Tibet Through the Red Box : Through The Red Box

Rating:
Summary: Unique and beautiful
Review: "Tibet" is an artistic triumph from Sis, whose illustrations have always been wonderful. This book, however, is a highly personal tale that he seeks to tell, and it is a rather complex and mystical one - for this reason I recommend it more for adults, though there's no harm in reading it to your child if you think it will go over (just don't be surprised if they don't appreciate it as you do.) I say the tale is complex, because the plot has many layers. Sis himself is a child in Cold War Europe, whose father disappears. The father then returns, saying he had been sent to make documentary films in Tibet. His memories are contained in a red box, which Sis does not open until later in life. These memories tell of tales both possible (meeting the Dalai Lama, Chinese takeover of Tibet) and exxaggerated (mythical cities, wild adventures, etc.) The overall tone of the book is not a political one, but a spiritual one. Having taken us through a dazzling series of illustrated mandalas and different colored rooms, Sis concludes that he isn't really sure what went on with his father in Tibet, and whether it was all a mystical dream on the part of his father or on the part of himself. It's difficult to explain all this, but I hope you get the picture as to how sophisticated the book really is. It will merit careful revisiting by adults, and its beautiful, stylized artwork and haunting mysticism will render rich rewards.

Rating:
Summary: Unique and beautiful
Review: "Tibet" is an artistic triumph from Sis, whose illustrations have always been wonderful. This book, however, is a highly personal tale that he seeks to tell, and it is a rather complex and mystical one - for this reason I recommend it more for adults, though there's no harm in reading it to your child if you think it will go over (just don't be surprised if they don't appreciate it as you do.) I say the tale is complex, because the plot has many layers. Sis himself is a child in Cold War Europe, whose father disappears. The father then returns, saying he had been sent to make documentary films in Tibet. His memories are contained in a red box, which Sis does not open until later in life. These memories tell of tales both possible (meeting the Dalai Lama, Chinese takeover of Tibet) and exxaggerated (mythical cities, wild adventures, etc.) The overall tone of the book is not a political one, but a spiritual one. Having taken us through a dazzling series of illustrated mandalas and different colored rooms, Sis concludes that he isn't really sure what went on with his father in Tibet, and whether it was all a mystical dream on the part of his father or on the part of himself. It's difficult to explain all this, but I hope you get the picture as to how sophisticated the book really is. It will merit careful revisiting by adults, and its beautiful, stylized artwork and haunting mysticism will render rich rewards.

Rating:
Summary: AWARDS
Review: A 1999 Caldecott Honor Book; An ALA Notable Children's Book; A Riverbank Review 1999 Children's Book of Distinction; A NECBA Fall List Title

Rating:
Summary: Stunningly Beautiful
Review: I feel so lucky to have stumbled across this book in a used books store (Sorry Amazon!) The illustrations are amazingly beautiful. You could spend a whole day reading this children's book and admiring the incredibly detailed illustration. The story is also a very different perspective on the Chinese invasion of Tibet, an exciting personal adventure, and a touching examination of a father/son relationship. I recommend it to children and adults, and anyone who would enjoy a beautiful book of art.

Rating:
Summary: Stunningly Beautiful
Review: I feel so lucky to have stumbled across this book in a used books store (Sorry Amazon!) The illustrations are amazingly beautiful. You could spend a whole day reading this children's book and admiring the incredibly detailed illustration. The story is also a very different perspective on the Chinese invasion of Tibet, an exciting personal adventure, and a touching examination of a father/son relationship. I recommend it to children and adults, and anyone who would enjoy a beautiful book of art.

Rating:
Summary: Read closely and read again
Review: It has been my privilege to read and re-read this book with some teenagers who have formerly claimed their reluctance to read. Peter Sis gave us all the opportunity to read the pictures first: why the sepia toned photos and the father-shaped holes? Why the mandelas? The maps? The diary entries? Once engaged, and fuelled by the tidal oscillations of the various layers of drawings, composed symphonically, we could not help but read the book. For a generation accustomed to video players this book let us pause, fast-forward, rewind... a book to read forwards, backwards, and inside out. Sis lets us know that books are a treasure, that books can walk beside us for a lifetime and nourish the mind and soul in imaginings... I add this one to my list of 1000 books I would proudly give to any child.

Rating:
Summary: Educational and beautiful
Review: It is never too early to educate children in the ways of the world, and "Tibet - Through the Red Box" does so with beauty and compassion. Labeling something as "political" (as if that was automatically a negative) and discarding it for that reason is symptomatic of the thinking that has kept Tibet repressed for so long. When a story is as moving and as beautifully illustrated as this one, it is the perfect vehicle to introduce children to new ideas, and should be held up as a model rather than kept away from the little darlings. I know my children will benefit greatly from reading books that open their minds and expose them to new thoughts and new cultures, and once our children benefit from that intellectual process, we all benefit.

Rating:
Summary: A book for my children and my children's children
Review: My children are mostly grown; and today, when we remember growing up "together", we sometimes talk about books that they (we) loved when they were young. This is one such book, published just in time to share with my youngest, who was ten at the time. The story is mysterious and complex and involves simple spiritual discoveries made by the artist's father when he was lost in Tibet. The rich, delicate artwork and thoughtful reflections are layered and you can return to the book over and over and find new ideas, beautiful images, magical details . This book will feed the spirit of a thoughtful child and remain with them as they grow. My daughter and I treasure this book.

Rating:
Summary: a wonderful combination of visual and mystical delights
Review: My ten year old son recently did a report on the Dalai Lama, and wanted to more of Tibet. He totally consumed this book, marveling at the art, the stories and their combination with real experiences. This is a book which combines the best of all of these venues!

Rating:
Summary: Captures the soul of Tibet that even a child may understand.
Review: Only a handful of foreigners are fortunate enough to visit Tibet, the rooftop of the world. Those that do find an awesome landscape and a loving, kind, and compassionate people. The Chinese invasion of this peaceful kingdom is trying to change the land but will never be able to change and corrupt its citizens because the author and all those who visit feel the pull and tug to insure that everyone they come in contact with know and understand the true essence of Tibet. A beautiful gift of reading at its best. For those 10-100! Kudos, too, for the book cover design which is exceptional.