Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains

by Anita Yasuda, Yuko Shimizu (Illustrator)

A picture book biography about Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Everest.

Junko Tabei dreamed of a life climbing mountains. But men refused to climb with her. Sponsors told her to stay home. And gloves were not made to fit her hands. Junko, eager and unstoppable, wouldn’t let these obstacles get in her way. Instead, she planned an expedition to summit Mount Everest with an all-women team. Battling icy peaks, deep crevasses, and even an avalanche, Junko refused to give up. She climbed step by step . . . up, up, ever up! After summiting the world’s tallest peak, Junko took on a new challenge - protecting the wild spaces she loved for future generations.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, Adventure, Nature, Sports

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2024

About the author

Author of UP, UP, EVER UP: JUNKO TABEI'S PIONEERING EVEREST CLIMB, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu (Clarion, 2024)- a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection, DIWALI: A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, illustrated by Darshika Varma (Penguin Random House, 2024), and BOLLYWOOD BEAT, illustrated by Devika Oza (Kids Can Press, 2026), as well as many other children's books. Represented by Lori Steel of SteelWorks Literary.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

On May 16, 1975, Junko became the first woman to summit Mt. Everest. This is a very well illustrated story about how her perseverance in the climbing world led to this success, and then to the organizations she founded.

This is in the kids' section of the library, and has words slightly bigger so I think late-elementary is appropriate. (Preparation, bustling, trailblazing, chortens, crevasses, koinobori flag).

This sure sounds like a movie could be made. Avalanche almost wiped out her team. Bare-bones finances had them making much of their own clothes/equipment. By 1992 she had conquered the seven summits - first for a woman.

She established climbing club for women. Returned to Nepal with local people helping her to clean up litter from the many climbers' camps that get left behind.

Very inspirational. Another kid-book very appropriate for all ages!

4.5*
small -0.5 for the slightly big words for kids. A small (13 words) glossary in the back helps. I think these word/definitions could/should have been right at the bottom of each of the pages where it is used.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-done biography of a very determined person. But reading it really makes me realize how massively stupid mountain climbing is. Leave the mountain alone, ya moronic adrenaline junkies!

[Karen Witzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book story of the Japanese mountain climber Junko Tabei - the first woman to summit Everest. Quite serious undertones of dangerous adventure and environmental degradation and her subsequent interest in clean-up and rehabilitation.

Caldecott Medal Nominee (2025)

[Stephanie Gibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a work of art – both the words and the illustrations. Yasuda’s gorgeous literary language tells the reader about Junko Tabei and her incredible adventures climbing mountains, including leading the first all-woman team up Mount Everest. Junko was always forging ahead despite the obstacles around her, and the book’s message of perseverance is inspiring. As is the information about Junko’s environmental stewardship. She didn’t just conquer the mountains, she protected them too. Shimizu’s art is breath-taking and a perfect match for the poetic text. The illustration of Junko as a young girl with mountains inside her head is as stunning as the sakura blossoms that surround her. The fascinating back matter includes an author’s note, timeline, glossary, and selected bibliography. This will be an award-winner for sure and I highly recommend it for homes, schools, and libraries.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and an inspiring story of the first woman to climb Everest, who went on to organize environmental protection for mountains.

Spectacular illustrations and lyrical text reveal the dynamic, change-making life of a supremely joyful and determined Japanese woman. From childhood Junko’s love of mountains fueled a dream to climb. Pushing back against conventions and constraints Junko led the first women’s Everest expedition, becoming the first female to summit. More than a mountaineer, she spearheaded international efforts to clean up decades of climbing waste, preserving the landscape she loved. Dynamically colored and patterned india ink and digital illustrations borrow from Japanese woodblock prints, manga, and Marc Chagall. Every spread is a visually rich story in itself. Back matter includes author’s note, timeline, glossary, source notes, and bibliography.

[Steena Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning nonfiction biography of Junko Tabei and her courage and bravery as the first woman to summit Everest. Readers will want to enjoy this beautifully crafted book again and again, taking in the brilliant art and lyrical text on each page. Junko’s determination through discrimination and even an avalanche couldn’t stop her from reaching the top of the mountain. And her story doesn’t end at the top of Everest, as we get another glimpse into her environmental efforts to preserve and clean up trash from the mountains she so loves. A powerful message of achieving your dreams, despite the obstacles, and climbing up, up, ever up!

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book biography about Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Everest, will inspire kids and adults alike! Anita Yasuda’s words are lyrical and evocative and Yuko Shimizu’s illustrations are full of movement and life. The language and art pair perfectly to show Junko’s resilience as well as her passion for climbing and her resolve to travel up, up, ever up.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

With striking illustrations, this is an inspiring picture book biography of Junko Tabel, a Japanese mountaineer and the first woman to summit Mt. Everest. This not only tells of her lifelong passion for mountain climbing and her efforts to encourage other women climbers, but also her efforts to clean up the trash other climbers have left behind. An empowering story with a heartfelt message about following your dreams while still protecting the environment. And don't miss the informative material at the back! A useful book to include in units about mountains and green cleanup projects.

From the author's note: "In 1990, Junko became head of the Himalayan Adventure Trust of Japan . . . members encouraged public awareness about waste in Japan through organized 'Take in - Take out' campaigns on popular hiking trails."

[Jennifer Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an advance review copy of this—though I should admit that it took forever to read it. That’s because I kept stopping to study Yuko Shimizu’s art. I went through it twice for the gorgeous illustrations before I went back and read the text in full. It was worth it! The story of Junko Tabei is fascinating. Yasuda carries the reader along through compelling prose and the idea of upward momentum—the title serves as the refrain. And yet, reaching the peak of the mountain is not the end of the story; instead, Yasuda details how Tabei became an environmentalist. It’s a great choice to include this, showing the “and now what”—reaching the goal isn’t the end of the story. I also appreciate that it forwards the relationship with nature not simply as conquering something, but in relation to stewardship. This is such a gorgeous book, and I can already imagine the award nominations it will generate.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I needed to climb and to be along the peaks. The rocky landscape had become a part of me,” Junko Tabei once said of her desire for higher ground. This picture book bio chronicles Junko’s ascent to fulfill her highest ambition of becoming the first woman to scale Mt. Everest. She went on to climb many more peaks around the globe, including the mountains of trash left behind by other thoughtless mountaineers through her “Take in—Take out” environmental awareness campaign and the Junko Tabei Foundation. Dynamic illustrations with Asian brushwork flourishes depict the high points of Junko’s extraordinary life. End pages include more biographical information, a timeline of peak events, a glossary of Japanese and mountaineering terms, source notes, and a selected bibliography.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a woman from Japan who climbed Mt Everest . First woman ever to this.

[Elizabeth C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of note for the Freeman Book Awards and a Caldecott Honor Book, this picture book tells the life story of Junko Tabei, a Japanese woman born in 1939 who develops a love of mountain climbing and pursues her passion throughout her lifetime. The book describes how her passion to climb developed as a child and continued throughout her lifetime, even in an era when women were not allowed or encouraged to climb in most Japanese climbing organizations. Eventually Junko plans to climb Mount Everest with an all-women climbing team. After an avalanche, only Junko and her guide are able to complete the climb to the summit, and they are the first women to ascend Everest. After this milestone Junko continues to climb and comes to develop an awareness for sustainable mountaineering. She helps to implement "pack in-pack out" standards and organize volunteers to clean up trash left behind by climbers. Junko's life is one of exploration and meeting challenges, and this picture book joyfully tells her story.
The language in the book, oringally in Japanese and translated into English, is rich with descriptive imagery and climbing vocabulary, and conveys the passion and joy of Junko's life and career as a mountain climber. The illustrations are detailed and colorful and create wonderful visual supports to help readers understand where Junko grew up, how and where she climbed, and how she changed over time. At the end of the book there is an author's note that includes a short biography of Junko's life, a timeline of major events, and a glossary of Japanese terms that were used in the story.
This book is appropriate for second to fifth grade, and could be used as a read aloud to introduce biography or sequence of events to younger students. With students at the older end of this age range, they can explore cause and effect or problem and solution. They can also explore themes of determination, human's relationship to nature, or research some of the geographic locations described in the text.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the June & July 2025: Caldecott discussion in the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

Inspiring. More focused than many biographies; doesn't attempt to tell of family life as a child for example. Glorious art, graceful text, engaging, with plenty of back matter. Important role model. Tabei has written several books herself, actually!

[Dolly]

This book was featured in the June & July 2025: Caldecott Winners and Honor Books of 2024 and 2025 discussion in the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming lyrical biography about a trailblazing woman who didn't let people tell her she couldn't do something stand in her way. This story will inspire everyone and give little girls someone to emulate. I have no idea if schools in the United States read about Junko Tabei, but if they don't, teachers will want to get this book for their library. Her story is impressive, and she provides a great role model for children.

When she left her home in Miharu for Tokyo's gray concrete and noisy streets, she longed for her white-capped mountains and looked for a Mountaineering club. She heard, "No Women Allowed,” until she found one that said, “Yes!” So, each weekend, she joined the men in the club to climb granite knolls. This is where she met others who loved
mountains as much as she did, fell in love with one of them, and married him. Little by little, Junko brought other women climbers eager to reach the mountaintops. It is amazing how one person can influence so many people.

When sponsors told her to stay home and raise her children, she and her friend repurposed what they had to what they needed. I love the illustration where, after years of preparation, we see her husband holding their baby and waving goodbye to his wife as she leaves to make the biggest climb of her life. I thought how fortunate she was to have a strong husband standing behind her and cheering her on.

By the time Junko and her fellow climbers landed in Nepal, word had spread that the first woman was going to climb Mt. Everest, and villagers walked as far away as three days to help carry the team’s 15 tons of gear and follow her as she started her climb. But all the preparation couldn't stop her and others from the avalanche that buried them in their tents one night. The Sherpas escaped, and despite the danger, they clawed at the mound of snow and ice until they freed each climber. But there was only enough oxygen for two people to continue to the top, so Junko and her Sherpa climbed the rest of the way, and she made history. That didn't slow her down.  Anita wrote, "She kept carving paths for women, One peak at a time, from China to Argentina. But she never stopped thinking about the beauty of the Himalayas."

Teachers and children will love The Author's Note, where the readers learn about how Junko returned to Mt. Everest and discovered all the garbage and trash left behind by the thousands of other climbers who followed her and in 1990, Junko became head of the Himalayan Adventure Trust of Japan (HAT-J), a nonprofit environmental group. Members encouraged public awareness about waste in Japan through organized “Take-in and Take-out” campaigns on popular hiking trails. They also organized teams of Nepali volunteers to clean up garbage left behind by climbers and expeditions on Everest.

Everyone will love learning about Junko Tabei. Everyone will love Yuko Shimizu's illustrations with her Japanese calligraphy brush, specifically made for Buddhist sutras, and black India ink to make drawings on watercolor paper. They are perfect for this book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the aspects of this picture book biography that I most appreciate is how the author not only describes Junko Tabei's formative years and her climb to the top of Mount Everest, but how she highlights her efforts to clean up and protect the area in the years afterward, something that it seems other climbers had not been as concerned about. The story is inspiring since she had to deal with sexist attitudes toward women climbers and form her own expedition, eventually becoming the first woman to summit Everest, a feat only a handful of individuals had accomplished at that time (1975). The text is rich with culturally specific terms related to Nepal as well as to mountain climbing; for instance, these: "egg-scented air," "a slope bristling with boulders," "air thick as a mug of butter tea," and "the jangle of yak bells and the grunt of voices," among others. All of these descriptions take readers along Tabei's journey. And the artwork! Oh, my! Rendered with a Japanese calligraphy brush and black India ink and then colored digitally, the illustrations are breathtaking, layered, and as complex as the book's subject. The opening double-page spread, for instance, show Junko's head filled with images of mountain peaks as pink sakura blossoms float around her. The next double-page spread is just as interesting, depicting the ten-year-old girl and her classmates climbing a mountain, one much smaller than Everest. Later, when she and her all-women team are in Nepal, the double-page spread is crowded with the faces of her Nepali supporters, almost overwhelming her with kindness. Two pages later, the illustrator carefully uses white space as the team heads upward, snow almost obliterating them and their path, marked by a vivid red rope. The courage and determination to keep climbing against adverse weather conditions and to push for change in how others treated the mountain serve as great reminders and sources of information for youngsters today. Tabei's step-by-step approach to life and mountain climbing and the entreaty to go "Up, up, and ever up!" (unpaged) are great pieces of advice to the rest of us. Having adored the illustrator's work in The Cat Man of Aleppo, I'm pleased to see that this illustrator continues to adorn children's books with her beautiful, precise work. It's clear that she immerses herself in her projects. The 2025 Caldecott Honor was well deserved.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 Caldecott Honor Book.
Artist Yuko Shimizu used a specially designed calligraphy brush made for Buddhist sutra and black India Ink to create her drawings on watercolor paper and then used Adobe Photoshop to digitally color her drawings to create the brilliant, expressive, exuberant illustration for this picture book biography of Junko Ishibashi Tabriz, the first woman to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. Her lively and vivid illustrations show us the beauty of the Japanese countryside, its exquisite flowers, elegant clothes and customs, and most of all the joy of Junko who loved mountain climbing. The illustrations are just as joyous!

Junco persevered despite many obstacles and nay-saying clubs and people. She married a fellow mountain climber, created clothing and gear to fit her, brought together an all women’s team of climbers. Despite a life threatening avalanche, with diminishing oxygen supplies, only Junko and her guide Ang Tsering Sherpa made it to the Summit on May 15, 1975. She was the first woman to reach the summit. She went on to climb more summits and to initiate ecological activities to preserve her beloved mountains, gathering litter, recycling, planting orchards sh spoke at environmental conferences urging protection of mountain ecosystems.
The Author’s Note and Timeline provide much more information. Junko became the first woman to climb the seven summits: Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, and Puncak Jaya. She won many awards, earned graduate degrees, spoke at international symposium, encouraged women’s mountaineering, and when she died, she had climbed the highest mountains and more than 70 countries. Her humanitarian work continues through the establishment of the Junko Tabei foundation.
I found this to be the most visually And tracing and exciting picture book that I have read this year. The author also won a Caldicott Honor for her 2020 book The Cat Man of Aleppo.

[Helen Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don’t know who Junko Tabei was let Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, Art by Yuko Shimizu introduce you to the first woman to climb Mount Everest! It beautifully conveys, in both words and pictures, the powerful message of what can come from pursuing a dream against all odds.

Readers find out that at a young age, “a dream formed within Junko: to climb.” And climb she did, even though at the time gloves were only made for men and most mountaineering clubs didn't allow women! So, she connected with other women and they made their own climbing clothing and club.

“Among the jangle of yak bells and the grunt of voices, Junko trekked through dusty villages and blue pine forests.

The wind whispered prayers for a safe climb as Everest’s summit rose before her.

Up, up, and ever up!”

Teamwork, a love of nature, and protecting the environment were important to Junko and this is conveyed throughout the book. During her lifetime, she climbed the world’s highest mountains and inspired women climbers everywhere. She protected the mountains, too. Later in her life Junko led efforts to collect litter on the Everest she loved.

“Discarded tents fluttered like feathery birch bark under the shimmering sun, and oxygen canisters blazed on the ice as if Autumn had tinted the Himalayas.”

Junko Tabei’s story is remarkable but the language used to tell the story is so poetic and what makes reading an absolute pleasure. All sorts of images were conjured up because of metaphors like above used to describe the litter and “dragon’s roar” to describe an avalanche. And then there’s the detailed imaginative illustrations! Junko Tabei's story comes to life on these pages.

There is additional back matter, including an author’s note, timeline, glossary, and selected bibliography.

International Women’s Day is March 8th this year, the perfect time to pick up this book and read the inspiring story of a woman who dared to dream and never gave up.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great nonfiction book for children, with lively illustrations. The illustrations each take up a two page spread, which was a lovely design choice that allows for an immersive book.

My favorite illustration was Junko exchanging her prim office worker’s uniform for a mountaineering getup, as she strides happily through a door from the streetcar platform to the forest. The scene of Junko and her fellow female climbers magically bounding through the sky toward Nepal, with Junko’s proud husband and daughter waving her goodbye, is also beautiful.

I liked learning about Junko’s efforts to blaze a trail, both literally and figuratively, to help other women in mountaineering. I also admire her environmental activism tackling the issue of litter left behind on Everest by the ever growing numbers of mountaineers.

Does anyone know what a “camel ridge” refers to on page 6? The next line is “cloud catchers” which seems to reference Kumotoriyama, but I couldn’t parse the phrase “camel ridge”.

Last thing, take a look at Junko’s Wikipedia page. There are two great photographs of her that say a lot about her spirit, as well as this great tidbit that wasn’t mentioned (understandably given the young audience) in the book: “​​She never accepted corporate sponsorship after Mount Everest, preferring to remain financially independent. She saved money to fund her expeditions by making paid public appearances, guiding mountain-climbing tours, and tutoring local children in music and English.” Such a champ!

4 / 5 stars. An outstanding illustrated biography for young children, about a trailblazing woman who succeeded in a male dominated world.

[Sarah Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated biography tells the story of Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest. Despite the obstacles and dangers she routinely faced throughout her career, she kept going—”up, up, ever up!”—until she succeeded. Then she set her mind to protecting the mountains she loved for future generations.

Evocative, poetic prose (“Among the jangle of yak bells and the grunt of voices, Junko trekked through dusty villages and blue pine forests.”) is paired with complex scenes in double-page spreads. In one fantastical scene, a series of Junkos are shown climbing ridges while a giant-sized Junko sits atop the summit next to her husband and child; in another scene, a group of climbers traverse the sky to Nepal alongside an airplane.

Yuko Shimizu’s digitally-colored calligraphy illustrations shift perspective from scene to scene to better match the mood of the text. For instance, when the climbing team is atop Everest, the artist pulls back to give the reader a sense of the climbers’ smallness against the white vastness of the mountain. On the next double-page spread, the reader sees the scene from closely behind the climbers; this new perspective puts the reader into the climbers’ shoes, emphasizing the awe, terror, and confusion the avalanche evoked.

Readers interested in learning more about Junko Tabei will delight in back matter that includes a timeline, glossary, and bibliography.

Recommended for purchase for ages 5-10. Thanks to HarperCollins for the copy via the Southeast Ohio Young Adult Media Group.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick con first: 4yo gave a thumbs down - it just didn’t quite capture her attention.

Pros:
1) clearly a lot of work went into researching both text and art
2) the text has lovely imagery that pulls from Japanese reference points (“the size of a tatami mat”) and a glossary that translates some of Japanese and Nepali words and phrases used BUT I would have liked more soft definitions in the text - even punctuation could have helped link concepts.
3) I like the choice of an outstanding Japanese illustrator; I like the illustrator’s choice to use hair/jackets/other uniformly-colored shapes to illustrate bonus scenes on the page.
4) I like the unquestioning assumption that a woman with a family has the right to follow her passions and the naming of the sherpas on Hillary and Tabei’s climbs.
5) bonus points for any non-fiction picture book with a glossary, bibliography, and adult-oriented epilogue/note.

Cons:
1) vibes are very lyrical and slow, which contrasts with both the drama of Junko’s challenges and the ongoing climber trash/mountain ecosystem problem.
2) it feels like a lot of Junko’s challenges are hand-waved away. Many climbing clubs said no? She found one that said yes. But maybe we could have ramped up the drama a bit by depicting several NOs first.

3.5-4 stars.

Filed under:
-international development
-mountaineering
-environmental studies
-geography study: Japan, Nepal
-biography: women, firsts
-art: Japanese

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up, Up, Ever Up! combines captivating prose with breathtaking illustrations to create an immersive reading experience. Anita Yasuda’s masterful use of literary language draws readers into Junko’s world, allowing them to experience her journey alongside her. Through rich descriptions and evocative language, readers feel the weight of Junk’s dreams and the significance of her journey as a woman. The vivid portrayal of the natural world and sensory details add depth to the narrative, making it truly unforgettable.

The award-winning illustrator Yuko Shimizu’s breathtaking artwork in Up, Up, Ever Up! is a testament to her talent. Her illustrations capture the majesty of the mountains and the beauty of the natural world and bring the story to life in stunning detail, making this book a visual masterpiece.

I highly recommend Up, Up, Ever Up! for readers of all ages. This picture book is captivating and inspiring, whether enjoyed at home, in the classroom, or at the library. The comprehensive backmatter, including an author’s note, timeline, glossary, and selected bibliography, adds value to the reading experience, making it an excellent educational resource.

With its compelling storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and informative content, Up, Up, Ever Up! is positioned to be an award-winning picture book that belongs on every bookshelf.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely book should inspire many who have been told "you can't".

Junko Tabei was a young girl growing up in Japan when she realized that she liked climbing mountains. She was told "no women allowed" many times before she finally found one that said "yes". She faced many obstacles and overcame them - forming her own all-women's climbing group, manufacturing their own supplies and equipment (because the equipment was designed to fit men), and setting her sights on being the first woman to climb Mt. Everest. After that, she climbed many other mountains and joined in the cleanup of trash left behind by climbers on Mt. Everest. Backmatter includees an author's note, timelines of Tabei's accomplishments, a glossary of terms, source notes, and a select bibliography consulted by the author.

Artwork by Yukp Shimizu was rendered by using Japanese calligraphy brushes and black India ink to make the drawings on watercolor paper, then color was added digitally using Photoshop. They are stunning in their beauty. There is alot of Japanese symbolism and art style incorporated into the work - particularly noticeable in the clouds in the sky, the gas from the hot springs, the patterns on fabric, and the joy in Tabei's face. So much detail!

Use this during Women's History Month, studies on Japan and its culture, mountain climbing, and sports heroes.

Recommended for grades K-5.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junko Tabei was born in Japan and dreamed of climbing mountains. When she was ten, she climbed Mount Chausu with friends. But mountaineering clubs then were just for boys. Finally she found a club that allowed women and spent joyful weekends climbing.
She married a fellow mountain climber who supported her dream of leading an expedition of women to climb Mt. Everest. Up, up, and ever up. When she was 30, she established the Women's Climbing Club.(Joshi-Tohan). Two years later they started planning their ascent of Mt. Everest. They overcame many challenges - including an avalanche on Everest. But Junko refused to give up. She kept climbing and became the first woman to summit Everest in 1975. Junko kept climbing, one peak at a time, and writing, and studying. Blazing trails for other women climbers. She returned to Everest but this time it was to collect trash left by other climbers. She helped plant trees in Nepal and spoke at conferences encouraging the protection of mountain ecosystems and encouraging sustainable mountaineering.
She climbed the highest mountains in over 70 countries. And - a mountain range on Pluto is named after her!
Biographical info, a timeline, and an extensive list of references are included.

This is my second biography of Junko and she is a truly inspirational person.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! Another Memoir children’s book where I learn so much. I had no idea that Junko Tabei was the first woman to climb mount Everest. She reached the summit in 1975. Amazing. This woman who was Japanese loved to climb mountains. She met her husband climbing and they love it together. She formed a women’s group for climbing and they climb Everest together. She then went all over the world climbing mountains and being the first woman to do so. What a woman.

After a time, she realized Everest was becoming junky. Everyone left their trash. She organized and helped clean it up. Save gave conservation talks and became a world leader in climbing etiquette.

The artwork was done in a Calligraphy brush and colored digitally. The art captures the mountains pretty well. The views could be grander, but it gives the feeling of being up above the world just find.There is energy in the artwork.

People are so interesting. I’m glad some author brought this person forward. Thank you. Kids interested in history, mountain climbing and women doing first will love this book.

This is a Caldecott honor. While this is a good book, I don't feel the artwork was so cutting edge it deserved this award.

[Amanda Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Up, Up, Ever Up! Anita Yasuda shows an incredible story of Junko Tabei, the first woman to ever climb Mount Everest. But perhaps more exciting, Junko leads the first all-women team on that climb. Through Yuko Shimizu’s sumptuous, wood-block inspired illustrations, we see Junko’s devotion to a life in the mountains. “Finding joy on camel ridges, cloud catchers, and craters wide and flat.” But for me, even more meaningful is her dedication to protecting mountain ecosystems throughout the world. Throughout her life, she led others into the mountains to clean up the garbage left behind by climbers. She campaigned for responsible tourism. She planted apple trees in Nepal to help woman to earn a more sustainable living. Her life was dedicated to the protection of the planet. Clearly, she was changed by her moment where the “earth met sky” and she stood on “a snowy patch, no larger than a tatami mat.” It’s a story of someone who has a dream and then, having accomplished it, goes on to the even greater good of giving back to society. A remarkable and inspiring woman, whose story is lovingly told by Yasuda and Shimizu.

[Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for an interactive read aloud in grades 1-3. Yasuda's beautiful writing leaves room for our students to make their own inferences. (LOVE her use of language - She met someone who loved mountains as much as she did. They married and became a family of three peaks.) Lots of room to ask questions like, "What does the author mean by that?"

Shimizu's art is vibrant and expressive, easily sweeping readers into the bigger ideas in the story. Check out the illustration of Tabei's all-women group leaving for Nepal - images of the women in their gear fly through the sky...trailing the plane. Another great opportunity to ask students, "What is the illustrator trying to reveal here?"

Just a note - Depending on who your students are, you might want to build a little background knowledge about mountain climbing, Mt. Everest, as well as Japan (where Tabei was from).

I'd PARTNER THIS BOOK WITH - Sarah and the Big Wave: The True Story of the First Woman to Surf Mavericks. Lots of parallels. Found it intriguing that in both books, the authors mention the women having to create their own gear because the relevant gear was made for men.

[Solange Guillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up, Up, Ever Up is a beautifully illustrated and deeply inspiring biography of Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest. The artwork is absolutely stunning—each page captures the majesty of the mountains and the quiet determination that fueled Junko’s incredible journey.

The book does a wonderful job not only celebrating her historic climbing achievements but also shining a light on her deep love for the natural world. As the founder of the Himalayan Adventure Trust of Japan, Junko dedicated herself to protecting the mountains she loved so much. Her environmental advocacy, especially her efforts to preserve fragile alpine ecosystems, adds a powerful layer to her legacy.

This is more than just a story about reaching the summit—it’s about courage, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to adventure and conservation. A truly uplifting and important read for young readers and adults alike.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Junko's hill was her entire world.

Premise/plot: Up, Up Ever Up! is a picture book biography of mountain climber and activist Junko Tabei. It recently earned a Caldecott Honor.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. Books about mountain climbing aren't really "my thing" if you will. But I do try to keep up with the Newbery and Caldecott winners and honors. And I do enjoy a good nonfiction picture book biography. I think this one will appeal to readers who do like adventure-y outdoors sports. There are so many good-to-great nonfiction biographies that kids can read these days.

As for the rating. I have gone back and forth a dozen times between three stars and four stars. I have. This book was just made for a three and half star rating. (Which I don't do because GoodReads doesn't do).

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books written for children are not just for children! This book is a great example of that....I had not heard of Junko Tabei, but after reading this and perusing the art, I have a good understanding of her life and her mission. The author's words and the illustrator's work complement each other beautifully, bringing to life this forward-thinking woman who broke the barriers that were preventing women from pursuing mountain-climbing. And not only that, she worked for responsible stewardship of the mountains and started tree-planting to help the people of Nepal and the Himalayan Mountains. The art is especially striking, the imaginative nature of the art, the bold colors and the juxtaposition of the warm colors of the people with the cool colors of the snowy mountains. Beautiful.

2025 Caldecott Honor