Snow Leopard by Jackie Morris

The New York Times - Bruno Navasky

The book succeeds largely through vivid watercolor illustrations that meld ink-brush abstraction and subtle detail into a gorgeous fantasy. Morris, who has illustrated more than two dozen books, paints a dramatic portrait of the snow leopard and her environment; the big cat glides from flatness to depth across a landscape dressed in stark blue-whites and blue-blacks. With its focus on a severely endangered animal at a time of global warming and species eradication, The Snow Leopard sends a valuable message about the beauty and power of the natural world.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3- High in the Himalayas, Snow Leopard watches over a village in a remote valley. The animal is a Mergichan, a "pure and powerful being" that acts as a guardian spirit. After soldiers invade the village, she infiltrates their dreams with images that make them flee so peace can return. As the sacred cat ages, she chooses a young girl to learn her secrets. Eventually the Child completes her transformation into the next protecting Snow Leopard, and the old cat blends into the Milky Way. Lush watercolors of mountain landscapes fit well with the epic, mystical premise of the tale. However, striking illustrations of snow leopards and wintry panoramas don't provide a compelling enough reason for most libraries to add this odd tale to their collections.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Kirkus Reviews

Highlighted by close-ups of a magnificent snow leopard rendered in subtly blended watercolors, this mystical original tale will transport readers to its remote, otherworldly setting. "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." One such, a leopard who was once human but also "sang the stars to life," has been guarding a hidden valley where a child dreams and hears that song. When the old leopard's protective song weakens to the point that soldiers invade, she drives them off with nightmares, then carries the child up into the mountains to pass on both the song and the animal form. The dappled leopard, sometimes looking transparent around the edges, has a strongly spiritual presence but also reflects the hues and character of the rugged, snowy landscape she protects. It may all seem overdone to adults, but younger animal lovers and dreamy sorts will linger over both the art and the story. (Picture book. 7-9)

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