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Beyond the Ridge
At her death an elderly Plains Indian woman experiences the afterlife believed in by her people, while the surviving family members prepare her body according to their custom.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
2 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Paul Goble
58 books100 followersPaul Goble was an award winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has won both the Caldecott Medal and The Library of Congress' Children's Book of the Year Award.
He gave his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.
Goble, a native of England, studied at the Central School of Art in London. He became a United States citizen in 1984. Goble's life-long fascination with Native Americans of the plains began during his childhood when he became intrigued with their spirituality and culture.
His illustrations accurately depict Native American clothing, customs and surroundings in brilliant color and detail. Goble researched ancient stories and retold them for his young audiences in a manner sympathetic to Native American ways.
Goble lived with his wife in Rapid City, SD.
He gave his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.
Goble, a native of England, studied at the Central School of Art in London. He became a United States citizen in 1984. Goble's life-long fascination with Native Americans of the plains began during his childhood when he became intrigued with their spirituality and culture.
His illustrations accurately depict Native American clothing, customs and surroundings in brilliant color and detail. Goble researched ancient stories and retold them for his young audiences in a manner sympathetic to Native American ways.
Goble lived with his wife in Rapid City, SD.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 23, 2019
Покрай децата си чета много приказки, а покрай „Книжни Криле” – пиша и ревюта за доста от тях. Но има такива, които остават с мен за дълго и които се открояват ярко на фона на останалите. Такива са „Седем братя и една сестра“ и „Бизоновата жена“ на Пол Гобъл – автор, който с много почит и внимание преразказва и илюстрира традиционни легенди на северноамериканските индианци. Днес съм много благодарен, защото имах възможността да прочета на български още една от книгите на Пол Гобъл. Зад поетичното заглавие „Отвъд хребета” (изд. „Изток-Запад”) се крие приказка за всяка възраст, история за онова последно сбогом и всичко, което следва.Историята говори за смъртта, за загубата, за отвъдното, но и за естествения ред в природата, за новото начало, за надеждата, за вътрешния мир и вярата, че никой никога не си отива напълно. Няма значение дали ще подходите към сюжета и илюстрациите като към досег с културата на коренното население на Америка, или като към четиво с успокояваща, дори терапевтична сила – струва си да разлистите „Отвъд хребета”. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
April 27, 2013
Beyond the Ridge is definitely a different kind of children's book as it discusses a topic that is usually kept from children as adults are afraid that young children cannot handle the idea of death. This book is about a grandmother who is very old, ill and going to die shortly. However, the way that death is portrayed in this book is a wonderful way for children to approach the topic because instead of the idea being a dark and dreary one it is brought about it a very light and spiritual way.
The book discusses the old woman and how she is torn between following her mothers voice beyond the ridge and staying with her family who she can hear crying and begging her to stay with them on earth. However, the old woman knows her rightful place and goes to seek her mother and other loved ones who she has lost. Although Heaven is never specifically stated as the final destination, the idea of the ultimate place of happiness is brought about in this book. This is one topic that might be a little controversial in schools however since it is never specifically stated I think it could be used in a proper way.
My favorite part about this book is that death is more celebrated as a life well lived. The book teaches us to remember to that our loved ones spirits are always with us because spirits never die since they are never actually born. This means that our loved ones are with us even if their body has physically passed on. I would definitely recommend this book for any family going through the loss of a family member or friend. Paul Goble really did a wonderful job with this one.
The book discusses the old woman and how she is torn between following her mothers voice beyond the ridge and staying with her family who she can hear crying and begging her to stay with them on earth. However, the old woman knows her rightful place and goes to seek her mother and other loved ones who she has lost. Although Heaven is never specifically stated as the final destination, the idea of the ultimate place of happiness is brought about in this book. This is one topic that might be a little controversial in schools however since it is never specifically stated I think it could be used in a proper way.
My favorite part about this book is that death is more celebrated as a life well lived. The book teaches us to remember to that our loved ones spirits are always with us because spirits never die since they are never actually born. This means that our loved ones are with us even if their body has physically passed on. I would definitely recommend this book for any family going through the loss of a family member or friend. Paul Goble really did a wonderful job with this one.
November 29, 2024
How did some Native American tribes such as the Cheyenne and Souix explain death? What did they do when someone died? What was their view of the afterlife?
Paul Goble answers these questions in this beautiful and sensitively done little book from 1989. I think this was one of, if not the, shortest book he ever did. There is a long author's note explaining not only the book, but how he does his distinctive artwork, including why he never ads facial features.
The sources for the story and quotes from Native Americans are in the copyright page. They are in painfully small print, making it really difficult to see in a traditional book form.
