Published by Make Me a World
Summary: Rock climbers call boulders problems. They also call problems problems. Rock-climbing champion Ashima Shiraishi shows readers how she figures out a boulder problem, using techniques that can be used by any kind of problem-solver. She maps out a plan before starting. She doesn’t get it right the first time, which means falls…lots of falls. But she learns from each fall, adjusting her plan. Finally, she makes it to the top: “I waved hello at the memory of how hard the problem was. And looked for one problem more.” Includes a letter from publisher Christopher Myers about Ashima Shiraishi and a timeline of Ashima’s accomplishments to date (she’s 15 years old). 40 pages; ages 4-8.
Pros: This would make an excellent introduction to problem-solving, giving kids the opportunity to brainstorm ways to solve their own problems using Ashima’s techniques. Readers will connect with Ashima, whose climbing career began at age 6. The illustrations are gorgeous and may inspire future climbers.
Cons: I would have loved more information on rock climbing with maybe a photo or two.