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Big Sky Mountain
Welcome to Big Sky Mountain: a home for everyone!
Rosa has come from the city to live with Grandma Nan in the wilds of Big Sky Mountain. And what surprises are in store for her! Grandma Nan is not exactly an ordinary grandma, and Big Sky Mountain is like nowhere Rosa has dreamed about before. From canoeing down rapids to making friends with the local animals, life never stays still for long on Big Sky Mountain.
Rosa has come from the city to live with Grandma Nan in the wilds of Big Sky Mountain. And what surprises are in store for her! Grandma Nan is not exactly an ordinary grandma, and Big Sky Mountain is like nowhere Rosa has dreamed about before. From canoeing down rapids to making friends with the local animals, life never stays still for long on Big Sky Mountain.
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
4 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 1, 2022
Big Sky Mountain is the first in a new series by children’s author and illustrator Alex Milway. The book is about a young girl called Rosa who is flown to the countryside in the middle of nowhere to stay with her Grandma Nan in her wooden cabin, that she built herself, and is surrounded by mountains, a river, and lots of animals including a chatty Moose and a moody Owl.
The book is quite small in size and features lots of amazing illustrations. Rosa is a lovely young girl who has gone to stay with her Grandma Nan for reasons we don’t really get to know, except for one line about her father. I would have loved some backstory as to why she was there. The open countryside, the animals, and the lifestyle is a big shock to her, but she is determined to do well and be helpful.
The tale is a fun one with talking animals and parachuting Beavers. The story takes a few twists as Rosa and Nan set out to find the beavers and see why they are in the mountains and end up in the middle of something.
It is an interesting start to the series that will give the reader a wonderful tale of life in the mountains as well as have them giggling with or at the talking animals. My favourite happens to be Bear.
The book is quite small in size and features lots of amazing illustrations. Rosa is a lovely young girl who has gone to stay with her Grandma Nan for reasons we don’t really get to know, except for one line about her father. I would have loved some backstory as to why she was there. The open countryside, the animals, and the lifestyle is a big shock to her, but she is determined to do well and be helpful.
The tale is a fun one with talking animals and parachuting Beavers. The story takes a few twists as Rosa and Nan set out to find the beavers and see why they are in the mountains and end up in the middle of something.
It is an interesting start to the series that will give the reader a wonderful tale of life in the mountains as well as have them giggling with or at the talking animals. My favourite happens to be Bear.
March 17, 2022
A fun new adventure featuring animals by Alex Milway! I had so much fun reading this one!
So I was recently at my bookstore when I saw the Dutch edition of this book and I was just totally hyped! Because I just love Alex Milway’s books, his Hotel Flamingo series was just fantastic! As soon as I got home I ordered the books (both that were out) in English on Amazon (if only bookstores had more English/any English).
In this very first book we meet Rosa, a girl who, for mysterious reasons that we don’t know yet, travels to go live with her grandma. Now that doesn’t sound very adventurous right? Well, her grandma lives in the middle of nowhere. She lives in the wilds of Big Sky Mountain! The only way to get there? By a tiny plane. Rosa has to do her surname honor (Wild) because she is going to be having tons of adventures. I just adored the premise and I instantly took a liking to Rosa. The grandma however… while I do love a kick-ass grandma who doesn’t care she is a bit older and still goes on adventures… I just didn’t like how she welcomed Rosa and also how at times she acted like she didn’t believe her to be a Wild. And one time she remarked that she wasn’t too happy with Rosa staying.. Which hello, she sent you a letter. She gave a warning. If you don’t sent a letter back or at least give a sign of life, you shouldn’t be surprised that people are suddenly visiting. Thankfully, grandma turned out to be quite nice and I loved seeing Rosa and her get closer with each page of the book.
I also loved how eager Rosa is to learn new things and how she tries her best to be a Wild. She only been here a few days at the end of the book but she already is changing and I loved all she learned in those days.
I loved that the animals here all talk! Just like in Hotel Flamingo! We meet various fun animals over the course of this book, including a moose who keeps getting his head (antlers) stuck in the window frame. Oops! I have to say I am still not a fan of the bunny, and I think the beavers should just have talked things over first before doing things.
