Featuring a foreword by the Dalai Lama and preface by Richard Gere, "Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World" by author and illustrator Naomi C. Rose (and the assistance of Tenzin Palsang, Tibetan translator) is a lovely bilingual collection of children's wisdom tales from Tibetan traditions. It is the second such collection by the author, following the earlier "Tibetan Tales for Little Buddhas," a special collaboration that won both a Nautilus Book award and an International Storytelling World Honor award.

Paging through "Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World" it is easy to see why this author/illustrator deserves such high honors and awards. The three wisdom tales, Prince Jampa's Surprise, Sonam and the Stolen Cow, and Tashi's Gold, are simply told in both English and Tibetan, illustrated with beautiful colorful paintings of Tibetan scenes including special miniatures of Tibetan wildlife, catalogued carefully at the end. This marvelous edition of "Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World" is sure to enchant readers young and old with its exotic details and simple messages of gratitude, honesty, and humility as virtues to be attained. As with other of the author's undertakings, a portion of the proceeds obtained for this publication benefit the Tibetan refugee children.

Rose’s follow-up to Tibetan Tales for Little Buddhas (2004) features three more traditional tales. In the first, generations have passed down stories of the savagery of the people of Varasi. Prince Jampa thinks he’s discovered their plot, so he sets out on a preemptive invasion. When he arrives at the palace, Jampa gets a surprise. In the next, Sonam, a reclusive nun, is accused of stealing. She’s innocent, but she learns a lesson about the implications of her past crimes thanks to a helpful monkey. And finally Tashi finds a lake full of gold nuggets. The wise, fearsome guardian goddess lets him take one nugget. Wiley Tashi takes his father back to get his one nugget. The two plan to take the whole family, but instead learn money doesn’t buy happiness and sharing is a reward unto itself. The paintings are bright and their subjects expressive, if a bit stiff. Although the preface and forward from Richard Gere and the Dalai Lama, respectively, have a regrettably throwaway feel, these three moralistic tales presented in both English and Tibetan is a good addition to large folklore collections. 

 
Shambhala Sun, December 2009
Recommended book for the holidays.

Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World features three traditional stories in both English and Tibetan. The Tibetan translation is by Pasang Tenzin; the foreword is by the Dalai Lama; the preface is by Richard Gere; and the text and dreamy illustrations are by Naomi C. Rose, who will be donating some of the sale proceeds to benefit Tibetan refugees.