In this time of heightened anxiety and fear over mass shootings, hate speech, virus outbreaks, political unrest, and global warming, picture books can provide a much-needed respite. A well-written picture book can spark delight, curiosity, laughter, insight.

Today I’d like to highlight two books that exemplify the power of perseverance. These books remind us that we are never too old to reach our dreams and that if we put our mind (and body) to it, we can move mountains.

Rita Lorraine Hubbard’s book, The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read, introduces us to a woman who lived to be 121-years-old. Because Mary began her life as a slave it was forbidden for her to learn to read or write. When she was set “free” during her teenage years, long days of work and family obligations kept her dream of reading just out of reach. She spent most of her life being confused by signs and forms. She would make her “mark” in her Bible each time one of her children were born but continued to be foiled by her inability to read and write. When Mary was 114 years old, she was the only member of her family still alive. And when she was 116, she finally learned to read. Oge Mora’s layered collage illustrations capture the hardships of Mary’s life and her eventual triumph of learning to read. Hubbard covers a lot of history in this inspiring text making it best suited for students in 2nd grade and up.

In Nancy Churnin’s book, Manjhi Moves a Mountain, we meet Dashrath Manjhi, a native of India who lives on the poor side of a mountain. It is a forty-mile walk to the village on the other side where abundance prevails in the form of food, education, jobs, and health care. After his wife dies from lack of medical care access, Manjhi sets out to find a way to connect his village to the village of abundance. Using only a hammer and a chisel, Manjhi spends 22 years cutting a road 360 feet long, 30 feet high, and 25 feet wide to connect the two villages. Churnin’s lyrical text captures both Manjhi’s hope and his dedication. Here she describes his first day of digging,

“He hurried back to the top of the mountain. He positioned the chisel. He aimed. He swung the hammer.
Clink!
Powdered rock and tiny chips sprayed.
Over and over, Manjhi swung, until it was too dark to see.
Clink! Clank! Clunk!
His sweaty, throbbing fingers rubbed the rough rock. He felt a dent. It was small and bumpy, but it was there.
Two inches, three inches.
His shoulders ached, his head pounded. But his heart was lighter. He picked his way down the mountain and across the dirt path. He tumbled into bed.”

Churnin’s lyrical language is well paired with Danny Popovici’s somewhat comic-style illustrations depicting wide-eyed characters. The color palette of mostly muted reds, yellows, browns, and greens are reminiscent of 1970s children’s bible illustrations. Popovici has created expressive characters who move through a subdued landscape.

Extensive endnotes detail historical facts and provide a call-to-action to students. What mountain will they choose to move? An inspiring book for all ages. Kindergarten and up.