Namaste!

By Diana Cohn

Book Overview

Nima Sherpa lives in Nepal at the top of the world, where the tallest mountain on earth, Chomolongma--the mountain we call Everest--towers above the clouds. Nima has promised her father, a mountain guide, that she will find a way to help make the world a better place.

Every day, on the long walk to the market village where she goes to school, Nima meets porters and caravans carrying their goods to market, travelers trekking to their next lodge, and monks on their way to their monastery. After school, she meets her friend Tenzing, an old Tibetan trader, who shares some honey with her at the market place.

Whenever Nima sees someone, she brings her hands together with her fingers almost touching her chin, bows her head slightly, and says "Namaste"--the light in me meets the light in you. Her mother tells her, "When you say 'Namaste, ' try to see the special spark of light that shines within every person's heart."

In Namaste Nima learns that she brightens the day for friends and strangers alike when she shares her sweetness and light, every time she says "Namaste."

Woven into this simple, gentle story about recognizing and honoring the sacred in one another are delightful details of daily life in Nepal.

Namaste is lusciously illustrated by artist Amy Cord va, with a glossary of terms at the end of the book, and an informative afterword by Ang Rita Sherpa of The Mountain Institute.

(Ages 5-8)

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Namaste helps support The Mountain Institute (http: //mountain.org), a non-profit organization working to empower communities that call mountains home.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1621480054
• ISBN13: 9781621480051
• Release Date: December 2012
• Publisher: Steiner Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.6" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

A Magical Book for My Daughter

My daughter recently received this book and loves to hear the story and look at the beautiful pictures. She is just starting to follow the stories in picture books and it is wonderfulto begin her life in stories with such a wonderful and spiritual book as Namaste. She also has a caregiver who is from Tibet and Namaste provides an opportunity for her to learn more about Tibetan and Buddhist culture through the eyes of the young girl in the story. Thank you so much for creating a wonderful treasure for my daughter.

The spirit of Namaste!

The minute this book was published I couln't wait to get my hands on a copy. Having spent time in Nepal myself, the story and illustrations truely reflect this enchanting place. With such whimsical illustrations and a story with great morals, I can't think of a child or adult that wouldn't get something from this book. I will treasure my copy forever. Namaste!

The beauty of Namaste

I just got couple of copies of these wonderful books for myself and my cousins. Amazing book!!! The illustration by Cordova are vibrant, brilliant colors and really showed a part of Nepal, very few people have seen. A must read book by not just children but will be enjoyed by adults as well. Its a story for everyone. As a Nepali, i feel that Cordova and Cohn have been able to capture Nepali culture very few have been able to. Everyone should own a copy of this book.

namaste! a great journey!

The lyrical writing in this children's book coupled with the extraordinary illustrations by the illustrator make for a wonderful journey for the reader and any child this book is read aloud to. I read this to a young child and it was pure joy. This book is unique in that it also offers a glossary and afterword that can add more understanding of Nepal and the region's geography and culture. The message of the book is beautiful. A must read! Refreshing and new and a great journey for all!