I absolutely love this book! My 4 year old son picked it out of the library at random. I believe he was lead to read it. Each time we have children friends who loose a loved one, we give them this book. It helps my children understand death in a very enlightened way.

Paul Goble's "Beyond the Ridge" is a beautiful, comforting, simple book for children of all ages who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
This book is taken from a Native American story about the death of a woman and her journey beyond the ridge into the realm of spirit. Voices call her, and animals guide her, and the familiar scenery nourishes her as she travels home from the mundane world into the land of her ancestors.
The beautiful illustrations, simple and direct language, and comforting nature of this story encourage us to regard death as a process of adventure into greater territory than our bodies can permit.
I keep copies of this book in paperback to give to friends who have experienced a loss (because I so frequently loaned my own hardback copy that I feared it would break down from overuse.) I replenish my stock by ordering a few copies at a time, and I keep them on my bookshelf to share with others when words fail me. Everyone who has received (or borrowed) this book from me has reported feeling consoled and uplifted - even as they faced the death of their loved one - by the beauty of this simple childrens' book. Adults often become childlike when confounded by grief, and the nature of this book is to approach the issue through simplicity and grace, so it works for all of us.
I never want to be without a copy of this book on hand.

I used this book to ease my young sons through the deaths of their maternal grandfather and paternal grandmothers about 10 years ago. I found that I was the one gaining great comfort! Unfortunately we are now going through another round of deaths. I ordered 5 copies and have given them to friends and relatives to help ease their pain.

Iktomi, the trickster of the lakota, is up to his old tricks. In his chance meeting with the prairie dogs, he demonstrates his untrustworthiness by making them up into a fine meal. However, Iktomi meets up with Coyote, equally clever and untrustworthy, and finds himself tricked! This is the sixth book of the Iktomi series by Paul Goble. The book is another masterpiece of artwork and story telling in the grand tradition of Paul Goble's award winning work. This book is a must buy for the school library, the storyteller, and parents who wish their children to read and look at a most delightful book. The best part of this beautiful artwork and story is that it tells a moral story, set in the old Indian Buffalo Days, that is as relevant today as it was back when. Highly recommened for ages 2 through 12, and of course, adults of any age. Dennis West

Iktomi, The trickster of the Lakota, is up to his old tricks. In his chance meeting with the Prairie Dogs, demonstrates his untrustworthiness by making them up into fine meal. However, Iktomi meets up with Coyote, equally clever and untrustworthy, and finds himself tricked. This is the sixth book of the Itktomi series by Paul Goble. The book is another masterpiece of artwork and storytelling in the grand tradition of Paul's Caldecott award winning work. This book is a must buy for the school library, the storyteller, and parents who wish their children to read and look at a most delightful book. THe Best part of this beautiful artwork and story is that it tells a moral story, set in the old Indian buffalo Days that is as relevant today, as it was back when. Highly recommended for ages 2 through 12, and of course, adults of any age. Dennis West Boca Raton FL.

IKtomi and The Coyote, by Paul Goble, new release by Orchard Books. IKTOMI, the trickster of the Lakota, is up to his old tricks. In his chance meeting with the Prairie Dogs, he demonstrates his untrustworthiness by making them up into a fine meal. However, IKTOMI meets up with Coyote, equally clever and untrustworthy, and finds himself tricked! This is the sixth book of the Itktomi series by Paul Goble. The book is another masterpiece of art work and story telling in the grand tradition of Paul Goble's award winning work. This book is a must buy for the school library, the storyteller, and parents who wish their children to read and look at a most delightful book. The best part of this beautiful story and artwork, is that it tells a moral story, set in the old Indian Buffalo days; that is as relevant today as it was back when. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for ages 2 through 12, and of course, adults of any age. Dennis West redfox@axxsys.net

I am a faithful listen of Don Imus' show "Imus In The Morning". One morning he was talking about this book and how much his son Wyatt loved it. He started telling the story, but just stopped short of the end. I was so intrigued I ordered one up!

The book, although for a child, teaches a valuable lesson about relationships and how strong their bonds can be. I don't have children, but think should be required reading for our youth. I'm 33 years old (at the time of this revies) and I practice some of the ideals revealed in this innocent children's book.

Illustrated by Mr. Goble's usual beautiful pictures, this is the dramatic story of the time that a group of plains Indian warriors fought against the invasion of the "iron horse", or steam train.

Another Native American tale I adore. The brillant rich drawings speak when the words do not. A story of two children who place their trust into a wolf who leads them back to their home and how the wolf is honored for doing so. It is still hopeful that someday we will capture that which has been lost to us. The love of the land and honoring the animals.

Children and adults will enjoy the colorful illustrations and tale of how the Native Americans acquired the horse. Lovely!

The trickster of the Lakota, IKTOMI is once again teaching young readers (and Old) a moral story without the sermon. The seventh book of the Iktomi series, this one is a masterpiece of visual illustrations that we have come to expect of Paul Goble's work. Iktomi runs afoul of a scoundrel that swindles Iktomi in a land deal swap for a worthless game/trick. Iktomi quickly breaks the rules of the game, of course, and loses his eyes. The trickster then manages to persuade the mouse and buffalo to donate an eye apiece to Iktomi. Therein ensues some hilarious escapades that will delight the young reader and bring a smile to the adult. My two clildren were laughing so hard at Iktomi's self-inflicted predicaments. The beautiful artwork, and clever tale makes a superb story that will be long remembered; as all Iktomi tales are meant to be... Highly recommended for ages 3 - 10, and of course adults of any age. A must have for the library storyteller.

An enchanting tale of wonder and love. It is a beautiful story combining the magic of folklore with the magic of alternate forms of communication. Children love it for the magical content. Adults will love it for the sensitive introduction to Native American myth and legend.

To all horse lovers I would really recommend this story to you. It is about a young girl who loves horses so much that she goes to live with them. The leader who is a giant horse who has beautiful hair and is painted even more beautifully accepts her. Then one day she is captured by her old tribe and is brought back to her parents. After a long while she grows very ill. To find out what happens you are going to have to read this story. It is very touching.

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses is about a young girl who struggles to find a friend in her tribe but finds herself to be very close with the wild horses that graze near her tribe. One day a thunderstorm comes and scares the wild horses off and she feels lost. The leader of the wild horses comes to her one night and asks if she wants to be one of them and she excitedly answers yes leaving her home and family behind her. Many children can relate to this book if they feel as though they have no one to confide in but there pets or different animals. Kids that are socially impaired would benefit from reading this book along with any child who has an interest in reading a good book.

Paul Goble transcends perfection. Any artist, or anyone who loves art, will want to look at this book again and again...

Simon & Schuster recommends the book for ages 5 to 8, but any child approaching or in his or her early teens would be enchanted by the simplicity of the artwork and the way it so powerfully conveys the story the words tell. Even adults will enjoy this poetic picture book.

My daughter and I just love this book. The illustrations are simply beautiful and the story is enchanting. This was one of the first books my daughter read by herself. We have read almost all of his wonderful books.