Up on the world’s highest mountain, the sky is tinged the black colour of space and the air is almost too thin to breathe.
How did Ed, a small, shy boy from the tiny town of Tuakau in New Zealand, grow up to become the world’s most famous mountaineer and adventurer? How did he climb Everest and do so many other astonishing things?
I’m liking
My six year old was enthralled by this book. It’s in the style of a picture but there is plenty of scope for older readers. The book gives lots of information about Hillary’s adventure. As far as I am concerned, David Hill is one of New Zealand’s best writers for children and this book is a great reflection on his ability to tell a story.
There images in this book are by Phoebe Morris and have a lovely mix of detail and humour.
The conclusion
There are a few great writers doing non-fiction for children in New Zealand and this book is a fantastic example. It’s a wonderful mix of story and image and is a great way to introduce Hillary’s story to a new generation.
