Manjhi Moves a Mountain

PreS-Gr 3--The author of The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game brings the story of Dashrath Manjhi to life. Manjhi (1934-2007) lived in a village near Bihar, India, that was virtually cut off from the rest of the world due to its location behind a large mountain. It was a 34 mile walk to the nearest village with running water and medical facilities. As a member of the low Shudra caste, Manjhi was not seen as deserving of equal access to these services, but, driven by a desire to make life better for his fellow neighbors, he searched out a secondhand chisel and hammer and began to take down the mountain--by hand! His quest would take him 22 years and earn him ridicule from those who felt it was a fool's errand. In the end, Manjhi created a road 360 feet long that cut the journey down to nine miles. Popovici's pen and watercolor illustrations capture this poignant quest beautifully. Popovici deftly employs colors as emotions to capture Manjhi's transformation into a legend. This story will serve as a beacon for children (and adults) looking to make a real difference in their own communities, even in the face of others' disbelief and doubt. Back matter also includes a way for readers to share their own experiences with the author and other readers. VERDICT A finely illustrated true story to encourage social emotional learning that belongs in most collections.--Colleen S. Banick, Westport Public Schools, CT

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

I don't review many picture books, so when I do, it's because I really love it. MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN is the true story of Dashrath Manjhi who spent twenty-two years carving a road through the mountain between two villages. Using nothing but a hammer and a chisel, he devoted his life to making medical care, clean water, and schools more accessible to his home village in India. Manjhi's story is relevant on so many levels. First, the text is accessible and engaging for young readers. Older children can easily read this story on their own. Second, the illustrations are simple yet really lovely, allowing readers a glimpse into a world and culture so different than their own and yet with the human needs and emotions we all share. Finally, in this time when diversity in children's literature is hot issue, this book perfectly fills that need. Manjhi did not live hundreds of years ago. He died only in 2007, so his story is a contemporary one. I think it is important that our children learn about people TODAY who are doing great things, who are changing the world, who are making a difference. MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN can be used to motivate children to think of ways they can make a difference in their own families and communities. At first, Manjhi was mocked by his people, but eventually they came to appreciate and revere him. This story can also give children courage to pursue their dreams without fear of what others think of them. This is a story that can be shared again and again, and promises to prompt many thoughtful and inspiring discussions in homes and classrooms across the nation.—Laurisa White Reyes