Ohno and the Big Hill

Everyone in Yonder Creek has heard about the amazing view from the top of Big Hill. You can see the creek, the library, Friendship Field-even the friends' homes far below!

So when Ready announces, "Let's climb Big Hill! I'm ready!" Ohno, Pal, Ready, Figure, and Moxie pack their backpacks, grab their water and snacks, and head for the trail.

But standing at the bottom and looking all the way up, Ohno has just one thing to say...

"Oh no..."

At first, the climb is easy. Then the trail gets steeper. And steeper. And STEEPER. When Ohno looks toward the distant lookout, the rest of the hill suddenly feels much too big.

That's when Pal has an idea.

Don't climb the whole hill. Just make it to the next pine tree.

Then the next rock.

Then the crooked stump.

One little piece at a time.

Before long, Ohno discovers he isn't the only one who needs a little encouragement. Even always-ready Ready gets tired, and Figure starts calculating just how much hill is still left to climb. Soon the friends are helping one another choose the next small goal, take a rest, drink some water, and keep going together.

Tree by tree, rock by rock, bend by bend, something surprising happens.

Those little steps begin to add up to one BIG adventure.

Ohno and the Big Hill is a warm, funny Yonder Creek story about perseverance, friendship, encouragement, and learning how to tackle something that feels overwhelming. Young readers will discover that they don't have to accomplish everything all at once-and that resting along the way doesn't mean giving up.

With colorful illustrations, familiar Yonder Creek friends, gentle humor, a Can You Find It? activity, and an illustrated adventure map, this story gives children a simple lesson they can carry into their own big challenges:

Big things can feel TOO big. So start small. One step. Then one more.

Because sometimes...

little steps can take you a LONG way.