cover image The Little Lama of Tibet

The Little Lama of Tibet

Lois Raimondo. Scholastic, $15.95 (40pp) ISBN 978-0-590-46167-2

From its foreword by the Dalai Lama to its hand-lettered endpapers depicting the Tibetan alphabet, this haunting photo essay beautifully presents a most unusual subject: six-year-old Tibetan Buddhist high lama Ling Rinpoche. With her clear writing and thoughtfully composed, if dark photographs, Raimondo conveys Rinpoche as both a spiritual leader and a regular boy. Text and color photos document the training of a holy leader and the everyday life of an active six-year-old. Accordingly Rinpoche is shown earnestly studying the scriptures and then playing with his blocks, blessing pilgrims and riding a merry-go-round. When another young high lama visits, the boys greet each other solemnly, then walk off hand-in-hand to play. When Rinpoche retires to his room to pray, he does so surrounded by his collection of stuffed bears. While it may be difficult for those unfamiliar with Buddhism to appreciate the importance of Rinpoche's position--and while the Dalai Lama's introductory remarks about reincarnation may raise more questions than they answer--Raimondo's respectful approach will assure readers that they have glimpsed something very special. A note by Rinpoche eloquently ends a strange and wonderful journey. Ages 5-9. (Feb.)