Christine Taylor-Butler has written more than sixty books for children, including biographies, state histories, and several science and fiction series. She is also the author of the award-winning Sacred Mountain, published by Lee & Low Books. An avid reader since she was a child, Taylor-Butler believes that for many children books are their introduction to the vast diversity on our planet. Taylor-Butler is a past president of the Missouri Writers Guild, sits on the board of their children's literature chapter, and is a member of the MIT Regional Educational

Council. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband and their two daughters. Visit her online at ChristinTaylorButler.com.

A photo-essay exploring the cultural, geological, and ecological history of Mount Everest, focusing on the indigenous Sherpa and their spiritual connection to the mountain, record-setting climbing expeditions, and the effects of tourism on the environment.