Stillwater the giant panda meets Addy, Michael, and Karl when his big, red umbrella blows from his backyard into their backyard. He retrieves it and begins a friendship with each of them. The children take turns visiting Stillwater and he shares a story, based on Zen Buddhist literature, with each child. The three stories, Uncle Ry and the Moon, A Heavy Load, and The Farmer's Luck have been retold in many ways over hundreds and; in the case of The Farmer's Luck; thousands of years.
Jon J. Muth's books for children have won awards for both illustration and writing. With Caldecott Honor Book Zen Shorts Mr. Muth retells three stories; two folk tales from Zen Buddhist literature, and one from Taoist oral tradition. The large watercolor illustrations that accompany each story compliment and enhance the peaceful, loving attitude of gentle Stillwater the panda. Children in kindergarten through grade four will enjoy this unique and entertaining introduction to Asian folk tales.
Review excerpt from Booklist: "Muth's latest is both an accessible, strikingly illustrated story and a thought-provoking meditation. Here he incorporates short Buddhist tales, "Zen Shorts," into a story about three contemporary children. One rainy afternoon, a giant panda appears in the backyard of three siblings. Stillwater, the Panda, introduces himself, and during the next few days, the children separately visit him. Stillwater shares an afternoon of relaxing fun with each child; he also shares Zen stories, which give the children new views about the world and about each other. Very young listeners may not grasp the philosophical underpinnings of Stillwater's tales, but even kids who miss the deeper message will enjoy the spare, gentle story of siblings connecting with one another. Lush, spacious watercolors of charming Stillwater and the open neighborhood will entrance children, as will the dramatic black-and-white pictures of the comical animal characters that illustrated Stillwater's Zen stories."
Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Muth, John J. Zen Shorts. New York: Scholastic, 2005.
Jon J. Muth's books for children have won awards for both illustration and writing. With Caldecott Honor Book Zen Shorts Mr. Muth retells three stories; two folk tales from Zen Buddhist literature, and one from Taoist oral tradition. The large watercolor illustrations that accompany each story compliment and enhance the peaceful, loving attitude of gentle Stillwater the panda. Children in kindergarten through grade four will enjoy this unique and entertaining introduction to Asian folk tales.
Review excerpt from Booklist: "Muth's latest is both an accessible, strikingly illustrated story and a thought-provoking meditation. Here he incorporates short Buddhist tales, "Zen Shorts," into a story about three contemporary children. One rainy afternoon, a giant panda appears in the backyard of three siblings. Stillwater, the Panda, introduces himself, and during the next few days, the children separately visit him. Stillwater shares an afternoon of relaxing fun with each child; he also shares Zen stories, which give the children new views about the world and about each other. Very young listeners may not grasp the philosophical underpinnings of Stillwater's tales, but even kids who miss the deeper message will enjoy the spare, gentle story of siblings connecting with one another. Lush, spacious watercolors of charming Stillwater and the open neighborhood will entrance children, as will the dramatic black-and-white pictures of the comical animal characters that illustrated Stillwater's Zen stories."
Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Muth, John J. Zen Shorts. New York: Scholastic, 2005.
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