Book excerpt: The Mountain Stands is about certainty in uncertain times. The story expresses our ability to connect with nature over time and seasons and we hope it helps inspire kids to connect to what nature can teach us. As things happen in our world that we can't control (especially now), the Mountain still stands. We (kids and Adults) are facing lots of unknowns, but there is a comfort and a sense of perspective that the Mountain gives us. Amy and I wrote this together on our trips back home from the mountains and it is based on the places and animals that we have seen with our kids while traveling to our national parks. At each park I drew in my sketch book what we saw. Birds, Fish, Mammals, Bugs. I took photographs of the textures I saw. Rocks, Trees, Leaves, Grasses and then I printed those textures on colored papers using a special printer called a Risograph. With my piles of papers and some old outdoor magazines I used collage to make the illustrations in the book. So each illustration is up-cycled from old magazines and catalogs and features fun one of a kind textures from nature. The book also features a how-to on how to make your own pictures using this technique at home.The book is written using repetitive words and phrases and allow children to participate in the reading experience immediately. Hopefully this will help your readers "read" and say those repetitive phrases with you. Guessing the ending words in the book with a consistent rhythm can help your young reader build solid foundational literacy skills. Our book was designed with kids and reading with kids in mind. It's big enough to see our vibrant full-color illustrations in your lap or as you read to a group but small enough to accommodate small hands. The Book is 8 inches tall and 10 inches wide and is 32 pages long. Full color on high quality uncoated paper. It is a beautiful object and an important story.