Vanishing Cultures: Mongolia

By Jan Reynolds
Out of Stock

This photo essay explores the life of Dawa and Olana, two young cousins who come from a family of nomads on the grassy plains of Mongolia.

Description

It is a special day for cousins Dawa and Olana. Dawa’s father is going to find them two small horses in the family’s herd. Like other young Mongolian boys, Dawa and Olana are learning to be skilled horsemen.

Living as nomads on the grassy plains, Mongolians rely on horses to support their traditional way of life. Horses help with the daily work of rounding up the goats and cows that provide meat and milk for food, as well as skins for clothing and shelter. Dawa and Olana hope that with their new horses, they will learn to be great horsemen.

About the Creators

Jan Reynolds

Jan Reynolds is an award-winning author and photographer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including National Geographic, The New York Times, and Outside magazine. All seven books in her Vanishing Cultures series of photo-essays for children were recognized as Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, and she is also the author of Celebrate! Connections Among Cultures; Only the Mountains Do Not Move, and The Lion Queens of India. Reynolds holds the world record for women's high altitude skiing, was part of the first expedition to circumnavigate Mount Everest, and performed a solo crossing of the Himalayas. She lives with her family in Stowe, Vermont. Please visit her on the web at janreynolds.com.

Awards

  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

    National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

Reviews

  • "Clear color photographs and informative, interestingly written narrative reflect the insight only first-hand experience can provide."

    - Children's Literature
  • "Sensitive photography captures the beauty of these harsh landscapes as well as he dignity and humanity of these people."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • "What is important about. . .the Vanishing Cultures series is Jan Reynold's sincere sense of the majesty of the [world's] peoples. By sharing an empathetic and unsentimental glimpse of them, she gives us all a great gift."

    - The New York Times
  • "An attractive, full-color photo essay that gives insight into the lives of the nomadic people of Mongolia. They are shown as they herd horses, erect and dismantle portable housing, prepare food, and share the stories of their rapidly vanishing culture. A one-page introduction provides some facts about Mongolia and sets the scene for the pictures to follow. Also included is an afterword in which Reynolds explains how she came to meet and spend time with the family pictured. Endpapers have outline maps showing the country's location in the world and some of its natural features."

    - School Library Journal

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781600601309
  • Price $10.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2007
  • Trim Size 8.5 × 11 in
  • Weight 0.375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781600601453
  • Price $16.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2007
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Travel
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / People & Places / Asia
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Photography
  • Themes Animal / Biodiversity / Plant Adaptations, Animals, Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Cultural Diversity, Empathy / Compassion, Environment / Nature, Exploring Ecosystems, Families, Geography, History & Civics, Holidays / Traditions, Home, Human Impact On Environment / Environmental Sustainability, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Multiple Ethnicities Represented, Nature / Science, Nonfiction, People In Motion, Photographic Illustrations, Pride, Responsibility, Siblings, Similarities and Differences
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 5 - 11
  • Grade Range Grades K - 6
  • Guided Reading T
  • DRA 44
  • Lexile Level 910
  • Reading Level Grades 2 - 3
  • SRC 4.9
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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