Tine and the Faraway Mountain
by Shikha Tripathi and illustrated by Ogin Nayam
“Tine and the Faraway Mountain” by Shikha Tripathi and illustrated by Ogin Nayam. Published by Pratham. A book based on the life of Tine Mena who became the first woman from northeast India to climb Mount Everest.
Tine lived in the small town of Echali in the Mishmi hills of Arunachal Pradesh as a child. She was always drawn to the distant mountains. She always heard the sounds of “Whooshoo! Whooshoo!”. It was as if the mountains called out to her. She loved to climb. She was fearless and strong. Her family moved to the town of Roing as there was no school in Echali. Her life was turned upside down.
The sound of the mountains reduced to a faint whisper. A decade later, Tine finished her schooling and the mountains called out to her again. Was she able to go back to the mountains? How did she manage to climb Mount Everest? What were the challenges and obstacles that she had to face? How did she prepare for the climb? The book talks about all of this and celebrates the spirit of this mountaineer who dreamt big and achieved her goals. The power of dreams and believing in oneself is portrayed so nicely. The last page has additional information about Tine.
My seven year old loved the book. This was our second book based on exotic Arunachal Pradesh and he was familiar with the place thanks to the book “Hambreelmai’s Loom”. Books such as these introduce us to so many people who may not necessarily be so well known. After reading this book, my son wanted to know more about Mt Everest and we ended up reading “First to Top” about Edmund Hillary’s climb. That book had been bought two years ago and kept aside as he didn’t have the attention span for it then. This time around he couldn’t put it aside till we finished! Thank you Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow for recommending this book! The book is level 4 and apt for children aged 7/8+.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Pratham Books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.
PS - The book can be read online on storyweaver here.