Common Sense Media Review
A beautiful introduction to Zen thinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
New neighbor Stillwater shares Zen wisdom with his new human friends, retelling three classic Buddhist stories.
Is It Any Good?
The beautiful watercolor and ink illustrations, like the stories, are deceptively simple, but a careful examination will reveal small details that reinforce the Asian inspiration. On the last page, Muth gives more details about Zen, the real people behind his imaginary characters, and shares the origins of the stories. Kids who are ready to think about complicated ideas about justice, kindness, and retribution will value the book, and even younger kids who just want entertainment will be pleased.
Stories within a story give readers many layers to enjoy and explore. Jon Muth writes about three siblings with a new neighbor -- a giant panda named Stillwater with the wisdom of an ancient Buddhist monk. Stillwater doesn't lead his listeners to any conclusions, which guarantees that each reading can lead to new ideas and epiphanies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the complex ideas presented in these simple fables. Parents and kids can talk about the advantages of generosity in the face of greed, the true meaning of luck, and the burdens of bearing a grudge.
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jon J. Muth
- Genre : Picture Book
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Inc.
- Publication date : March 1, 2003
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 7
- Number of pages : 40
- Award : Caldecott Medal and Honors
- Last updated : July 12, 2017
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