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Children's Bookshelf!

OCTOBER 2026 

The Mountain that loved a Bird

Written by Alice McLerran and illustrated by Eric Carle

Published 1985

Learn more about the book, Alice, and Eric.

Watch and listen to The Mountain that loved a Bird. 

 

Below is an extract from the book:

"Who are you?" the mountain asked. "What is your name?"

 

"I am a bird," replied the other.

"My name is Joy, and I come from distant lands, where everything is green.

Every spring I fly high into the air,

looking for the best place to build my nest and raise my children.

As soon as I have rested I must continue my search."

 

"I have never seen anything like you before," said the mountain.

"Must you go on? Couldn't you just stay here?"

 

Joy shook her head.

"Birds are living things," she explained.

"We must have food and water.

Nothing grows here for me to eat;

there are no streams from which I could drink."

 

"If you cannot stay here, will you come back again some day?" asked the mountain.

 

Joy thought for a while.

"I fly long distances," she said, "and I have rested on many mountains.

No other mountain has ever cared whether I came or went,

and I should like to return to you.

But I could only do so in the spring before I build my nest,

and because you are so far from food and water I could only stay a few hours."

 

"I have never seen anything like you before," repeated the mountain.

"Even if it were only for a few hours, it would make me happy to see you again."

🕊️

This is such a gorgeous book that makes the heart sing!

It's about an unlikely friendship that forms between a barren mountain and a small bird named "Joy"

who is searching the land for a place to build her nest. 

The mountain never wants Joy to leave, always asking her to stay.

Every spring, she begins to drop a seed into the tiny cracks of the hard stone near the stream,

and slowly, each year, plants and trees begin to form. 

The bond between mountain and Joy continues to grow over time.

So much so that one day, she comes to stay.

 

The parable shows how being patient and caring can bring life, spirit, and long-lasting connection

even in the most unexpected places and between two very different souls.

 I really love Carle's vibrant illustrations that are so colourful and

are actually collages made from tissue paper!

You'll have to read the book to enjoy the touching ending.

💜Enjoy Every Moment!! 💜

#TheMountainThatLovedABird #Seed #Bond #Friendship

   🏔️🐦🌳