Another problem I had with the book is that the dying woman's dogs look exactly like border collies. How in the heck did Native American tribes in the West in the 1800s get border collies? Yes, they were imported into America in the 1800s, but usually stayed on the East Coast. They didn't really spread West until the Native Americans had been eradicated or herded into reservations.
Paul Goble answers these questions in this beautiful and sensitively done little book from 1989. I think this was one of, if not the, shortest book he ever did. There is a long author's note explaining not only the book, but how he does his distinctive artwork, including why he never ads facial features.
The sources for the story and quotes from Native Americans are in the copyright page. They are in painfully small print, making it really difficult to see in a traditional book form.
Another problem I had with the book is that the dying woman's dogs look exactly like border collies. How in the heck did Native American tribes in the West in the 1800s get border collies? Yes, they were imported into America in the 1800s, but usually stayed on the East Coast. They didn't really spread West until the Native Americans had been eradicated or herded into reservations.
October 21, 2020
The author was British, moved to South Dakota, got adopted by a Native American chief, and proceeded to write and illustrate many children's books retelling Native American legends. This may be cultural appropriation, but the books are also beautifully illustrated and quite well written. This one's about death and the transition to the afterlife.
October 29, 2020
I just lost my Mom, who was also my best friend and my rock. While going through all of our things I came across this book that she had read and kept. Although reading it was difficult for me with her recent death, I'm so glad I did. The story gave me a bit of hope that she too has journeyed beyond the ridge. Be sure to have tissues ready when you read it and enjoy your life.
December 18, 2021
3.5 stars. Though I gobbled up Goble's heady illustrations (forgive me) I think the text was too dense and metaphysical for kiddos. Unless it is intended for adults, the story and overall message doesn't seem to be quite attuned to the audience. Beautiful and moving, but I doubt a child would grasp it.
October 3, 2023
3.5 stars
The critiques are valid here - Goble does not distinguish between tribes, he is telling stories that are not his own, and the accuracy of these tellings is questionable. This is one of his less bothersome titles, and the artwork here really is stellar. I also like that it does not flinch away from death, although it does make the promise of an afterlife, if that isn't your thing.
The critiques are valid here - Goble does not distinguish between tribes, he is telling stories that are not his own, and the accuracy of these tellings is questionable. This is one of his less bothersome titles, and the artwork here really is stellar. I also like that it does not flinch away from death, although it does make the promise of an afterlife, if that isn't your thing.
August 19, 2019
I love all of the detail in the book. And I love the dress she is wearing.
November 23, 2019
One of my absolutely favorite books! I've read it many times over and over. It's a great book!
January 10, 2020
This was a great book about life and death. It gave me insight into the Native American Culture and the way they view the afterlife.
April 17, 2021
4.8 stars
Superb. The illustrations are simply beautiful.
The plot concerns Plains Indians beliefs about
death and about what happens after death. It
doesn't specify a specific tribe just Plains
Indians. It does show buffaloes in the book.
I am absolutely amazed that this book seems
to be so little well known. And has such a low
number of ratings.
Superb. The illustrations are simply beautiful.
The plot concerns Plains Indians beliefs about
death and about what happens after death. It
doesn't specify a specific tribe just Plains
Indians. It does show buffaloes in the book.
I am absolutely amazed that this book seems
to be so little well known. And has such a low
number of ratings.
August 26, 2023
I ENJOY learning about Native Americans. Paul Goble, an adopted member of the Yakima and Sioux tribes, is such a wonderful resource. He is both the author and illustrator of this intriguing book.
November 12, 2023
Philosophy of Death
Read
February 14, 2024A sweet book dealing with death and the traditions of some Navajo tribes
October 17, 2016
The story is about a Native-American grandmother, who journeys "beyond the ridge" into the afterlife, leaving behind her loved ones.
Genre: Folktale
The book is very calming as are many aspects of the Native-American cultures. We often consider what it would be like to journey into the afterlife and this could be a reasonable explanation. Death can be morbid topic, but in some senses it can be fascinating. We don't generally subject children to readings involving death, but it is a natural part of life that is explained beautifully by Paul Goble. I can tell that this book was intended for a younger audience as the tone is very lighthearted. He explains death as a peaceful venture where the earth reclaims the body, while the spirit lives on pain free. In this story the family can find resolution, knowing that their grandmother is in a better place. The characters are represented well, and seem like a close, traditional family.
This is the 3rd Native-American book that I have read. All three of them so far present the reader with something amazing to look at! Culture itself is beautiful and this book does an excellent job giving the reader a visual. The pictures are placed appropriately, and they give you a good idea of what the character is having to go through to reach the afterlife.
