Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book) Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)
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: Searching for the Stillness Within
Summary: 5 Stars
Muth's Zen Shorts is a funny story about a panda bear named Stillwater who mysteriously appears in the backyard of three siblings: Michael, Addy, and Karl. As the children become acquainted with their new friend, they each decide to visit him separately. First, Addy the middle sister visits Stillwater's home and brings him a housewarming gift - a delicious bamboo cake. In return Stillwater tells her a story about his Uncle Ry. In the story Stillwater tells of his Uncle's constant kindness and generosity to all those around him - even to a thief who comes to steal the little he owns! Next Michael, the elder brother, walks with Stillwater to a nearby tree where they talk about the present and how unpredictable it can be. To calm Michael's worried mind Stillwater tells him the story of a father rabbit who experiences varying bouts of good and bad luck and whose response to every situation is to always be content with what he has at a given moment and to never take anything for granted.
Lastly, Karl the younger brother, is invited by Stillwater to go swimming with him in his pool, but little does Stillwater know that Karl's idea of `swimming' involves a wide variety of inflatable toys that fill up the pool to such an extent that neither of them can swim in it! In an attempt to calm down angry Karl - who is upset at his older brother Michael and frustrated at the swimming pool crisis - Stillwater tells him perhaps the most memorable Zen story about two monks (who for the story are transformed into mice monks) who were walking along the road where they meet a very rich lady mouse who is upset because here two servants, laden down with the many bags she has them carry, cannot carry her across the muddy puddle on the ground so she does not dirty her feet. The elder of the two monks calmly walks up to the angry lady, lifts her unto his back, and carries her across the puddle dirtying his toga in the process. When he gently places her on the ground, the lady stomps away without so much as a thank you to the elderly monk - this part always brings to my mind this quote from William Shakespeare, "blow, blow, thou winter wind. Thou art not so unkind as man's ingratitude". The younger monk is bemused by the oblivious peace the elder monk is in, despite the lady's rudeness, and for the rest of the journey back to the monastery he wears a slightly impatient face as if waiting for the elder monk to begin complaining. Finally, when he can not stand it any longer, the younger monk asks the elder monk why he is unshaken by the ingratitude shown unto him; the elder monks turns to him and says, "Why are you still carrying that mean woman, I placed her on the ground miles ago". The moral of the story which Stillwater teaches Karl is to not hold onto anger and to try your best to forgive others and be at peace with yourself.
Using his flawless watercolors, Muth brings to life these powerful principles behind Buddhist thought. Through Stillwater young readers, like Addy, Michael, and Karl, with learn about kindness, contentment, and forgiveness. And from the beginning of the story they will be just as hooked onto the peculiar yet polite panda bear with funny shorts and a big red umbrella as the three siblings were. Once again Muth has masterfully combined adult concepts and child storytelling to make a beautiful book with a powerful message for young readers. After having read Muth's best selling interpretation of Leo Tolstoy's The Three Questions to my second grade class, Zen Shorts was a successful follow up and will be a wonderful addition to your child's collection of story books at home.
Book Review: A nearly perfect book with beautiful illustrations
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a terrific books for both children and adults. I think kids a young as 3 can appreciate both the story and the pictures. And even if some of the nuances of the vignettes are lost on some small children, the relationships between the siblings and their new panda friend will not be. This makes a great gift too.Book Review: Great Book
Summary: 5 Stars
My children and I all learn something valuable from this insightful and beautifully illustrated book. Book Review: Beautiful Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Wonderful pictures and stories. My 2-yr old loves it! We checked it out from the library but had to order it for our own collection. I recommend this to everybody!