Trouble on Thunder Mountain

by Russell Hoban, Quentin Blake

When Megafright International flattens their beautiful mountain to put up a hitech plastic theme park, the O'Saurus family uses faith and lots of MonstaGloo to put things right.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Nature

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Russell Conwell Hoban was an American expatriate writer. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London, England, from 1969 until his death. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preferred the first half to the second in terms of storytelling but the narrative was written throughout. I think, perhaps, Blake's illustrations do much to carry the story though in this one. His O'saurus family, happy humans on the mountain at the end and animals all entertaining the humans are rather splendid.
The story itself, at its deeper level, may go over the heads of the very young. The idea that companies buy land and reconstruct a fake resemblance of what was never needed to be there in the first place is an interesting message but I think that because Hoban doesn't force the message then a child reader will take it at whatever level they are ready for.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plans to replace a mountain with a plastic copy don't go according to plan.

The story and illustrations were OK.

Reading time around twenty minutes

[Tamara Zann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ingenious.

[Wendy Meyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I love this book! Blakes illustrations make it, but it’s a great story!

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the verve and charm of Quentin Blake's illustrations and Hoban's trademark wild leaps of storytelling this was not my favorite effort from this team. Somehow it didn't quite jell for me.

[Kylie Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story line and moral of the story very much. The dinosaurs and other animals who have been kicked out of their home because a human and his robots want to build over it is something that you can explain to children. These issues do exist in the real world and kids could make connections to examples like deforestation of land in the woods to create housing. You could show your children the effects of this work and connect it back to the story.

My only recommendation would be that the illustrations be made more clear because sometimes, because of the grammar used within the text, the story gets a little confusing. Then, when directing the children's attention to the illustrations, some still remain confused because some of the pictures aren't. Other than that it is a great story.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Quentin Blake's illustrations, which is why I was drawn to this book (punny, eh?). The story is alright - a family of dinosaurs are relocated by a developer who buys their mountain and reconstructs it in plastic. The dinosaurs and their friendly neighbors take the pieces of mountain and, behind a big curtain, rebuild it. The message seems to be that nobody can take away from you what's really yours AND that neighbors working together can rebuild something great.

It's a fun book!

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big corporation has taken over Thunder Mountain. They plan to flatten it build a plastic mountain. (Mr. Flatbrain believes the trees, dirt and animals are too much for people.) The inhabitants are relocated to the dump. With the help of friends the O'Saurus family saves the mountain and introduces nature to the people.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much like a bad sitcom episode.

[Carfig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this for Blake's illustrations. Odd but interesting story about a dino family who is moved off their mountain but manages to get it back.