Mountains of Tibet, The

I hadn't even read this book until I came across it while cataloging my books on librarything. I was surprised -- I had an amazing fictional book for children, dealing with reincarnation, and I didn't even know I had it! The story is simple and beautiful. The pictures are wonderful. I really liked

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how the man's instinct was to go back from where he came.

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Although the text is at a level understandable for a younger age group, the concepts considered are more appropriate for this group. This is a retelling of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings about death and reincarnation for children. It is beautifully illustrated and is a good introduction to the

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philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism and reincarnation.

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Without forcing any religious or spiritual ideals onto the reader, this delicate and thoughtful book explores the process of reincarnation through the eyes of a young boy who loves to fly kites and grows up to be a woodcutter. When he dies, he goes to a place that is both very dark and very light,

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and through the next few pages, gets to choose his galaxy and world and village and parents that he will have in his next life. Although he has always wanted to see more of the world, he chooses mostly everything familiar and safe and warm that he remembers from his past life, except for one thing. He wants to try being a girl this time. A friend pointed out to me that all the illustrations of the 'real' world are neatly framed in normal square - page - style, but that all of the more surreal & fantastical scenes are illustrated in a circular drawing. This is such a delightful book!

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Gerstein’s Mountains of Tibet takes on a considerable challenge: introducing children to the concept of death and reincarnation. Mountains tells the story of a Tibetan woodcutter who, when he dies, is given the choice to “become part of the endless universe some call heaven” or to “live

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another life.” Because he still wishes to experience new things, the man chooses to live another life. The reader follows him as he travels the universe, searching for his next identity, eventually choosing to return as a young girl. The story brings a full-circle sense of closure that enhances the book’s comforting message. The theme of Mountains echoes the Tibetan Book of the Dead, but in terms more relatable to young children. The accompanying illustrations capture traditional Tibetan mandala artwork, further enhancing the cultural exploration.
Librarians may want to collect this book for its value as a multicultural learning tool and introduction to Tibet. In addition, the book’s comforting treatment of death and dying make it an excellent resource for children coping with these difficult topics—the book’s content is not limited by its cultural context or spiritual basis, so librarians may want to have it on hand as a recommendation for many readers. Mountains was named Outstanding Children’s Book and Best Illustrated Children’s Book by the New York Times, Notable Children’s Trade Book in Social Studies by NCSS/CBC, and a Year’s Best Book by Publisher’s Weekly.

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About reincarnation; a good UU or Hindu (I think) read to cope with the death of a loved one (including animals). Much less childish than the other ones I read--definitely not just a children's book.

A man who likes kites as a child becomes a woodcutter in the mountains of Tibet and always hopes to travel, but never does. When he dies he is given choices about what to do next wherever he wants in the universe and ultimately decides to live in the mountains of Tibet, but this time as a girl.

The

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afterword briefly discusses the author and how the book was inspired by his reading of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. According to some of the reviews here, people cling to their past life in their present one. Someone also pointed out that the pictures of the man's life are in square borders, while those between his lives are circular.

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