The Dalai Lama

I was going to group all of Demi's many biographical books together in one post, but I decided to slow down and enjoy them one at a time. What she creates is nothing short of book candy...gorgeously illustrated and popping with juicy colors.

In this story Demi, who is a practicing Buddhist, tells about the life of the present day and fourteenth Dalai Lama. And lo and behold, the forward is actually written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama! Through this book your child will learn how the Dalai Lama is discovered, what he was like as a boy, how he grew up in the Potala Palace, how China affected Tibetan life, and how the Dalai Lama and thousands of other Tibetan people made a mass exodus to India in the 1950's. It is well told and will shed some light on those "Free Tibet" bumper stickers.

Ages 7-9
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And this looks interesting. The Tibetan Prayer Flag Pack contains two sets of flags: one with traditional ancient Tibetan blessings, the other to be personalized using the enclosed indelible fabric markers. For centuries Tibetans have been spreading prayers and blessings with the use of these flags and a book describing the history and spirituality behind these beautiful squares of prayer is also included in the pack. Would love to hear what prayers your children come up with.


Activity: Here is a map challenge. Do you know the countries that bordered Tibet? And take a look at this animated map of China from 1948-1950.