Customer Reviews

Beyond the Ridge

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This book by Paul Goble teaches about the Native American view of what death is and how it effects us. It is a heartfelt book and one that everyone would do well to pick up and read, young and old. Death is something that none of us can avoid and a book that leaves you with a positive outlook on the inevitable should be applauded and revered!

Paul Goble's "Beyond the Ridge" is a beautiful, comforting, simple book for children of all ages who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
This book is taken from a Native American story about the death of a woman and her journey beyond the ridge into the realm of spirit. Voices call her, and animals guide her, and the familiar scenery nourishes her as she travels home from the mundane world into the land of her ancestors.
The beautiful illustrations, simple and direct language, and comforting nature of this story encourage us to regard death as a process of adventure into greater territory than our bodies can permit.
I keep copies of this book in paperback to give to friends who have experienced a loss (because I so frequently loaned my own hardback copy that I feared it would break down from overuse.) I replenish my stock by ordering a few copies at a time, and I keep them on my bookshelf to share with others when words fail me. Everyone who has received (or borrowed) this book from me has reported feeling consoled and uplifted - even as they faced the death of their loved one - by the beauty of this simple childrens' book. Adults often become childlike when confounded by grief, and the nature of this book is to approach the issue through simplicity and grace, so it works for all of us.
I never want to be without a copy of this book on hand.

I used this book to ease my young sons through the deaths of their maternal grandfather and paternal grandmothers about 10 years ago. I found that I was the one gaining great comfort! Unfortunately we are now going through another round of deaths. I ordered 5 copies and have given them to friends and relatives to help ease their pain.

What an incredible book! I don't know just how deep Goble's fascination with Native American culture goes, but his respect for their traditions is evident in this story. His understated but detailed illustrations capture the entire plains sky that give a large feel to the idea of the afterlife as he shares the traditions of death and mourning. It is truly a powerful read that will leave you in a spell.

I absolutely love this book! My 4 year old son picked it out of the library at random. I believe he was lead to read it. Each time we have children friends who loose a loved one, we give them this book. It helps my children understand death in a very enlightened way.

It is listed incorrectly as a hardcover when it's not. The book itself is wonderful.