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Ashima Shiraishi
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How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion Hardcover – Picture Book, April 7, 2020

by Ashima Shiraishi (Author), Yao Xiao (Illustrator)
4.6 out of 5 stars 711 ratings
Teachers' pick
From Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world's youngest and most skilled climbers, comes a true story of strength and perseverance--in rock climbing and in life.

To a rock climber, a boulder is called a "problem," and you solve it by climbing to the top. There are twists and turns, falls and scrapes, and obstacles that seem insurmountable until you learn to see the possibilities within them. And then there is the moment of triumph, when there's nothing above you but sky and nothing below but a goal achieved.

Ashima Shiraishi draws on her experience as a world-class climber in this story that challenges readers to tackle the problems in their own lives and rise to greater heights than they would have ever thought possible.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD650L
  6. Dimensions
    8.75 x 0.38 x 12.25 inches
  7. Publisher
    Make Me a World
  8. Publication date
    April 7, 2020
  9. ISBN-10
    1524773271
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1524773274
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Both a riveting narrative and an excellent guide for young readers to try, try again.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

”Cleanly outlined forms and intensely saturated hues show Ashima honing analytical skills whose power reaches beyond the climbing wall to the rest of life.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
“[Ashima’s] beliefs in learning from each fall and that learning from failure is a superpower are sure to empower any person facing a problem. Engrossing and inspiring.” —Booklist
 
“An inspiration to young readers.”—School Library Journal

About the Author

Ashima Shiraishi started climbing at the age of six, and today she is one of the best climbers in the world. She is the first and only female climber ever to ascend a V15 bouldering problem, earning praise from Outside magazine as "a young crusher" and the New York Times as a "bouldering phenom." This is her first picture book.

Yao Xiao is a China-born illustrator based in New York City. Her work has appeared in Time, EW, National Geographic, and The Wall Street Journal, among other outlets, and she is also the author of the monthly web comic Baopu. This is her first picture book.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Make Me a World; Illustrated edition (April 7, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1524773271
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1524773274
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD650L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.75 x 0.38 x 12.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 711 ratings

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Ashima Shiraishi

Ashima Shiraishi

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
711 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and interesting, with strong parallels to life. They appreciate the creative illustrations that complement the writing style. The book is described as inspiring and encouraging, providing a great lesson about overcoming difficulties. Readers praise the well-written prose and thoughtful thinking scenes.

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Story qualityVisual qualityInfluenceWriting style
9 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the story and illustrations. They find the parallels to life strong.

"...She keeps trying. I found her story so inspiring and learned so much about rock-climbing...." Read more

"...Falling is an essential part of climbing and the parallels to life are really strong. Falling does not mean failure but it is a big teacher...." Read more

"...My child loves it and so do I. The book contains a great story and great wisdom. The art is enjoyable and beautiful." Read more

"The graphics were quite nice but the story line seems incomplete...." Read more

9 customers mention "Visual quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the illustrations beautiful and creative, with amazing imagery of Ashima climbing.

"...The illustrations are fantastic and add so much to Ashima’s story!..." Read more

"...detailed look at a specific problem (Boulder) with absolutely amazing imagery of Ashima climbing...." Read more

"...It is creatively and playfully written complimented by illustrations that are engaging and beautiful...." Read more

"...It's also beautifully illustrated and has amazing prose in English." Read more

6 customers mention "Influence"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and motivating for young climbers. They say it's a great lesson from the world's greatest climber about overcoming difficulties. The illustrations are engaging and beautiful.

"Such a great lesson from the world's greatest climber that happens to be a teenager. My 4 year old boy picks this book almost every night...." Read more

"...and playfully written complimented by illustrations that are engaging and beautiful...." Read more

"...My child loves it and so do I. The book contains a great story and great wisdom. The art is enjoyable and beautiful." Read more

"Great for teaching kids about overcoming difficulties." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing style. They find it well-written and detailed, with amazing imagery. The prose is amazing, thoughtful, and exposing. Readers appreciate the creative and playful writing style, complimented by illustrations. It teaches resilience and problem-solving skills.

"...Well done Ashima and thank you for sharing your story in this very thoughtful and exposing way for my little climber to look up to! -Nate" Read more

"...It is creatively and playfully written complimented by illustrations that are engaging and beautiful...." Read more

"...It's also beautifully illustrated and has amazing prose in English." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Julie Kennard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is such a fantastic book! The first page starts, “I am Ashima. What I do is climb. What I do is solve problems, which is to say, I make them mine.” I love that idea of making problems ours! This is the story of a young female rock climber. Ashima is the first female climber to ever climb a V15 (high degree of difficulty) boulder! The book follows Ashima as she begins climbing with the support of her dad, she tackles more and more difficult climbing problems. I love how the author talks through her process of analyzing each boulder. The book also shows some falls, but Ashima doesn’t let that stop her. She keeps trying. I found her story so inspiring and learned so much about rock-climbing. The illustrations are fantastic and add so much to Ashima’s story! Seeing her thought process not only in words but in the illustrations really brought this story to life! I highly recommend this book!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • N H "Yug Oidua"
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is my 4 year old climber's favorite book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Such a great lesson from the world's greatest climber that happens to be a teenager. My 4 year old boy picks this book almost every night. This is such a well written detailed look at a specific problem (Boulder) with absolutely amazing imagery of Ashima climbing. It has some of the most detailed and such well conceived "thinking" scenes you will ever find in a book.

    Most Importantly Ashima has hit on a topic that we all need work on. As a "learn from your falls" lesson permiates throughout it also shows that perseverance comes with never giving up and taking the time to assess and analyze "what the fall had told [her]". Although written for children, this a great lesson for us adults too.

    Well done Ashima and thank you for sharing your story in this very thoughtful and exposing way for my little climber to look up to!
    -Nate
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Aarick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful words, art, and encouragement!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this book for my 4 year-old daughter to help her understand and overcome things that frighten or intimidate her. It is creatively and playfully written complimented by illustrations that are engaging and beautiful. When my daughter learned the book was about a girl in "real life" her eyes lit up! The book actually helped me approach supporting her in a more constructive way. Already my daughter is conquering stairs after a fall, and maybe someday will want to try rock climbing with me!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Sherry
    4.0 out of 5 stars I like book
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I like the bookbut
    It is very kid like. I can’t say much more because I haven’t finished the book
    One person found this helpful
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  • bossman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and story and fun illustrations
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I think it's a good book for parents or to give as a gift to kids or if you're a teacher. My wife and I are both climbers and are fans of Ashima who is one of the most inspirational young climbers in the world. She's been featured on NPR and many other magazines and she also does a lot of good for the community. It's definitely a kid's book, but I bought it so that my wife can share it with her students (elementary school age) during the quarantine. The kids loved it even if they're not climbers because of the story and lesson and the illustrations.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • LorrieHess
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Story and Fun Inspiration
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Bought for my nieces to read and be inspired by when they visited. Enjoyed the book myself too. Always interested in reading real life stories of people who go after and achieve big goals. Illustrations made it come to life even more and my three 9 year-old nieces very much enjoyed the book with me.
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  • Sarah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Teaches resilience and problem solving
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    One of my favorite things about this book was teaching it to some climbing students. Falling is an essential part of climbing and the parallels to life are really strong. Falling does not mean failure but it is a big teacher. The students were able to draw really strong reflections from the language. It's also beautifully illustrated and has amazing prose in English.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Biscuits
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nice Graphics, Story Line Seems Incomplete
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The graphics were quite nice but the story line seems incomplete. Even for a children's book, there seems to be little guidance to visualizing the solutions. Other than the protagonist fell a lot, there was little to indicate how she achieved success. My wife, a retired children's librarian, did not like the book.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Johanna MacKinnon
    3.0 out of 5 stars The story line was lacking in depth
    Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the suggestion that climbing is merely a problem to be solved, however the story lacked strategies.
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  • Emi Yoshida
    5.0 out of 5 stars Girl Power!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I love this book about a phenomenal female athlete, illustrated by a female artist, that can teach anybody a lesson about grit and fortitude, regardless of their age or gender. My daughters and I would recommend this to readers aged 6-8 ideally.
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  • karthik r.
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not good
    Reviewed in India on June 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Badly written for a 8 year old . Suitable only for 5 year old . Just a ploy to sell the book by increasing the age group. Avoid buying this
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  • カスタマー
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
    Reviewed in Japan on June 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book is awesome!!
    Ashima is amazing.
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  • テラミン
    5.0 out of 5 stars 勇気づけられます
    Reviewed in Japan on July 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    白石阿島さんはクライミングの世界では有名な女性ですが、その阿島さんが授業の教材で取り上げられていて、阿島さんのことを調べていく中で、この絵本があることを知り、さっそく注文しました。阿島さんはTEDでもクライミングへの思いや人々に勇気を与えるメッセージを伝えていますが、この絵本も阿島さんの思いがたくさんつまっています。小学生くらいの子どもでも理解できるような表現で、読み終わったあとは生きる勇気が湧いてきます。絵もとても美しく親しみやすい感じで、阿島さんの魅力を伝えてくれています。
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