Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein
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Book Reviews of Wabi Sabi
Book Review: Wabi Sabi
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a wonderful book for all ages. Though meant as a book for children I have read it many times and thought about the philosophy of Wabi Sabi. I am a third grade teacher and my class really loved the story and the magnificent art work. The discussions that took place after reading it involved high level thinking skills in understanding the message of the book.
I am an Ed Young fan and love his artwork be it water colors, collage, or otherwise. I went back to admire once again his art in I Wish I were A Butterfly, Tiger of the Snows, Beyond the Mountains, Lon Po Po, and Desert Song - all favorites of mine and used in my teaching. The collage artwork in Wabi Sabi is unique and beautiful, unique because it is made from found materials. My class related to the artwork as they tried to figure out what was used to create each picture. It is intriguing especially when one finds out what Ed Young actually used. From finding the smiley face in one of the rivets, the use of corn husks to create bamboo leaves, to how the artist created the tree bark, it is a book to discuss and discuss from many different angles.
The illustrations certainly deserve the award given to Ed Young by the NY Times. I highly recommend this book to teachers as the discussions about the text and the art can be so rewarding.
Book Review: Wabi Sabi discovers what wabi sabi means
Summary: 5 Stars
On the surface, Wabi Sabi is the story of a cat trying to find the meaning of her name. That story, along with art from the award-winning Young, make this a fine children's book, especially from a first time author. On a deeper level, it introduces the concept of self-identity, wabi sabi (the Chinese and Japanese concept of seeing beauty in simplicity and the ordinary) and haiku. As Wabi Sabi goes looking for the meaning of her name, the various animals and guides along the way explain how they view the concept of wabi sabi through the use of haiku.
The illustrations are multi-media, collage style, and themselves bring the reader to see how ordinary materials can be gathered into a greater-than-its-parts final product. There are also a number of Japanese haiku throughout the book, with translations provided in the back. The only downside that some people may have with the book is that it is read vertically, you lift the pages up, not turn them. In some ways it adds to the book, making it feel like you are reading from a scroll. Either way, Wabi Sabi is a beautiful book, teaching an important concept often overlooked in Western culture.
Book Review: A subtle book that this parent reads most nights to his 3 year old
Summary: 5 Stars
What a wonderful way to expose a young audience to meaningful simplicity. One reviewer said this wasn't a children's book but I guess it depends on the child. Curled up in bed with his dog and his cat my son pays rapt attention to this story. As the reader I was struck by the fact that even the physical pages of the book are thick, I kept thinking I was turning two pages (parents know about one-handed-book-reading), until I realized they had used very thick paper. A nice touch.
If we want our children to see beyond the flashy sound-bite world of TV then we have to give them compelling alternatives. Its never too early to start and this "children's" book is a fine beginning.
Book Review: A Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Wabi Sabi is a children's book with a universal theme -- the quest for self-identity. This timeless motif in literature is beautifully expressed by the author, Mark Reibstein, who weaves an enchanting tale of a cat in search of the meaning of his name. The synthesis of collage art with simple, lyrical passages of haiku throughout the text gives the reader -- both young and old a taste -- nay a morsel -- of Eastern philosophy as embodied by the concept of Wabi Sabi -- finding beauty in the simple, imperfections of every day life. Buy it, read it and savor it. It will make a wonderful stocking stuffer for the children for the holidays!Book Review: Children's book for the soul
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a book for children and adults, a wonderful tale of discovery. The beautiful concept of Wabi Sabi is quietly unfolded in this story, revealing the ancient Chinese/Japanese way of seeing a sort of beauty in the world. It is a wonderful alternative to the fast paced, media driven, technicolor world that most children now live in, it's a perspective and welcome lesson for children and their parents, alike. A simple story with well chosen words, gorgeous visuals and an endearing, sweet Cat at the heart of it, this is highly recommended.