First to the top Sir Edmund Hillary's amazing Everest adventure

Survival, adventure, and humor combine in this picture book that chronicles Sir Edmund Hillary's life and, of course, his historic climb of the world's highest peak. The book spends a few pages documenting Hillary's life and training before making the daring climb, but the focus is mostly on the trek itself. Thankfully, Hill gives ample credit to Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa climber who not only made the climb with Hillary but saved his life. The story doesn't end with the climb, however, and Hill takes time to cover the impact Hillary's Everest expedition had on the world as well as the mountaineer's contributions years later. Morris' illustrations are filled with intriguing details sweeping Himalayan landscapes fill the pages in rocks and icy swirls, and bees make surprising appearances in an homage to Hillary's interest in apiculture. The rich, vibrant color palette is quite a feat considering much of the action takes place in the snow. This engaging, appealing introduction to a fascinating figure could inspire children to climb their own mountains, literal and figurative.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2016 Booklist