Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.89 You Save: $11.10 (62%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.88 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)
Book Review: Enchanting and Beautiful
Summary: 5 Stars
I first overheard my wife reading this book to our children; then I realized what I was listening to and became captivated; Zen stories made accessible to all as they are related by a panda to his neighbors. Then I saw the pictures; the illustrations are of a world you'll long to inhabit--and you may be jealous of the children that they have a neighbor like Stillwater. Tears of joy and satisfaction welled up as I read it, and I realized that I had in my hands a truly wonderful book. The stories that Muth tells through Stillwater (the perfect name for the Zen panda) speak to all of us--I am sure I get something different from their telling than my eight-year-old and four-year-old, but the stories spoke to all of us. There is also tremendous subtlety in the relationship between the story that the children are in, and the ones that they hear from Stillwater. That subtlety was not ultimately lost on me nor my eight-year old, as we shared the wonderful experience of reading this book together.
Every so often, when I discover a book, a movie or a CD, I have the impulse to go out and buy as many copies as I can get my hands on, and share it with everyone I know; that impulse hasn't driven me more than a handful of times. Zen Shorts is one of those books. If I don't know you though, you'll have to buy your own copy--but you won't regret it.
Book Review: Mindfulness For All Ages
Summary: 5 Stars
Jon J. Muth shares with young and not so young readers the enlightenment of storytelling with ZEN SHORTS. The book is a short collection of Japanese zen stories that will engage those who read as well as listen to the tales that are told by the imaginative and wise Giant Panda named Stillwater. He pays three children a visit, Addy, Karl, and Michael, and shares with them three stories about obedience, patience, peace, and kindness: "Uncle Ry and The Moon," "The Farmer's Luck", and "A Heavy Load."
ZEN SHORTS is an attractive looking picture book. The enchanting stories as well as its watercolor and ink paintings accompany each story, and provide a gentle painted canvas of stories derived from Zen Buddhist Literature. Muth illustrated the pictures and based the character Stillwater from Zen artist and teacher Sengai Gibbon.
For those who are familiar with Aesop Fables, this may be an interesting book to add to one's collection. The fascinating part of ZEN SHORTS is that the stories have a universal meaning that is possessed in folklore that have been passed down from generation to generation. And as with folk tales, this particular book is best read aloud where one can hear the tone and enthusiasm of the characters. It will leave an impression for those who encounter this fruitful book.
Book Review: More than a beautiful children's book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a singularly wonderful book for children and adults. The illustrations are beautifully rendered - I particularly love the contrast between the "real time" pictures of Stillwater and his new friends and the more traditionally "Japanese" style pen and ink drawings of the Zen tales themselves. Stillwater himself is cute and appealing for young children, but the stories themselves are just as appropriate for adults and older children. While these are unquestionably tales that teach children valuable life lessons such as sharing and the dangers of anger, etc., they are just as thought provoking for adults and older kids. What I love most is that the stories in this book are not the bland, didactic morality tales that we hear endlessly as children but begin to question as we grow older. There are no obvious, simplistic answers to trite moral situations. Instead we are asked to think. In true Zen form, Stillwater (and, therefore, Muth) is neither preachy nor direct; instead, he allows the children (and the readers) to quietly consider the story and its implications. I am sure that we can all benefit from not hanging on to anger and from adopting a broader view of what we consider to be good or bad luck. Muth as given his readers accessible retelling of famous Zen parables packages in a beautifully appealing format.Book Review: Thank you, Jon Muth, for a beautiful, inspiring book.
Summary: 5 Stars
I discovered this book a week after being diagnosed with endometrial cancer (about 4 days prior to surgery). After my diagnosis I walked around unable to breathe - I felt as if someone was sitting on my chest while simultaneously choking me. Yeah, it was a great time. In an effort to distract myself, I escaped to the library with my nephews.
I found Zen Shorts while looking for a book for my youngest nephew. I sat in the comfy wooden rocking chair in the children's section and read it. I have no idea what the kids were doing in the meantime as once I started reading I became transfixed. Slowly, like air being released from a balloon, I felt the anxiety, pressure and fear lifting. I could breathe again! The stories in the book are timeless and universal, but felt as if they were written expressly for me and the issue/fears I was facing at that time. I can't explain my reaction and I don't know if it would work for others, but it was obviously just the message I needed at a very scary time in my life.
I'll probably never meet Jon Muth, but I think of him often, this gem of a book, and hope he knows the joy, hope and love he spreads in this world. I've since bought copies for all my nephews, godchildren, etc., and told many friends about the book who have also found it endearing.
Book Review: a little piece of zen
Summary: 5 Stars
(I have to write reveiws for a class I'm in so here's mine for this book):
What do you do if a massive panda bear moves in next door? You go and introduce yourself and have a visit of course. Stillwater is a gentle giant of a panda bear who moves next door to Addy, Michael, and Karl. Each child goes to sit with Stillwater and gets a story that gives each of them a different perspective from which to look at life. Stillwater's stories will also resonate with the book's audience and give children of our culture a way of looking at things that may differ from their sense of normal. That is the power this book carries: a fresh outlook that does not overwhelm the reader. Through his likeably wise panda, Muth straddles the fine line and is able to expose some basics of another belief system without going over the top and becoming preachy. The warm and inviting water colors that make up the illustrations set the mood for the panda and contrast dramatically from the bold ink drawings that illustrate Stillwater's stories. This back-and-forth provides a natural separation, allowing the reader to easily follow the varying stories. Stillwater serves as our guide, inviting us to learn about life throughout this elegantly powerful story.