Toy Mountain

Description

Sam is tired of his toys. Why would he want his Grandma's old trainset and teddy when there's a toy factory high up in the clouds that makes rumbly red toys, grumbly green toys and so much more? In this important story about reducing waste and taking responsibility for the environment, Sam is about to find out. Toy Mountain is a quirky story about 5-year-old Sam's chance to become a toy tester for the Tiny Hands Toy factory. After Sam signs up for his exciting new task, he quickly accumulates a pile of plastic, clunky toys, discarding the well-loved toys handed down to him from his Grandma. But one by one and plonk! by plonk!, his shiny new toys start to break. Soon enough, Sam has a mountain of broken toys that just won't stop growing! This colourful and whimsically illustrated story highlights the waste that results from 'consumer culture', and the value of looking after our belongings. Inspired by the author's childhood of hand-me-down toys, it empowers children to take sustainability into their own hands through their toy purchases. This is a vitally important message in a world where we generate 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic each year, 79% of which goes into landfill. Children and adults alike will find themselves cheering Sam along as he rescues his treasured old toys from being lost under a growing mound of broken plastic, and realises why they're so special after all.

Stef Gemmill is a children's author and former technical writer, teacher, and freelance music journalist. She won the children's category of the International Rubery Book Awards with her picture book A Home For Luna in 2020. Katharine Hall is an illustrator who tells stories that translate across language, specialising in ink work and digital design. Her lively, happy-go-lucky style is inspired by a few simple loves; intricate details, fluffy cats, funny stories, bright colours, and nature.

Toy Mountain is a really special message picture book from EK Books. Written by Stef Gemmill and Katharine Hall, this book celebrates the little things in life. The special connection between generations and the appreciation of the things - in this case toys. It's really a celebration of those special moments and those special things that bring us closer together as people. A really beautifully told story with the moral of realisation of what is important and connection. * NZ Booklovers * "These pages show a kid's dream come true in a fun read, which brings along an easy to understand, and yet, not often seen message." The illustrations are well done and give young listeners something to look at time and again, especially as the toy pile grows and grows. The text is easy to read and so positioned to make this a good read-aloud as well. It fits the intended age group nicely." * Bookworm for Kids * "Explores consumerism, greed and learning to be happy with what you have. It's a great lesson for kids, who often want more, more, more, or want what everyone else has." * Kids' Book Review * "With vibrant colours on every page, this book is most suited to the very young age range. Those with curiosity about where things come from, and excitement about how great new toys can be. The many uses of onomatopoeia describing the sounds of the toys will make reading this story aloud a fun experience for all": * Reading Time * "This is a funny book with a serious but subtle message about 'consumer culture' and the value of looking after our belongings. This is a message we all need to hear in a world where we generate 6.3 billions tonnes of plastic each year" * Literacy, Families and Learning * "A sweet story, with fun detailed illustrations that shows that getting all the latest and greatest isn't always the greatest!. It is a good way to teach young children about consumerism" * School Days Magazine * "This story can help us consider big themes about consumerism and sustainability but it also reminds us of the loveliness of a few familiar items that we have had handed down and shared in the family home." * Momoe Picture Books (via Instragram) * "Thank you @ekbooksforkids for a good reminder to little kids and big kids (like us) about continuing to play a part to improve the world around us with the right attitude and with things that we can do". * Momoe Picture Books * "This story is about seeing the value in what you already have and introduces the idea that we can think critically about overconsumption A good story for encouraging conversations about sustainability" * The Space Magazine *