Mountain-Time Learns to Surf

Book excerpt: Mountain-Time, the alter ego of Bosley Prohaska, was born out of stories told to Aaron Prohaska's kids. As his kids aged, they requested the Mountain-Time stories be translated onto paper. These stories have entertained and educated his kids since 2006, and it is hoped that you will enjoy them as much as they have. Mountain-Time Learns to Surf takes our hero on a journey to the beach for a surf lesson. Along the way, he encounters the town of Icantduet which is tormented by the I Can't Gang. Mountain-Time makes friends with the locals of the town but their "I Can't" attitude starts to rub off on him. Mountain-Time starts to question his own abilities and almost gives up on his surfing quest. Luckily, the surf instructor is wise to the I Can't Gang and helps Mountain-Time discover that effort and practice can thwart the nasty I Can't Gang. Mountain-Time realizes that though each person of town feels they can't do things for various reasons, they all face the base challenge of simply thinking that the can't. Mountain-Time Country Dog sets off to share his new-found knowledge with his friends in the little town of Icantduet. The story simplifies the steps of overcoming such an attitude but the author challenges the adults and children reading the book to discuss the topic and explore the effects this type of attitude plays in real life in the Author's Notes section of the book. Overall, the book has lots of bright colors, silly images, and a fun protagonist that the whole family can love. Though the story has plenty of silly moments, there is an underlying message that any parent or guardian should be able to support.