 |
||||||
| Home >> Book Reviews >> Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book) | ||||||
 |
Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book) Review
User Submitted Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book) ReviewsNovember 17, 2008 I'm so glad I ordered this book, it's as good for me as it is for the children I share it with "There's a bear outside" Yes Stillwater has arrived in the back yard with his large red umbrella. He is a kind, poite and gentle Panda. After the children have formally met Stillwater they each take turns visiting him, upon each visit Stillwater has a story to tell the children. Each story is a lesson in achieving zen. It's quite lovely, the pictures change from the beautiful watercolor of the world of Stillwater and the children to a different - simpler form of illustration when Stillwater tells a story - which was an extremely effective way to see that you were now inside Stillwater's stories. The first story stillwater tells is about his Uncle Ry who catches a robber in his house and gives him what he has. The second story Stillwater tells is about luck, somethings that may seem like great luck at first could be bad luck, and bad luck could be good luck. The last story is the story of the monks, one physically carries a woman and the other is carrying a grudge about her. All of the stories leave room for discussion if you want to go there, or you can simply read the book and let your children absorb what they will. This book left us in a very peaceful state. The age recommendation is 4 to 8, I think this is appropriate. I think at 6 or above your children will be more prone to abosrb the stories of zen. However, the book is very charming and likeable for your [...]. July 29, 2008 Reminds me of a japanese animation 'Totoro' 'Totoro' was the first thought that entered my mind when I saw this book. The author must have had some influence from the animation and nothing wrong with that. It is a beautifully water colored book and the familiar stories that I've heard as a child. June 9, 2008 Wonderful Book! This book is amazing...not only are the pictures great, the story is one that you will want to read to your kids over and over. Zen Shorts has touching stories within an already creative and heartfelt book. June 9, 2008 Zen Shorts Great book for your preschooler and for you. The beautiful pictures capture the imagination, and the concepts introduced in the stories are springboards for conversation with your child (and can be just the right message for you after a long day). May 23, 2008 Provoke Thinking! As powerful for adults as well as children, Zen Shorts is a wonderful book that promotes deep critical thinking and discussion on topics such as family relationships, friendships, respect, disrespect, gratitude, greed, giving, taking, selfishness, selflessness, material attachments, material detachment, actions and consequences, luck, communication, anger, and togetherness. It is the kind of book that should be read and discussed in reading circles or at family time or bed time. For students who are beginning to study concepts in Eastern philosophy, this little book is approachable and the intended wisdom within one's grasp. My favorite story portion of the book is "Uncle Ry and the Moon." My favorite illustration is the ones that depict the panda and Addy painting and eating. May 1, 2008 Zen Shorts Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth is about Michel, Addy, Karl and a panda named Stillwater. Stillwater's umbrella lands in their backyard. He went to retrieve it before it would become a nuisance. This is how Addy, Michel and Karl met Stillwater. The day after Addy went to have tea with Stillwater. He was in a big yellow tent with a long red flag on it. He told her a story about his Uncle Ry and a robber. The day after Michel went to visit Stillwater. He was in a tree. He told him a story about two rabbits and luck. The day after Karl went to visit Stillwater. They went swimming. Stillwater told him a story about two monks and a puddle. This is how Addy, Michel, Karl and Stillwater became friends. Stillwater is a good story teller. He told good understandable stories. Simple things in life reminded him of stories. I like the way the author put stories in a story. The normal illustrations were colourful while the illustrations for the short story were cartoony. By Nik April 21, 2008 Wonderful. Buy this book! Moral philosophy for kids - and their parents. My three year old likes the stories as much as I do. The messages are delivered simply so that you take from them your own meaning to your degree of understanding. We try to read Zen Shorts in the mornings to remind us of more peaceful ways to approach the day. I really can't recommend this book enough. April 20, 2008 Beautiful Book The illustrations are georgeous. There are moral stories based on some Zen principles within the main story line. My son is only two, but he loves the pictures (and the Chinese Marlon Brando voice I use for the panda) and I think he'll grow into the story. April 1, 2008 So smooth. I love when lessons are presented in such a way that a child would not recognize that they are learning anything. This is a gently presented story. The book reminds me of Aesop's Fables. I will be purchasing more books by Jon Muth. February 5, 2008 Delightful! Who knew? Zen can be fun. Well, I thought so, but it sure is wonderful to come across a book with a terrific sense of humor (both visually and in the text) that also conveys values. Other reviews do a terrific job capturing what's great about this book, so I will only add that I have found this book to be valuable while trying to teach my pre-K child about managing anger and disappointment: the juxtaposition of the classic zen tale about "carrying" anger with the child's experience of it could have been heavy-handed, but the joyfulness conveyed by the illustrations and Stillwater's gentle, gentle guidance combine to make the lesson resonate without coming down like an anvil. We now talk of "putting down our anger" in our house and it has made all of us (kids and adults) more centered. A perfect, quiet bedtime read. And the covers of Muth's books, when matted and framed, make for great bedroom posters! For more Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book) reviews click here.
|
|||||
 |
|
|
||||
| Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Contact Us | ||||||
| ©2005 Book Savers, All rights reserved. | ||||||
and Preschoolers