Climbing Kansas Mountains (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

by George Shannon (Author), Thomas B. Allen (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
When Sam's father suggests that they "climb a Kansas mountain," skeptical Sam says, "Sure . . . and watch pigs fly," but he changes his mind after his father drives him to the grain elevators where they climb "as high as eight houses stacked like blocks." Sam thinks the land looks like their tablecloth, "but with ribbons of road instead of red," and his house seems to be "hiding under trees like a sneaky cat." With homespun imagery and a laconic style, Shannon's ( Dancing the Breeze ) text emphasizes Sam's pleasure in "sharing time" alone with his father: "just me--no brothers--in the big front seat." Allen's ( In Coal Country ; Going West ) pastel illustrations are among his best and are particularly well suited to the text: the green patchwork countryside fairly shimmers in the hazy sunlight, while the heat at the dusty, small-town intersection is nearly palpable. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-Both the story and the pictures carry a beautifully understated glow in this tale of a boy whose father takes him on an outing. Their trip together-to the grain elevator where the father works-is both a time for closeness ("Just me-no brothers-in the big front seat.") and a chance for the child to experience his surroundings in a fresh way. Shannon's writing style is simple yet graceful, with well-chosen details. The softly colored illustrations done in charcoal, pastel, and colored pencils have a textured look that works well with the nostalgic tone of the story. Allen's handling of color and light, his strategically designed compositions, and his imaginative sense of scale are all marks of his artistic skill. This appealing picture book evokes a spirit of wonder, peace, and expansiveness while also describing the love and security of being with a parent.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689807333
• ISBN-13: 978-0689807336
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,469,021 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mountains in Kansas?, June 21, 2000

By A Customer

Hey--Kansas isn't flat-there are many hills, and this book is an awesome read---and sooooooo funny. You don't have to be from Kansas to enjoy the midwest humor---everyone from Kansas doesn't not have a dog named Toto! You will also find little tidbits of history.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There IS No Place Like Home, August 13, 2001

By	"klwalk" (Manhattan, KS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Climbing Kansas Mountains (School & Library Binding)

A father and his son discover that Kansas does have mountains, and many other wonderful things, as they spend a Sunday afternoon bonding on the plains of Kansas. The charming story by George Shannon is beautifully illustrated by Thomas B. Allen. Gorgeous pastels of the wheat fields, grain elevators and sleepy main streets will be quickly recognizable to anyone from the midwest. The twist is - the words and illustrations will make you see your surroundings in a new way, just like the little boy in the book!