There is plenty of adventure happening because new animals are arriving and grandma and Rosa are going to find out who these newcomers are! Which, given they are in the wild, isn’t such an easy trip!
The illustrations are just fab! I love them!
All in all, I am so happy with this new series by Alex Milway. Humour, mud-throwing, family, adventure, and animals! I flew through this book and I would recommend it to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
So I was recently at my bookstore when I saw the Dutch edition of this book and I was just totally hyped! Because I just love Alex Milway’s books, his Hotel Flamingo series was just fantastic! As soon as I got home I ordered the books (both that were out) in English on Amazon (if only bookstores had more English/any English).
In this very first book we meet Rosa, a girl who, for mysterious reasons that we don’t know yet, travels to go live with her grandma. Now that doesn’t sound very adventurous right? Well, her grandma lives in the middle of nowhere. She lives in the wilds of Big Sky Mountain! The only way to get there? By a tiny plane. Rosa has to do her surname honor (Wild) because she is going to be having tons of adventures. I just adored the premise and I instantly took a liking to Rosa. The grandma however… while I do love a kick-ass grandma who doesn’t care she is a bit older and still goes on adventures… I just didn’t like how she welcomed Rosa and also how at times she acted like she didn’t believe her to be a Wild. And one time she remarked that she wasn’t too happy with Rosa staying.. Which hello, she sent you a letter. She gave a warning. If you don’t sent a letter back or at least give a sign of life, you shouldn’t be surprised that people are suddenly visiting. Thankfully, grandma turned out to be quite nice and I loved seeing Rosa and her get closer with each page of the book.
I also loved how eager Rosa is to learn new things and how she tries her best to be a Wild. She only been here a few days at the end of the book but she already is changing and I loved all she learned in those days.
I loved that the animals here all talk! Just like in Hotel Flamingo! We meet various fun animals over the course of this book, including a moose who keeps getting his head (antlers) stuck in the window frame. Oops! I have to say I am still not a fan of the bunny, and I think the beavers should just have talked things over first before doing things.
There is plenty of adventure happening because new animals are arriving and grandma and Rosa are going to find out who these newcomers are! Which, given they are in the wild, isn’t such an easy trip!
The illustrations are just fab! I love them!
All in all, I am so happy with this new series by Alex Milway. Humour, mud-throwing, family, adventure, and animals! I flew through this book and I would recommend it to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
November 1, 2022
Een lekker boek dacht ik eerst: aantrekkelijk vormgegeven, beetje maffe hoofdpersoon (oma Nan) en snelheid in het verhaal.
Hoe verder ik kwam in het boek, werden de personages - met name de dieren - steeds interessanter voor mij: allemaal hebben ze hun eigen karakter en vooral ook hun eigen rol in het verhaal. Hoe leuk en vooral leerzaam om dit in kaart te brengen met je klas.
Dus waarbij ik eerst dag dat het een lekker wegleesboek was, die ik het onderwijs aan raad om te tippen aan leerlingen in groep 4/5 om zelf te lezen, ontdekte ik op het laatst de moraal waardoor ik het boek absoluut op de voorleeslijst voor groep 4 wil zetten. Samen met het uitdiepen van alle personages, kan dit boek zeker weer bijdragen aan leesbegrip, leesplezier en literaire competentie. En daarna natuurlijk Hotel Flamingo in de spotlights.
Wat een leuke verrassing dit!
Explorerende dimensie
Hoe verder ik kwam in het boek, werden de personages - met name de dieren - steeds interessanter voor mij: allemaal hebben ze hun eigen karakter en vooral ook hun eigen rol in het verhaal. Hoe leuk en vooral leerzaam om dit in kaart te brengen met je klas.
Dus waarbij ik eerst dag dat het een lekker wegleesboek was, die ik het onderwijs aan raad om te tippen aan leerlingen in groep 4/5 om zelf te lezen, ontdekte ik op het laatst de moraal waardoor ik het boek absoluut op de voorleeslijst voor groep 4 wil zetten. Samen met het uitdiepen van alle personages, kan dit boek zeker weer bijdragen aan leesbegrip, leesplezier en literaire competentie. En daarna natuurlijk Hotel Flamingo in de spotlights.
