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Suggested Source Materials for the Study of Tibet in Grades K-4

(Many of these materials are available through The Global Source Catalog)

The Dalai Lama: A Biography of the Tibetan Spiritual and Political Leader
Written and Illustrated by Demi. A biography of The 14th Dalai Lama for juvenile readers. Beautifully illustrated and written in simple language. Cloth. 31 Pages. Henry Holt & Co., 1998.

A Dog's Tooth
Text by W.W. Rowe, Illustrated by Chris Banigan. A retelling of a classic Tibetan tale of deception and faith in which a young man who fails to obtain a sacred relic for his dying mother gives her a dog's tooth instead. Uniquely illustrated in a multimedia of paintings and photographs. Cloth. 31 Pages. Snow Lion Publications, 1998.

Explore Tibet
By Kimberly Evers & Newark Museum Junior Museum Staff. This activity book features teaches young people about traditional Tibetan culture with cut-outs of Tibetan nomads, yaks, tents, recipes, mask making, glossary and board game. Recommended as a text for grades K-3. Paper. 33 Pages. Snow Lion Publications, 1992.

The Mountains Of Tibet
Written and Illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. After dying, a Tibetan woodcutter dies is given the choice of going to heaven or living another life anywhere in the universe. A beautifully illustrated, award-winning story for all ages. A wonderful tale of reincarnation. Paper. 24 Pages. Harper & Row, 1987.

Our Journey From Tibet
Written by Laurie Dolphin, Photographs by Nancy Jo Johnson. Documents the journey of a nine year old girl who, with a group of children, illegally escapes Tibet over the Himalayas for a education in the Tibetan exile community of Dharamsala, India. Based on a true story, with the actual photographs from this journey. Includes a letter from The Dalai Lama. One of the few books to age-appropriately introduce students to issues of human rights, cultural survival, migration, and the refugee experience for elementary education (Grades 3 and up). A number of ESL educators have found this book a valuable teaching tool. It was taken out print in 1999, but is still available through Tibet Education Network at Global Source. Cloth. 40 Pages. Dalton ChildrenısBooks, 1997.

Prince Siddhartha: The Story of the Buddha
Written by Jonathan Landaw, Illustrated by Janet Brooke. The story of Prince Siddhartha and how he became the (historical) Buddha, the Awakened One, and founder of one of the world's great religions. One of the few accessible biographies of the Buddha written for young people. Paper. 142 pages. Wisdom, 1984.

Tara's Coloring Book
Illustrated by Andy Weber & Nigel Wellings, Text by Jonathan Landaw A coloring book of traditional Tibetan Buddhist art. Detailed text explains history and philosophy behind religious figures and symbols, along with coloring instructions. Great for art projects. Paper. 12 outlined plates. Wisdom, 1979.

Tibet: Tintin's Travel Diaries
By Daniel de Bruycker. Explores the geography, history, traditional culture, religion and current situation in Tibet combining educational text with Herge's original cartoons and contemporary photographs. One topic per two pages. Recommended as a text for grades 3-5. Paper & Cloth. 75 Pages. Barrons Educational Series, 1995. (out of print)

Tibet through the Red Box
Written and Illustrated by Peter Sis. A son finds his father's diaries of travel in Tibet during the 1950's and imagines his journey in a mystical land on the verge of being absorbed by Communist China. Based on the diaries of the author's father, who was a Czech filmmaker while hired by the Chinese Government to document the building of a railroad into Tibet, deals with the impact it will have on an ancient society. A provocative story, beautiful illustrated, for children and adults that explores a child's memories of a father whose work took him to mysterious, far off places. A Caldecott Honor Book. Cloth. 55 Pages. Farrer, Straus and Giroux, 1998.

Special Tibet Issue of Faces
Faces: Peoples Places and Cultures, the well-known children's magazine, dedicated their October 1999 issue to learning about Tibet. It features ten articles and stories, three activities, and other resources covering a broad scope of Tibetan issues, including The 14th Dalai Lama, Singer Yungchen Lhamo, Dharamsala, traditional Tibetan celebrations, a Tibetan Cultural Center in the US. TEN Director, Jon Garfunkel, was a consulting editor, and contributed an article about The 11th Panchen Lama. Recommended as a student reader the study of Tibet for grades 4-9. Paper. 46 pages. Cobblestone Publishing, 1999.

Halpern, Gina, Where Is Tibet?, Snow Lion, Ithaca, 1991

Leo, Veronica & Daknewa, Tashi, The Three Silver Coins, Snow Lion, Ithaca, 1995

Raimondo, Lois, The Little Lama of Tibet, Scholastic Inc., New York, 1994

Reynolds, Jan, Himalaya: Vanishing Cultures, Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, San Diego, 1991

Schroeder, Alan, The Stone Lion, C. Scribner's Sons, New York, 1994

Stewart, Whitney,To the Lion Throne, Snow Lion, Ithaca, 1990

Little Buddha (video) A young boy from Seattle is identified as the incarnation of a Tibetan Lama, interspersed with flashbacks to scenes from the life of the historical Buddha in ancient India. A Bernado Bertalucci Film. Filmed in Seattle. Feature Film. 1994. 123 minutes. Themes: Tibetan Buddhism & Monastic Culture , Historical Buddha, Tibetan Diaspora

Compiled by Tibet Education Network at Global Source.

Many of these materials are available through The Global Source Catalog