Awards

• Long-listed for Klaus Flugge Prize 2026 (UK)
• Short-listed for Illustrated Books Prize 2026 (UK)

Overview

Milo wants to climb The Mountain. He really does. But The Mountain is HUGE and Milo is scared. Can he ever reach the top? Yes, he can. With just a little help from his friends!

Full Product Details

9781788496698

Table of Contents

Reviews

Carroll’s début picturebook showcases his fresh and playful illustration style with no one page framed like the other. The illustrations are filled with texture and warmth, from the wooliness of Milo’s hat and jumper to the smiles of the eclectic cast of characters that give Milo strength in his time of need. Humour is also a throughline in the story, be on the lookout for Milo’s charming cat companion throughout – the ultimate cheerleader! In the story, Milo’s mountain is both physical and mental. Procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo’s hesitancy to just knuckle down and get climbing! … an endearing story about community and a reminder that we don’t have to face our biggest challenges on our own -- Liz Loughnane, childrensbooksireland.ie Carroll's debut is populated by cosy characters, autumnal scenes, and the warmth of camaraderie. Procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo's conundrum and cheer him on through his challenge -- Children's Books Ireland in the Irish Examiner procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo’s hesitancy as he learns that we don’t have to face our biggest challenges on our own. Carroll’s début picturebook showcases his fresh and playful illustration style, with eclectic characters and humour throughout -- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025 This debut picture book by Dublin author/illustrator Jamie Carroll is a clever look at procrastination and being brave. Milo dreams of climbing the mountain beside his house and even though he thinks about it all the time, he keeps finding excuses not to do it. But with the help of some of his friends and neighbours, he finally takes the first step. Children will love pouring over the detailed illustrations. A talent to watch out for -- Irish Independent Procrastinators will absolutely identify with Milo and everyone will appreciate this quirky demonstration of the power of friends and community. This is Jamie Carroll’s debut picture book and he has a wonderfully distinctive and confident style, each spread a different composition, telling the story with humour and cleverly controlled pace. There’s a tactile feel to the illustrations, both Milo and Mountain, and enough detail on each page to keep readers absorbed for hours -- Books for Keeps for anybody who’s struggling to climb their own mountain, read this book … I just loved it -- Waterford Librarian Tracy McEneaney even if it’s a children’s book, they still speak to you … gorgeous illustrations …. really, really good -- Waterford Librarian Tracy McEneaney on RTE Radio’s David McCullagh show Jamie Carroll’s delightful debut, Milo and the Mountain, demonstrates the importance of keeping going in the face of challenges -- Sunday Independent, Madeleine Keane

Carroll’s début picturebook showcases his fresh and playful illustration style with no one page framed like the other. The illustrations are filled with texture and warmth, from the wooliness of Milo’s hat and jumper to the smiles of the eclectic cast of characters that give Milo strength in his time of need. Humour is also a throughline in the story, be on the lookout for Milo’s charming cat companion throughout – the ultimate cheerleader! In the story, Milo’s mountain is both physical and mental. Procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo’s hesitancy to just knuckle down and get climbing! … an endearing story about community and a reminder that we don’t have to face our biggest challenges on our own. -- Liz Loughnane Carroll's debut is populated by cosy characters, autumnal scenes, and the warmth of camaraderie. Procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo's conundrum and cheer him on through his challenge. -- Children's Books Ireland procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo’s hesitancy as he learns that we don’t have to face our biggest challenges on our own. Carroll’s début picturebook showcases his fresh and playful illustration style, with eclectic characters and humour throughout -- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025 This debut picture book by Dublin author/illustrator Jamie Carroll is a clever look at procrastination and being brave. Milo dreams of climbing the mountain beside his house and even though he thinks about it all the time, he keeps finding excuses not to do it. But with the help of some of his friends and neighbours, he finally takes the first step. Children will love pouring over the detailed illustrations. A talent to watch out for -- Irish Independent Procrastinators will absolutely identify with Milo and everyone will appreciate this quirky demonstration of the power of friends and community. This is Jamie Carroll’s debut picture book and he has a wonderfully distinctive and confident style, each spread a different composition, telling the story with humour and cleverly controlled pace. There’s a tactile feel to the illustrations, both Milo and Mountain, and enough detail on each page to keep readers absorbed for hours -- Books for Keeps