Wat een leuke verrassing dit!
Explorerende dimensie
March 30, 2022
Well this was a pleasant surprise. Alex Milway found the perfect way to write a lighthearted, funny, fast-paced book about nature and all its diversity.
November 7, 2021
A delightful adventure story for lower primary students. Great messages about caring for the environment and getting along with those who are different to you. This would be a great lower primary read aloud or book club book for less able middle primary readers. I do hope there will be more stories featuring Rosa, Nan and the creatures of Big Sky Mountain.
April 9, 2022
Rosa has travelled a long way to meet a grandma she has never met. She sent a letter to say she was coming, to say that she had nowhere else to go.
Grandma Nan isn't anything like Rosa imagined. Where she lives is the complete opposite of what Rosa is used to in her old home in a big city. Grandma Nan's home is a self-built cabin of one room in the middle of the wilderness called Big Sky Mountain.
Rosa is a little scared at the HUGEness of everything. The trees, the mountains around them, the space everywhere and even the sky looks so much BIGGER than in the city. She wonders if Grandma Nan ever gets lonely with only a few visits a year from the pilot who brings her supplies.
It's not long before Rosa learns why Grandma Nan is never lonely. There is Pig the grumpy pygmy owl who is also a very good alarm. There is Albert the moose who is constantly getting his head stuck in their window and the local fish are chatterboxes.
Not everyone is happy though. Grandma Nan takes Rosa on an adventure, camping, canoeing, tramping and staring up at an endless black velvet blanket of stars. On their adventure they meet some animals with a problem. Can a girl from the city help solve it?
With illustrations in soft blue and grey hues on almost every page, Big Sky Mountain is an adventure story for young readers building their confidence with chapter books.
A young girl from the city is experiencing the wilderness and her own grandmother for the first time - a little scary, but eventually eye-opening and wonderful as her confidence grows. Talking animals help her connect with her new home and even problem solve when an upset arises.
This series is based on the author's own experiences with her own grandmother. The second adventure in this series is entitled The Forest Wolves.
Grandma Nan isn't anything like Rosa imagined. Where she lives is the complete opposite of what Rosa is used to in her old home in a big city. Grandma Nan's home is a self-built cabin of one room in the middle of the wilderness called Big Sky Mountain.
Rosa is a little scared at the HUGEness of everything. The trees, the mountains around them, the space everywhere and even the sky looks so much BIGGER than in the city. She wonders if Grandma Nan ever gets lonely with only a few visits a year from the pilot who brings her supplies.
It's not long before Rosa learns why Grandma Nan is never lonely. There is Pig the grumpy pygmy owl who is also a very good alarm. There is Albert the moose who is constantly getting his head stuck in their window and the local fish are chatterboxes.
Not everyone is happy though. Grandma Nan takes Rosa on an adventure, camping, canoeing, tramping and staring up at an endless black velvet blanket of stars. On their adventure they meet some animals with a problem. Can a girl from the city help solve it?
With illustrations in soft blue and grey hues on almost every page, Big Sky Mountain is an adventure story for young readers building their confidence with chapter books.
A young girl from the city is experiencing the wilderness and her own grandmother for the first time - a little scary, but eventually eye-opening and wonderful as her confidence grows. Talking animals help her connect with her new home and even problem solve when an upset arises.
This series is based on the author's own experiences with her own grandmother. The second adventure in this series is entitled The Forest Wolves.
January 26, 2022
This is a really lovely book for children to read and would make a great read aloud book for children age 7+
Rosa goes to live with Grandma Nan on Big Sky Mountain. To start with we don’t know what she has moved there. This is touched upon towards the end of the book in a subtle and gentle way. It doesn’t define Rosa as a character but it allows the reader to relate and understand. I like the way this was done.
There are lots of wonderful things on Big Sky Mountain and Rosa and Grandma Nan set off to find out who the new mystery arrivals are. Filled with adventure and life lessons this really is a lovely book.
I like the colour tones of the illustrations which were gentle well designed.
Rosa goes to live with Grandma Nan on Big Sky Mountain. To start with we don’t know what she has moved there. This is touched upon towards the end of the book in a subtle and gentle way. It doesn’t define Rosa as a character but it allows the reader to relate and understand. I like the way this was done.