In this story we don't get to see an outsider's perspective, we just see that of the Plains Indians. We seem to push the idea of Heaven as Americans, and I enjoyed seeing the cultural views on the afterlife with this particular group. The story shows them living in Tipis. The Author claims that the "Spirit World," is also referred to as the "Land of Many Tipis." I'm interested to know if that is the exact translation because it would be stereotypical to think that all Native-Americans lived in Tipis. It was difficult to interpret how the characters lived as the story focused primarily on the Grandmother heading into the afterlife. Although Paul Goble is not Native-American himself, he represents multiple cultures of the Native-Americans in other books. He represents them as diverse, and coming from a variety of backgrounds.
Genre: Folktale
The book is very calming as are many aspects of the Native-American cultures. We often consider what it would be like to journey into the afterlife and this could be a reasonable explanation. Death can be morbid topic, but in some senses it can be fascinating. We don't generally subject children to readings involving death, but it is a natural part of life that is explained beautifully by Paul Goble. I can tell that this book was intended for a younger audience as the tone is very lighthearted. He explains death as a peaceful venture where the earth reclaims the body, while the spirit lives on pain free. In this story the family can find resolution, knowing that their grandmother is in a better place. The characters are represented well, and seem like a close, traditional family.
This is the 3rd Native-American book that I have read. All three of them so far present the reader with something amazing to look at! Culture itself is beautiful and this book does an excellent job giving the reader a visual. The pictures are placed appropriately, and they give you a good idea of what the character is having to go through to reach the afterlife.
In this story we don't get to see an outsider's perspective, we just see that of the Plains Indians. We seem to push the idea of Heaven as Americans, and I enjoyed seeing the cultural views on the afterlife with this particular group. The story shows them living in Tipis. The Author claims that the "Spirit World," is also referred to as the "Land of Many Tipis." I'm interested to know if that is the exact translation because it would be stereotypical to think that all Native-Americans lived in Tipis. It was difficult to interpret how the characters lived as the story focused primarily on the Grandmother heading into the afterlife. Although Paul Goble is not Native-American himself, he represents multiple cultures of the Native-Americans in other books. He represents them as diverse, and coming from a variety of backgrounds.
February 20, 2017
This is a great title for all ages about life, death, grief and the world beyond. Told from a Native American perspective, this would also be a book to use in multicultural studies. It includes a note from the author explaining the illustrations and the Plains people where he took the idea for this story.
March 31, 2016
A note from the author: The Spirit World "will be like this world, they say, except that we shall perceive it as even more beautiful, and with a greater abundance of birds and animals. We shall live there without fatigue or sorrow or illness. ... The Crow is often a messenger of the spirits, ..."
This description of an afterlife is much more comforting than the thought of drifting around with the clouds. Here we have a book wholly dedicated to death and dying. It is sobering, but it may also be reassuring to a child. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about various beliefs about death and an afterlife. (The grandmother still has black hair; I would have expected at least some gray.)
"Death? There is no death; only a change of worlds."
"Anything that has a birth, must also have a death."
This description of an afterlife is much more comforting than the thought of drifting around with the clouds. Here we have a book wholly dedicated to death and dying. It is sobering, but it may also be reassuring to a child. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about various beliefs about death and an afterlife. (The grandmother still has black hair; I would have expected at least some gray.)
"Death? There is no death; only a change of worlds."
"Anything that has a birth, must also have a death."
April 21, 2016
"Anything that has a birth, must also have a death. The spirit is not born with a person, but is given at the time of birth. Therefore, because the spirit has no birth, it will never die."
This book was recommended to me as one that helps young folks deal more easily with death. The artwork is beautiful and the thoughts offered are comforting, if a bit disjointed in their presentation.
This book was recommended to me as one that helps young folks deal more easily with death. The artwork is beautiful and the thoughts offered are comforting, if a bit disjointed in their presentation.
December 16, 2014
4.5
The cover looked a bit bland for Goble, but the interior pictures and the story are anything but. This beautiful tale is possibly the best and most moving Goble I have encountered. It really touched my heart. A book for many rereads, I hope.
The cover looked a bit bland for Goble, but the interior pictures and the story are anything but. This beautiful tale is possibly the best and most moving Goble I have encountered. It really touched my heart. A book for many rereads, I hope.
October 8, 2011
Such beautiful art. A bare-bones melding of life-after-death beleifs. A simple story--a myth, really; in the right context you would think it was scripture. Death, loss, comfort, faith, prayer.
February 23, 2015
I used this book when I was a nanny to help 3 boys with the loss of their grandfather. I believe it was very helpful.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews