• Age: 0 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 2 to 5

In this exceptionally beautiful book, baby Jilu, who lives in a nomadic Mongolian community, recounts his first year, from hearing his father's voice coaxing him into the world to life in his new home -- the family's ger, or yurt. He describes being cradled in his mother's arms while listening to her singing, the delicious smells that come from the cooking pot, his first meeting with his grandparents, and the family's nomadic life as they travel with a camel caravan to their autumn, winter, spring and summer camps. In each place the family builds a round ger, topped by a round hole through which the sky can be seen, and tends their sheep and goats.

Richly and vividly illustrated by young award-winning author/illustrator Bolormaa Baasansuren, My Little Round House is a rare and wonderful portrait of a Mongolian child's traditional world, so different from ours and yet so similar that this book will resonate for all young children and parents.

Bolormaa Baasansuren graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Mongolia and also studied children's book illustrations in Italy and Russia. She has won numerous awards, including Distinguished Best Book of Mongolia and prizes at the International Competition of Illustration (Teatrio/UNICEF) for her illustrations in Tales on Horseback, the Grand Prize at the international picture book competition of the National Cultural Festival in Fukuoka, Japan, for The Legend of Wives' Hair, and the Grand Prize at the Noma Concours for the Japanese edition of My Little Round House. She lives in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Bolormaa Baasansuren's profile page

Helen Mixter is a writer and the translator of several children's books, including the Governor General's Award-winning Harvey.

Helen Mixter's profile page

• Commended, Spirit of Paper Tigers Project
• Commended, USBBY Outstanding International Books
• Long-listed, CYBIL Awards

Beautiful picture book [with] full-page gouache illustrations [and] elaborate details.

School Library Journal

We were overwhelmed by the author's love for the topic and her passion for drawing.

Ken Kuroi

...illustrations that are rich and full with colour, textured like the woolen warp of tapestry...[with perspectives that] enhance the child's point of view -...a world full of entrancement...[offers] children...a sharp memorable view of a world they likely won't know otherwise.

Toronto Star

...the narration is plainspoken and immediate,...The gouache illustrations evocatively capture the rich setting of the story;...the full-bleed images are rich with authentic patterning...in a subtle intricacy that suggests needlework...the story and illustrations themselves offer a wonderful window into this rarely depicted corner of the globe.

Bulletin of The Center for Children's Books

Exquisite illustrations vividly convey the community's customs and traditions.

School Library Journal