There are lots of wonderful things on Big Sky Mountain and Rosa and Grandma Nan set off to find out who the new mystery arrivals are. Filled with adventure and life lessons this really is a lovely book.
I like the colour tones of the illustrations which were gentle well designed.
August 23, 2022
Middle grade. Nature. Talking forest animals.
Story: City born Rosa has never lived in the forest, and one day a plane drops her off in the middle of one to spend the summer with her Nan. The same plane drops off all their food and won't return for months.
Language: big font, lots of white space, black white and blue illustrations, near past, middle of forest unknown location with mountains. Would make a nice transition book from easy reader to chapter books.
Chatacters: Rosa is practical yet open to new experiences. Nan's last name is Wild and from her hair to her animal friends, she is.
Thoroughly enjoyed. Great start to a series of nature fiction. Looking forward to more.
Story: City born Rosa has never lived in the forest, and one day a plane drops her off in the middle of one to spend the summer with her Nan. The same plane drops off all their food and won't return for months.
Language: big font, lots of white space, black white and blue illustrations, near past, middle of forest unknown location with mountains. Would make a nice transition book from easy reader to chapter books.
Chatacters: Rosa is practical yet open to new experiences. Nan's last name is Wild and from her hair to her animal friends, she is.
Thoroughly enjoyed. Great start to a series of nature fiction. Looking forward to more.
October 21, 2021
We love Alex Milway in our house and after having read all the Hotel Flamingo books we were excited to read Big Sky Mountain together. Listening to my son bring the characters to life with individual voices for them all is an absolute joy so thank you Alex for that gift.
The story itself is of a young girl, Rosa, who travels to the mountain to live with her grandma. She's just settling in when two beavers arrive and start causing chaos. Rosa has to try to make them realise that there is room for everyone at Big Sky Mountain and better things can be achieved if every one works together.
The story itself is of a young girl, Rosa, who travels to the mountain to live with her grandma. She's just settling in when two beavers arrive and start causing chaos. Rosa has to try to make them realise that there is room for everyone at Big Sky Mountain and better things can be achieved if every one works together.
February 7, 2022
I received a gifted copy of ‘Big Sky Mountain’ by Alex Milway in return for my honest review. I will also be reviewing the next in the series which is due to be published in February.
This book follows Rosa as she moves in with her Grandma Nan, but this isn’t any ordinary place this is a cabin in Big Sky Mountain where there are no people around for miles.
Rosa spots someone parachuting onto the mountains and Grandma Nan insists they find out what or who it is.
This starts their amazing adventure, meeting other inhabitants of the area along their way.
When trouble brews, how will Rosa and Grandma Nan manage to solve the problem?
I loved reading this with my daughter as it had so much adventure, and there were many laughs along the way.
The book has a magical feel with all the animals they meet speaking as if they were humans, and all having their own personalities.
There were also a couple of important themes for kids, as the characters discover the need to think about others and being helpful to those in need.
I can’t wait to start reading Rosa and Grandma Nan’s next adventure with the Forest Wolves.
Overall, a magical and adventurous book which takes you on a journey around Big Sky Mountain.
This book follows Rosa as she moves in with her Grandma Nan, but this isn’t any ordinary place this is a cabin in Big Sky Mountain where there are no people around for miles.
Rosa spots someone parachuting onto the mountains and Grandma Nan insists they find out what or who it is.
This starts their amazing adventure, meeting other inhabitants of the area along their way.
When trouble brews, how will Rosa and Grandma Nan manage to solve the problem?
I loved reading this with my daughter as it had so much adventure, and there were many laughs along the way.
The book has a magical feel with all the animals they meet speaking as if they were humans, and all having their own personalities.
There were also a couple of important themes for kids, as the characters discover the need to think about others and being helpful to those in need.
I can’t wait to start reading Rosa and Grandma Nan’s next adventure with the Forest Wolves.
Overall, a magical and adventurous book which takes you on a journey around Big Sky Mountain.
March 18, 2022
Until now, Rosa has always lived in a city, but unfortunate circumstances mean that she has to move to Big Sky Mountain to live with her grandmother. At first she is nervous about the move and has doubts about this new life and her stern grandmother who doesn't seem to know her. But Rosa soon discovers the wonderful feeling of being free!