Carroll’s début picturebook showcases his fresh and playful illustration style with no one page framed like the other. The illustrations are filled with texture and warmth, from the wooliness of Milo’s hat and jumper to the smiles of the eclectic cast of characters that give Milo strength in his time of need. Humour is also a throughline in the story, be on the lookout for Milo’s charming cat companion throughout – the ultimate cheerleader! In the story, Milo’s mountain is both physical and mental. Procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo’s hesitancy to just knuckle down and get climbing! … an endearing story about community and a reminder that we don’t have to face our biggest challenges on our own -- Liz Loughnane, childrensbooksireland.ie Carroll's debut is populated by cosy characters, autumnal scenes, and the warmth of camaraderie. Procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo's conundrum and cheer him on through his challenge -- Children's Books Ireland in the Irish Examiner procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo’s hesitancy as he learns that we don’t have to face our biggest challenges on our own. Carroll’s début picturebook showcases his fresh and playful illustration style, with eclectic characters and humour throughout -- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025 This debut picture book by Dublin author/illustrator Jamie Carroll is a clever look at procrastination and being brave. Milo dreams of climbing the mountain beside his house and even though he thinks about it all the time, he keeps finding excuses not to do it. But with the help of some of his friends and neighbours, he finally takes the first step. Children will love pouring over the detailed illustrations. A talent to watch out for -- Irish Independent Procrastinators will absolutely identify with Milo and everyone will appreciate this quirky demonstration of the power of friends and community. This is Jamie Carroll’s debut picture book and he has a wonderfully distinctive and confident style, each spread a different composition, telling the story with humour and cleverly controlled pace. There’s a tactile feel to the illustrations, both Milo and Mountain, and enough detail on each page to keep readers absorbed for hours -- Books for Keeps for anybody who’s struggling to climb their own mountain, read this book … I just loved it -- Waterford Librarian Tracy McEneaney even if it’s a children’s book, they still speak to you … gorgeous illustrations …. really, really good -- Waterford Librarian Tracy McEneaney on RTE Radio’s David McCullagh show Jamie Carroll’s delightful debut, Milo and the Mountain, demonstrates the importance of keeping going in the face of challenges -- Sunday Independent, Madeleine Keane The art style is bold yet not cold, there is a lovely nostalgic warmth to the illustrations and the colour palette used bolsters this and makes the whole easy on the eye. I also really like that there are fun little adds on a lot of the pages, especially the cat at the tap, this means you can explore each page with who you’re reading this to to get much more than just the story. But the story is very important, it lets children know that if they aren’t confident in starting a big task that they can ask for advice and help from friends and family. Lovely warm book with great illustrations and a cat! -- BigBeardedBookseller A fantastic book about friendship, challenges and hard work helping you achieve your dreams, and one that would be amazing in your PSHE lessons this term -- The Picture Book Professor

Carroll’s début picturebook showcases his fresh and playful illustration style with no one page framed like the other. The illustrations are filled with texture and warmth, from the wooliness of Milo’s hat and jumper to the smiles of the eclectic cast of characters that give Milo strength in his time of need. Humour is also a throughline in the story, be on the lookout for Milo’s charming cat companion throughout – the ultimate cheerleader! In the story, Milo’s mountain is both physical and mental. Procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo’s hesitancy to just knuckle down and get climbing! … an endearing story about community and a reminder that we don’t have to face our biggest challenges on our own -- Liz Loughnane, childrensbooksireland.ie Carroll's debut is populated by cosy characters, autumnal scenes, and the warmth of camaraderie. Procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo's conundrum and cheer him on through his challenge -- Children's Books Ireland in the Irish Examiner procrastinators everywhere will relate to Milo’s hesitancy as he learns that we don’t have to face our biggest challenges on our own. Carroll’s début picturebook showcases his fresh and playful illustration style, with eclectic characters and humour throughout -- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025 This debut picture book by Dublin author/illustrator Jamie Carroll is a clever look at procrastination and being brave. Milo dreams of climbing the mountain beside his house and even though he thinks about it all the time, he keeps finding excuses not to do it. But with the help of some of his friends and neighbours, he finally takes the first step. Children will love pouring over the detailed illustrations. A talent to watch out for -- Irish Independent Procrastinators will absolutely identify with Milo and everyone will appreciate this quirky demonstration of the power of friends and community. This is Jamie Carroll’s debut picture book and he has a wonderfully distinctive and confident style, each spread a different composition, telling the story with humour and cleverly controlled pace. There’s a tactile feel to the illustrations, both Milo and Mountain, and enough detail on each page to keep readers absorbed for hours -- Books for Keeps for anybody who’s struggling to climb their own mountain, read this book … I just loved it -- Waterford Librarian Tracy McEneaney

Author Information

Jamie Carroll is an author/illustrator from Dublin, this is his debut children’s book. Jamie spends his days working in the Irish animation industry and his nights dreaming up new ideas. 

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