Makayla loves greeting the mountain each morning, but when clouds hide it away, she starts noticing other beautiful, smaller treasures.

The mountain outside of Makayla’s window is her favorite part of their new home: “Hello, mountain!” she calls each morning. But one morning the mountain is gone, hidden behind gray clouds. When more gray days pass, Makayla worries that she’ll never see the mountain again. Trying to take their minds off the weather, Makayla and her mom set off on a walk where Makayla notices mushrooms sprouting from the ground, soft moss growing on the side of a tree and more ferns than she has ever seen before. Can these things be beautiful too — even if they’re not as big as a mountain?

This sweet and sensitive debut from author-illustrator Paula Champagne is a celebration of the natural world, and a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, wonder can be found in unexpected places.

Key Text Features

illustrations

Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1

With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2

With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3

With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1

Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.