The United States imports and embraces many aspects of Tibetan culture with religion, philosophy, and music being among the most popular and recognizable. Now Naomi C. Rose offers a different slice of Tibet for a smaller audience (in both number and size) - a children’s book set in Tibet, full of Tibetan themes and creatures, including a Tibetan translation of the book. The result is a vivid glimpse into what stories youngsters in the small country grow up hearing.

The book is divided into three short stories, each following a young child’s perseverance over various challenges. The first story is about a boy, his father, their horse, and the fortunes that follow them. The second story tells of a young niece and her overbearing aunt, and how the niece teaches the aunt to be a loving and caring person. In the third tale, a young monk travels alone to find wisdom, and though fear and doubt litter his path, he eventually succeeds. The three stories in the book deal with themes such as gaining wisdom, patience, forgiving, trust in oneself, and appreciation of nature. These are important lessons, and one might wonder if kids will not automatically tune out with such heavy themes. But Naomi C. Rose keeps the language clear and the lessons simple to keeps kids’ attention.

If the title isn’t a signal of the uniqueness of the book, then the forward by His Holiness the Dalai Lama certainly points to the singularity of this book. In order to add even more Tibetan culture into her stories, Naomi C. Rose incorporates the Yeti, yaks, horses, prayer flags and other such items. To further teach youngsters about Tibet, a short list of terms with definitions, a map of Tibet and its bordering countries, and a short Tibetan prayer are included. The nicest touch of all is that each story has been beautifully in Tibetan beneath the English version.

Tibetan Tales for Little Buddhas by Naomi C. Rose is a wonderful introduction to Tibetan culture for youngster and adults who have not experienced Tibetan culture in America. The lessons of the book are meaningful and attainable for children and the book has magic and mysticism to keep their attention. Though the foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama seems a little of the rubber-stamp variety, the accomplishments of this book should not be overlooked, and Tibetan Tales for Young Buddhas should be read to children across the U.S.