TENZIN'S DEER: A Tibetan Tale, by Barbara Soros, illust. by Danuta Mayer

TENZIN'S DEER: A Tibetan Tale

by Barbara Soros, illust. by Danuta Mayer

Born beneath a brilliant comet, Tenzin is wiser than his years and holds the knowledge of many generations in his memory. He is kind and tender to both people and animals, wild and tame. When he discovers a wounded musk deer high up in the hills, he feels the creature's pain as if it were his own and tenderly takes it home to try and heal it. He names it Jampa, "loving kindness". That night, as sleep overcomes him, he has a dream that shows him how he can cure his new friend. Day by day the deer recovers, but Tenzin has yet to understand one of the most important lessons of all: how to love enough to let go.

Barbara Soros's narrative draws on the ancient wisdom of the Tibetan people, urging us to listen to our intuition and be courageous in the face of loss. Danuta Mayer's scenic illustrations capture the majestic beauty of old Tibet, creating a powerful sense of space against which the poignant story of Tenzin and Jampa can unfold.

Upon nursing a wounded deer back to life, young Tenzin embarks on a spiritual and emotional journey. Steeped in Buddhist thought, this tale tells of the generosity, patience, and courage it takes to let go.

Parents and educators will want to read the last page of the book first, for helpful advice and insights. Ages 5-10.

"This beautifully illustrated story of a young Tibetan boy's efforts to care for a wounded deer aptly reflect the compassionate and caring values pervading Tibetan culture"--H.H. The Dalai Lama

"Tenzin's tale is a delightful and original Tibetan teaching in the lessons of compassion, selfless altruism, and how to love enough to learn how to heal and to let go"--Lama Surya Das

"A wise and wonderful book, beautiful both in its message of loving-kindness and compassion and in the exquisite illustrations that bring the story to life" - Sharon Salzberg

Barbara Soros is a body/mind practitioner who has used storytelling as an integral part of her therapeutic work for over twenty years. A student of Tibetan medicine, Barbara has also written and directed children's plays and has facilitated workshops worldwide for children and adults on the theme of creativity and healing. She is also the author of Grandmother's Song (Barefoot Books, 1998).

Danuta Mayer has illustrated a number of successful children's books on a variety of topics, from Egyptian myths and legends to the Chinese horoscope. Passionate about animal rights, Danuta has set up a refuge in her home that currently houses seventeen dogs, three noisy parrots and some two hundred smaller animals. Having tended numerous injured creatures and helped them on the road to recovery, Danuta easily identifies with the story of Tenzin's Deer and understands the mixed sense of elation and loss felt when releasing a healed animal back into the wild.