Himalaya

by Tenzing Norbu Lama

In a remote village, high in the Himalayas, Tsering waits impatiently for the return of the salt caravan that his father led into the central valleys of Nepal. But when the yaks finally appear in a cloud of dust, Tsering can scarcely believe his eyes. Draped across one of the animals is the lifeless body of his father. Tsering's grandfather, Tinle, blames Karma, his son's best friend for the death. "You want to be the new chief. You killed my son on purpose!" Even though Tsering is too young to succeed his father as chief, his grandfather refuses to let Karma take over.

When Karma embarks on the next caravan ahead of the day decreed by the wise lamas, Tinle is furious. He will lead the village elders on another caravan himself with the help of his young grandson. At the last minute they are joined by Tinle's remaining son, the Buddhist monk, Norbu.

This story tells how the larger than life Tinle battles age, the elements and his own terrible temper to help his people and train his grandson to be the new chief of the Dolpopo.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 26, 2002

About the author

Tenzing Norbu Lama grew up in a monastery where he studied painting and prepared to be a lama. He now lives in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, but he spends three months of every year in Dolpo. He has 4 children.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 for the text
4 (or 5) for the art

The text doesn't flow smoothly, and there should have been more about daily life in the little village. This would have benefitted from more editorial input. Or perhaps it's a translation issue? Or is it another example of a screenplay that didn't transfer well into book form?

But I love the art!! Each page is worth studying. The style and color palette emphasize that this story takes place in another culture (and another time?).

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early reader book about a small village in the Himalayas, this comes with just some of the most gorgeous illustrations from Norbu. They were easy to get lost in. The story itself had a surprisingly big cast for such a short book, and didn’t always do a great job introducing them. The story also felt a bit disjointed at times, no smooth flow. Maybe I was just overtired today, but I felt like if I was getting confused, an early reader would definitely have some trouble.

However, the plot was interesting, as were the dynamics among the villages, especially when it came to wisdom, power, and leadership.

My star rating is an average between the 3 star story and 5 star art.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hermosa estética y hermoso relato.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

(First read 5/06/2012) Visually beautiful book—even front and back inside covers display Hindu or Nepali imagery. As whole, the book is kind of a mishmash of pieces with narrative and illustrations running a bit disconnectedly. Maybe watch the 1999 film Himalaya for a better flow of the drama; according to the fly leaf, the film was derivative from the book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sobering tale of facing and overcoming adversity. It is truly a beautiful book, from the storytelling to the text to the beautiful writing (Nepalese?) on the edges.

The originals of the paintings in this book are approx 26 feet long according to the information in the back of the book.

[Steve Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Son loves this book !