Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book) Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)
Book Review: Nothing short of Incredible....
Summary: 5 Stars
I have loved and collected good children's literature for over 50 years, and this is a book to cherish.
The beautiful illustrations, the floating panda and the title caught my eye on a hurried trip through the bookstore. After reading it while waiting on line, I had to dash back and pick up three more copies: one for each of my grown children, 26, 29 and 31 at the time.
The beautiful "lessons" of kindness and forgiveness are so lovingly taught here, and so very necessary in a world where peacefulness is only a word for so many children.
This was the first book that I read to my newborn grandson, and I plan to continue to share the joy of Zen Shorts. This is a treasure for all readers for all time.
Book Review: Very cute...
Summary: 5 Stars
My daughter is only 2.5yrs old so doesn't understand yet alot of the meaning behind this book, but she will... and in the meantime she loves the panda. It's a keeper, for sure.Book Review: Great for philosophy enthusiasts of any age (and anyone who likes big pandas)
Summary: 5 Stars
Zen Shorts is a picture book written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. But it's also a short story collection. And it's also a philosophy book. And it has a giant panda. Oh, and it is a Caldecott Honor book too.
The story starts when siblings Addy, Michael, and Karl meet Stillwater, a large Panda who wanders into their backyard to retrieve his umbrella. I love the opening scenes of the story. Karl, the youngest sibling, is looking out a window and telling Michael he sees a huge bear. Eventually all of the kids go out and say hello to Stillwater. Addy introduces Karl, who is "shy around bears he doesn't know." I find that phrase so enchanting. This kind of charm continues throughout the book.
The next day Addy meets Stillwater for tea. Then Michael and Stillwater hang out. Then Karl goes swimming with Stillwater.
Each outing is accompanied by an appropriate short story. The first is about a man (panda) who gives a gift to a robber. Another is about a man who knows that luck is a many-faceted thing. The final story is about a monk carrying an unnecessary burden. I'll never explain the stories as well as Muth tells them, so you should just read the book.
The illustrations of Stillwater and the children are beautifully rendered watercolors. The coloring is subtle with quite intricate line work for the drawings. The stories between the "real" story are printed on pastel backgrounds and illustrated with silhouettes so that they have a clearly different look from the rest of the book.
When you're finished you should also check out the afterward which explains the underlying philosophy for each story. (Muth has a lot of Buddhist/Taoist influences.)
This is a great book to read with older children because even if they don't get the philosophy, the stories are approachable and they'll get something from it. (Even youngsters will enjoy the pictures.) It's a great introduction to philosophy, a fact that becomes clear after reading the afterward, for "students" of any age. Muth does an admirable job creating a picture book that children and grownups can enjoy together.
Book Review: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
this book has it all, great watercolor paintings (i am a classically trained artist so this is important to me), great story, and meaningfull messages. i read this to my two year old daughter who is a book fanatic and can sit quietly for more than an hour and listen to long stories. for those of you with very small kids who may just be begging to read longer stories hear is some advice 1.don't give up if your child does not sit through the whole book the first time you read it small children, like my daughter, like farmiliar things and sometimes it just takes a few passes for them to reconize and chose a certain story, 2.don't chose to read a book when your child is bubbling over with energy, and 3.with longer stories it can also help to use a lot of inflection and tone to create intrest before your little one starts turning the page. this book is moderate in wording, not super long but not as simple as short verses or ryming stories. this book has a certain eligance to it that reflectes its message. it is just beautiful.Book Review: Gentle way to raise issues w/ kids
Summary: 5 Stars
I like to treat my kids with respect and gentleness. Books that help me are a treasure. Jon Muth is a regular source of those kinds of books. Zen Shorts is not overdone or watered down. It is simple and beautiful and useful. It makes great literature more accessible to young folks. It helps parents and kids trying to live a more mindful or aware life.