Jackie Morris. The Snow Leopard
Frances Lincoln $19.95  ISBN 978-1-84507-600-9  28 pg.
Reviewed by Lindsey, Age 13

High in the tallest mountains of the world lies the Mergich Realm, a sacred place of magic and mystery where pure and powerful beings, Mergichans, dwell. Guardian spirits, they tend their flocks of mountain sheep and ibex, and care for the sacred land. People enter the Mergich Realm only with their permission. They take the shape of an animal and this is the story of one such Mergichan.

Long before the time of technology and war, the Snow Leopard sang her beautiful song. The melody caused the stars to burn into life, the moon to shine its cold light on the frozen mountain and the soldiers looking for riches to never find the peaceful realm. But now the Snow Leopard is old and must find a replacement so that she can melt into the frigid night sky and sleep. The Child sleeps as well, listening to the tune of the Snow Leopard. Always listening…

The Himalayan Mountains are the perfect background for this beautiful, lyrical book. The simple words are complimented by the full-page watercolour paintings of the beauty of winter. The gentle clouds, the bronze stars in the sky, the wisdom in the eyes of the Snow Leopard and the innocence of the slumbering Child. The ghostly fable is perfect for little eyes who will relish the beautiful paintings and the mythic sentences of the tale but I enjoyed it very much myself. This book will spark the imaginations of younger ones and will bring back wonderful memories of great fantasies for seasoned readers.

I would give this book six stars if I could, but unfortunately I can only bestow five. So without further ado: I give The Snow Leopard five stars.