I don't blame Grandma Nan for wanting to live on Big Sky Mountain, it sounds like a fantastic place to live! Gold River, Jewel Lake, Eagle Heights and lots of friendly (and some not so friendly) talking animals!
I don't blame Grandma Nan for wanting to live on Big Sky Mountain, it sounds like a fantastic place to live! Gold River, Jewel Lake, Eagle Heights and lots of friendly (and some not so friendly) talking animals!
August 22, 2021
I adore everything Alex Milway writes! Big Sky Mountain is a wild adventure to a new place to live, new friends to make and new things to learn! Rosa is a gorgeous character and Grandma Nan is brilliantly wild. I loved the messages in this about how we all belong!
April 11, 2022
Wat een mooi, lief, leuk maar ook bijzonder verhaal. Op het eerste gezicht heel gewoon leuk vermakelijk, maar als je het goed leest heeft het zo'n mooie belangrijke boodschap. Daarom tip ik het ook zeker extra als voorleesboek! Mooi voor de boekenkring in de klas.
April 29, 2024
Voorgelezen aan groep 3. Ook leuk voor een groep 4. Vanaf groep 5 misschien leuker om z elf te lezen.
Elandeiland heeft een mooie balans tussen spannende en grappige stukken, wat er voor zorgt dat de kinderen maar al te graag willen weten wat er allemaal gebeurt op het toch wel vreemde eiland.
Elandeiland heeft een mooie balans tussen spannende en grappige stukken, wat er voor zorgt dat de kinderen maar al te graag willen weten wat er allemaal gebeurt op het toch wel vreemde eiland.
January 22, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book, it is great for children between the ages of 5 and 8, teaches a lot about the the differences that each creature makes to a place very easy to understand.
January 31, 2022
Lovely little story that teaches children about conservation and important life lessons ❤
August 24, 2022
Onderliggende boodschap!
January 18, 2023
It was quite good actually easy to read fantasy and adventure I loved it
May 3, 2023
Flamingo Hotel is still our favorite of Alex Milway, but Big Sky Mountain has the same feel and some awesome characters. It is a perfect read aloud chapter book for younger children.
June 29, 2023
A nice little adventure story with talking animals. I would recommend it to "outdoorsy" children.
August 14, 2023
megaleuk
June 19, 2024
Another good kids book. This is definitely more child friendly than other books I've read this year to the class. Simple but sweet story- who doesn't love a story about mischievous beavers lol!
August 7, 2024
Milway Mills #1
Big Sky Mountain #1
First in a series is quite engaging, I wasn't ready for the talking animals which well was strange but anyway, it was a fun yarn.
Big Sky Mountain #1
First in a series is quite engaging, I wasn't ready for the talking animals which well was strange but anyway, it was a fun yarn.
October 3, 2024
Very cute story. A little slow for my liking but it was packed with heart and love and adventure.i cannot wait to read the next installment
November 9, 2025
Sunnie rates this one 4 stars.
I’m pushing her to try some different genres in hope of igniting a dormant passion for reading. This book wasn’t it, but she said it was pretty good.
I’m pushing her to try some different genres in hope of igniting a dormant passion for reading. This book wasn’t it, but she said it was pretty good.
January 20, 2026
This book had me bursting into fits of laughter Excellent book 100 %
recommended
recommended
June 12, 2023
Dit boek was wel te doen. Ik vond hem wel leuk, maar erg eenvoudig. Je kon merken dat dit boek geschreven is voor wat jongere kinderen. De verhalen waren fantasierijk, want dieren kunnen natuurlijk niet tegen mensen praten en een oma die op een onbewoond eiland woont, zijn er bijna niet meer. Ik was er wel snel doorheen, omdat het dus zo eenvoudig geschreven was. Ook was de probleemstelling in het boek snel opgelost, waardoor het verhaal snel was afgelopen. Ik zou dit boek aanraden om te gebruiken in de middenbouw, als de kinderen simpele verhalen goed kunnen lezen. Ook zou je het boek kunnen introduceren tijdens de pauze en hem dan in de boekenkast doen voor de kinderen.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews