Book Review of The Big Book of Climbing: An Illustrated History of Mountaineering, Bouldering, and Beyond
The Children’s Book Review
The Big Book of Climbing: An Illustrated History of Mountaineering, Bouldering, and Beyond
Written and Illustrated by Ximo Abadía
Ages: 8+ | 64 Pages
Publisher: Tra Publishing (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1-962098-16-8
What to Expect: Mountain history, climbing pioneers, technical equipment, different climbing disciplines, environmental awareness, and cultural significance
In The Big Book of Climbing, artist and climbing enthusiast Ximo Abadía delivers a visually stunning and comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of mountain climbing through bold, stylized illustrations and accessible yet informative text.
This large-format book expertly chronicles the evolution of climbing from its earliest recorded ascents in the 6th century through contemporary achievements, including climbing’s debut as an Olympic sport in Tokyo 2020. Abadía thoughtfully explores the diverse disciplines within climbing—from traditional mountaineering to sport climbing, bouldering, solo climbing, and even para climbing—while highlighting the technical equipment and specialized terminology that has developed alongside the sport.
The balanced presentation of climbing pioneers from around the world gives equal attention to groundbreaking female climbers like Marie Paradis, Annie Peck, Wanda Rutkiewicz, and Lynn Hill alongside their male counterparts—their biographical snapshots provide inspirational examples of human perseverance, innovation, and courage while contextualizing the historical development of climbing techniques and equipment. The vital contributions of Sherpa mountaineers are thoughtfully acknowledged, and there’s an important section on climbing sustainability and environmental awareness, which emphasizes responsible practices to protect fragile mountain ecosystems for future generations. To top it all off, a comprehensive glossary makes terminology accessible to readers of all experience levels.
Vibrant, contemporary illustrations employ a striking color palette dominated by blues, reds, and yellows against dramatic silhouettes that capture both the technical aspects of climbing and its inherent beauty. The artistic style makes complex equipment and techniques accessible while conveying the majesty of iconic mountain landscapes from the Himalayas to Yosemite’s El Capitan and Half Dome.
As Nat Geo Explorer Pete McBride notes, this is truly “an epic introduction to the wide world of mountaineering and climbing” that will inspire young readers to “lace ’em up and get out there and explore.” The Big Book of Climbing has been recognized by the 2024 BolognaRagazzi Awards jury for its “historical insights” and “original graphic and illustrative layout,” Solidifying its status as an invaluable resource for school libraries, outdoor education programs, and young adventure enthusiasts.
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About the Author and Illustrator
Ximo Abadía is an illustrator, graphic designer, and climbing enthusiast. His passion for drawing began as a young boy doodling on his desk in class. Now an internationally recognized author and illustrator of children’s books, graphic novels, and comics, his illustrations have appeared at prestigious fairs and festivals like Bologna and Angoulême. Originally from Alicante, he currently lives in Madrid.
