possible platitudes, and Mabel, the rotund little hero with a tiny rucksack and hat, is a delight. Readers can’t help but cheer her on." —Kirkus Reviews

"A first purchase for all libraries serving young children, this is an excellent story about belief and resilience." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2023-11-04
A roly-poly fly accomplishes a very large goal.

Mabel, a tiny speck who looks like a pea with wings, has an ambitious list of “BIG PLANS.” On this list are three important aspirations: “1. Climb a MOUNTAIN; 2. Host a dinner party; 3. Make friends with a shark.” Mabel’s skeptical friends scoff and tell her it can’t be done; after all, “flies do not climb. They fly!” But that just makes Mabel even more determined. Rendered in large black letters against a cheery yellow backdrop, the message shines bright: “LISTEN TO THOSE WHO SAY YOU CAN.” Mabel also pipes up with a confident “I can do it!” Then, after scaling less daunting climbs (a large nose, a wobbly plate of Jell-O), Mabel finds a worthy challenge—a tall, looming mountain. It’s a thorny journey; Mabel has doubts. She considers changing her goal to “Climb a TREE,” but she perseveres. In this original take on The Little Engine That Could, Mabel reaches the top! Featuring a protagonist who brims with grit and determination, Hillyard’s tale is affirming. Humor balances out all possible platitudes, and Mabel, the rotund little hero with a tiny rucksack and hat, is a delight. Readers can’t help but cheer her on.

Small but mighty. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews