The Mirror and the Mountain: An Adventure in Presadia
#1 in Presadia Series
on Goodreads (70)
What’s inside...
In Luke Aylen's The Mirror and the Mountain, two 11-year-olds, Summer and Jonah, travel through a mirror to the magical kingdom of Presadia. Trapped in a war-torn realm, they embark on a quest to find the long-lost king, whose power can restore peace. Along their journey, they encounter the dwarf high lord, the elf queen, and a fire-breathing dragon, learning lessons about pride, greed, and the power of words. As they navigate challenges, including flying across the broken kingdom and climbing a misty mountain, they strive to fulfill their quest and restore peace to Presadia. The story explores whether Summer and Jonah will succeed and if they will ever return to their own world.
Discussion points
What would you do if you found yourself in a magical world like Jonah and Summer?
How did the challenges faced by the characters change them by the end of the story?
Which character did you relate to the most and why?
If you had a magical power like one of the characters in the book, what would it be and how would you use it?
What is the most important lesson you learned from the adventure in Presadia?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, let your child lead the conversation based on their favorite scenes or characters, fostering a deeper connection to the story.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative scenarios or endings, which enhances their creative thinking.
Use the book’s themes, like courage and friendship, as a bridge to discuss similar challenges and experiences in your child's life.
Connect the adventures of Jonah and Summer to real-life events or personal experiences to make the discussion more relatable and meaningful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonists in 'The Mirror and the Mountain' face numerous challenges and threats as they embark on their adventure. Despite their fears, they demonstrate bravery and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and challenges with courage, whether it’s trying out for a sports team, standing up for a friend, or tackling a difficult subject in school.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout their journey in Presadia, the characters must collaborate and rely on each other’s strengths to overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. This emphasis on teamwork underscores how combining efforts can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of collaborating with others in group projects at school, in sports teams, or during group activities at community centers.
Example Lesson: Resilience in overcoming failures
Explanation: The characters often encounter set-backs and must learn from their mistakes to succeed in their quest. The book showcases how resilience and persistence are crucial after facing failures.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that failure is a part of learning and that persistence can lead to success, whether it is in academics, personal projects, or relationships.
Example Lesson: The power of curiosity and learning
Explanation: The adventure is driven by the curiosity of the characters about the mysterious world of Presadia. Their learning journey helps them navigate through challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to be curious and passionate about learning new things, exploring subjects that fascinate them either in or out of school.
Example Lesson: Kindness and empathy toward others
Explanation: As the young adventurers interact with various characters from a different world, they show kindness and learn to understand perspectives other than their own.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s everyday interactions, teaching them to be empathetic and kind towards classmates and peers from diverse backgrounds.