Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)
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Book Summary Information
Illustrator: Jon J MuthEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-03-01
ISBN: 0439339111
Number of pages: 40
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780439339117
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
- Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices
Book Reviews of Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)
Book Review: Three Tales From The Zen Tradition
Summary: 5 Stars
Comic book artist and fantasy illustrator Jon J. Muth goes for something a bit different here with a childrens picture book of stories based on Zen Buddhism.
The framing story involves three siblings who wake up one morning to discover a talking panda named Stillwater in their back yard. Stillwater, who the author based on the 19th century zen teacher Sengai Gibbon, teaches valuable lessons to each of the children in the form of stories.
Addy learns about the value of beauty and the transience of possessions in the story of "Uncle Ry and the Moon".
Karl shows up at Stillwater's home angry about his older brother always bossing him around. Stillwater's story of "A Heavy Load" teaches him a lesson about what can happen when one holds onto bad feelings.
And Michael learns about how luck is in the eye of the beholder through the story of "The Farmer's Luck", which is a traditional story from the Taoist tradition.
The scenes involving Stillwater and the children are gorgeously illustrated in vivid watercolors, and the "stories within the story" are done in pen-and-ink.
Although based on the traditions of Zen, this is not what I would describe as a religious book. The Buddha is never mentioned in the story, and only barely in the author's note at the end. Rather, it is a collection of tales with subtle lessons that will leave the readers thinking and puzzling. It's a nice break from some childrens books where the "moral of the story" is simply spelled out at the end.
Muth's illustrations are absolutely charming, and they do a nice job of filling in gaps in the story. This illustrations don't just repeat what is in the words. They add to the tale in a realyl beautiful way, and there are some nice little touches of humor in the artwork as well.
Summary of Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)
"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addie he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.Picture Books
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