This book is for older readers. It would be useful when teaching about other religions, specifically Buddhism. It gives a brief overview of Buddhism and has a heavy focus on meditation, history of the Dalai Lama, Buddha and his teachings, and the meaning of the Mandala. I learned that the Mandala is a mystical representation of the universe and how to make your own Mandala. I think making your own Mandala with the students could be a fun activity. This would be good for lessons about transforming hate and ignorance into love and acceptance. ( )

Karen Pandell, author of Land of Dark, Land of Light and other books for children, studied Asian history art Connecticut College. While traveling in Asia, she visited many Buddhist temples. She hopes this book will help build awareness and understanding of Tibetan culture (Source: dust jacket). In his foreword Richard Gere, wrote, "I urge you to continue your exploration of Buddhism. . ." This work includes a glossary and is well indexed.

Barry Bryant, a student of the Dalai Lama since 1973, is the author of The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism and Cancer Consciousness. He is artistic director of the Samaya Foundation, which first brought the Kalachakra sand mandala to the public at the American Museum of Natural History in 1988 (Source: dust jacket).

John Bigelow Taylor, who has produced more than twenty books on a variety of art related subjects, has photographed the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist subjects for more than two decades (Source: dust jacket).

Manuel “Manny” C. Menendez is the chairman of an international corporation that specializes in business with Pacific Rim countries. He has supported the efforts of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama for years. Most recently, Mr. Menendez sponsored a prime-time television show called “Compassion in Exile.” (Source: dust jacket).