Beyond the Great Mountain
Ed Young
(Reviewer - Rev. Marie D. Jones)
2005 Chronicle Books
ISBN: 0811843432

A Visual Poem About China. A beautiful & unique book about a mystical country, written as a visual poem that is a feast for the eye & the spirit.

Associate Reviewer Rev. Marie Jones writes:

Beyond the Great Mountain" is a stunning book that combines spare prose with gorgeous rice-paper paintings, presented in vertically tiered pages. Both a tribute to a country's ancient history, & a lush portrait of graceful artistic style, this book is a treasure for kids & adults who want more out of a children's book than just cute characters & silly rhymes. In fact, this book's emphasis on the wisdom & communicative power of ancient Chinese symbolism is not the usual kiddie book subject matter by any stretch of the imagination, which makes it stand out & above most of what is on the market.

Author Ed Young was born & raised in China & has illustrated over 80 children's books. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Caldecott Medal & two Caldecott Honors, & it is easy to see why because his artistry is absolutely breathtaking. His paper-collage illustrations & his use of Chinese symbols & characters convey the majesty & wonder of a country that few of us have seen & fewer still will ever understand.

Young's poetic tribute speaks of a land of magic, mysticism & depth, & combined with the unusual format of the book itself, creates a feeling that will literally transport the reader into another world & another time.

Western children will be enthralled by the art & the powerful & ancient Chinese symbols, as will parents who enjoy books that educate & inspire even as they entertain.

Beyond the Great Mountain will make a wonderful coffee-table book, sure to enchant adults even as it transports children on a journey of words & art, to a strange & wondrous land far, far away.

More books illustrated by Ed Young:
Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China
Seven Blind Mice
I Wish I Were a Butterfly & many more!
(10/23/05)

Rev. Marie D. Jones
2005©Marie D. Jones
A RebeccasReads.Com Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
Marie Jones is a New Thought minister, author of Looking For God In All The Wrong Places & a widely published writer of inspirational essays, gift books, short stories & magazine articles. She is also a screenwriter, & has produced a children's storybook video series for Gigglebug Farms Productions. she holds a Masters Degree in Metaphysical Studies & is a licensed pastoral counsellor.