The Yeti and the Jolly Lama: A Tale of Friendship
by Lama Surya Das
illustrated by Vivian Mineker
Date: 2019
Publisher: Sounds True
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library
Gather around, children, and hear a tale from far-off Tibet, the fabled Land of Snows. Surely you have heard of it, the mountain home of the legendary Abominable Snowman.
How can we soothe the savage beasts of fear, aggression, and intolerance? We do it together, teaches American Buddhist teacher Lama Surya Das, in an authentic teaching tale from the high Himalayas. When the legendary yeti terrorizes a small Tibetan village, the local lama—a cave-dwelling, meditating hermit—shows us how generosity, patience, and a sense of belonging can turn an Abominable Snowman into an adorable one. With themes of resilience, interconnection, acceptance, and a subtle introduction to lovingkindness meditation, this story of spiritual friendship will awaken the hearts of children young and old.
(synopsis from Goodreads)
The Yeti & the Jolly Lama is a simple story about friendship and acceptance.
The villagers are all afraid of the yeti. But the lama isn't. He's not afraid of anything. So when the yeti comes to visit, the lama befriends it, and a lasting relationship is formed.
I'm not sure that the lama sitting around and praying is going to appeal (or be relatable) to young children. Wishing good things for everyone is a nice sentiment, and it certainly doesn't hurt. While I do see that the problem between the yeti and the villagers was kind of a circular one (they were afraid of him, so he acted out, so they were afraid of him), I thought the ease with which the lama and yeti made friends was kind of simplistic.
That said, it's a nice picture book for what it is. The illustrations are appealing, if simple, and I can't fault the overall message. It's also nice to see books set in places like Tibet; we need more uncommon locales in children's picture books.
Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
Overall: 3.33 out of 5
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