Sunday, March 15, 2009

Non-Fiction Monday: Listen to the Wind

Three Cups of Tea
Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth have collaborated on a picture book for children based on Mortenson's bestselling Three Cups of Tea. Their book Listen to the Wind is sure to be a bestseller, too. I admire the simplicity with which the story is told of Greg's adventure into the mountains of Pakistan as well as the school-building project that followed. Roth's use of paper collage is stunning and fitting for the rugged setting of the book. The use of narrative and nonfiction backmatter with photos works well together. Of particular interest is the spread in which Roth talks about how her work was influenced by artifacts from the regional culture.This book offers substance and heart. Greg's work demonstrates the good that results when compassion does not stop at our respective countries' borders. It is a book I will be giving to young friends for years to come.
~~Meghan Nuttall Sayres

2 comments:

Mari Hunt said...

I love this book. Thanks for highlighting it, Meghan.

Andromeda Jazmon said...

I haven't seen this book yet because I'm out on medical leave from my library. But I know we ordered it and our middle school students are reading the YA version TCT: One Child at a Time with David Relin. We also participated in the Pennies for Peace fund raiser, getting the kids to bring in change to donate to the school building mission. I think this is one very exciting cause to support!

Last year a couple of us teachers went to hear Mortenson speak and we got others to read the first book Three Cups of Tea. We were so excited we kept talking about it and got everyone else interested. I'm so glad to see you reviewing this book to pass it on!