This is Perfect Picture Book Friday as declared by Susanna Leonard Hill! The day that lots of fabulous Picture Books come to light.
I found a truly Perfect one at our school library. The school library isn’t really big, but they sure have some fantastic books on their shelves!
Tiger of the Snows is one of these books. It’s about mountain climbing. I’ve climbed a few mountains in my day, but nothing like this mountain! Whew!!
Tiger of the Snows, Tenzing Norgay: The boy whose dream was Everest, is a biography about the sherpa, Tenzing Norgay who was part of the team to first reach the top of Mt Everest. He and New Zealander, Edmund Hillary, are quite famous for this feat.
This book was written by Robert Burleigh and illustrated exquisitely by Ed Young.
It was published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2006
It is suitable for ages 7 and up. I think that kids from 4th grade and up would appreciate the story most.
Themes – mountain climbing, achieving your dreams,
The story is written in verse and begins –
A song for Tenzing,
Tenzing Norgay,
Sherpa,
Mountain man,
Tiger of the snows,
Because today
He will climb to the top of the world:
Everest.
The story is a beautiful ode to a remarkable man and his love and passion for a formidable mountain. Tenzing grew up in the Himalayas in the shadow of the great Mt Everest. He tended his fathers yaks and dreamed of the mountain. He ran away from home and became a mountain carrier so that he could learn the secrets of the mountain. Then he became a sherpa, guiding people on mountain trails.
On May 29, 1953, along with Edmund Hillary, he stepped onto the top of the mountain and the top of the world and reached the pinnacle of his dreams.
The sing song verse of Mr Burleigh lets you feel the cold and the danger of every step they take. And the artwork shows the immensity of the mountain and incredibly harsh conditions that these tiny men faced. The art and words together paint a beautiful picture.
I LOVE this book! It makes me want to find out more about these incredible men. Tenzing wrote an autobiography titled Tiger of the Snows. And there has been much written about Edmund Hillary. His son Peter has a website and links for kids with lots of good info about his father and Tenzing and Mt Everest. You can check it out HERE.
In 2002 Peter Hillary and Jamling Tenzing Norgay followed their fathers footsteps up Mt Everest. National Geographic made a film of this effort.
Here is a clip from the video.
For a virtual climb on Everest check out Discovery.com
Mountain climbing, and climbing Mt Everest in particular, has become an extremely popular adventure experience. There seems to be constant traffic these days going up and down the mountain. A discussion about the impact of all this traffic on the mountain itself and the surrounding communities would be a good thing to have. An interesting article on this topic can be found HERE. And NPR had a nice story HERE.
For more Perfect Picture Books and great resources to go along with, please visit Susanna Hill’s blog.
And I’ll leave you with a little video about the Great Climb of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary –
Happy climbing to you! May you reach your dreams!
Rhythm
Reading With Rhythm 
This looks really wonderful. I had no idea there were videos of these people! I love youtube for this and for all the Judy Garland performances…. thank you for sharing!
Youtube is a real treasure trove! There are even dog videos!! And I’ve even seen a capybara video! Who wouldda thought?! Thanks for stopping by!
This looks like a neat book for kids who love adventure! Sir Edmund and Tenzing were my childhood heroes – so I followed news of the 2002 expedition when it happened.
That’s pretty cool Ms Heavenrich! I like reading and hearing about big explorations. I like exploring myself.
I always thought Tenzing deserved more credit. I would enjoy this book
This is quite a beautiful tribute to Tenzing. I think you would like it.
Your selection is excellent. I think it is a great read for older kids. And, you certainly included some excellent links, with websites, videos and a virtual climb. Nice choice today!
Thanks Ms Tilton! I sure enjoyed doing this post! It made me want to go climb mountains – or something!
In verse too, how wonderful! Barr.. and I think it’s cold here.
I like the cold a lot, but that kind of cold on that mountain is kind of crazy!
Yes I’d like to keep my toes
I’d really like to read this! Too bad we can’t do it together, Rhythm!
That would be fun!! 😀
Yeesssss!
Fabulous selection! To often we forget about ALL the people involved in an event. I will look for this at the library. And also what wonderful resources you found. I went to the Peter Hilary site and read about all the equipment needed and expenses. I won’t be going any time soon….not enough pennies in my piggy bank.
It does seem to be a rich man’s adventure.
Great choice! I’m glad someone’s lauding the Sherpas. Hey, here’s a cool hat you could wear and then you could be the tiger of the snows: http://www.etsy.com/au/listing/157013283/tiger-ears-dog-snood-stay-put-3-rows?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=Dog+costume+tiger&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=AU&ga_search_type=all
hahaha! I don’t think I want the Mom Person to see that hat! Besides – no snow!!
Looks like a fabulous book, Rhythm. Your school librarian must have a knack for finding great books. I am amazed at the skills that sherpas like Tenzing Norgay must have had. An amazing man.
The school library is a fine one for sure! And I agree about Tenzing – an amazing man indeed!
Your post today wins my vote for the BEST IN SHOW, Rhythm! I loved your PPBF choice…the verse is absolutely beautiful. And I’ve seen a movie about this amazing sherpa…what determination. The video clips were wonderful…thank you for adding them. But your words at the end went straight to my heart…”Happy climbing to you…May you reach your dreams.” That is lovely.:)
I’ve just upgraded my Word Press account so hopefully I’ll be able to add videos also.:)
Wow! Thanks Ms Kirkfield! Best in Show! I’ve gotten a blue ribbon before, but never Best in Show! I owe it all to the book. This was one fabulous find. About an incredibly courageous man.
Wow, what an awesome find!
Yes, indeedy!!
The verse looks delightful. I’ll have to see if it would be good for my toddler. If not, I would love to read it.
It is delightful, but not toddler delightful. I think you will appreciate more than your little person. Boy, I think?
Great review, Rhythm! 😀
Thanks Erik!
This sounds fantastic, Rhythm! And look at all those cool resources! My husband and I used to rock climb, and he was really into all kinds of climbing books. He read all about Hillary and Norgay. I will have to show him this!