Zen Shorts

by Jon J. Muth

Overview

"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth — and Stillwater the bear — present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780439339117
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	02/15/2005
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	16,584
Product dimensions:	10.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.39(d)
Lexile:	540L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jon J Muth has written and illustrated many enchanting picture books, including his Caldecott Honor Book Zen Shorts and its sequel, the New York Times bestselling picture book Zen Ties. Other beloved titles from Jon include the New York Times bestseller Hi, Koo!, The Three Questions, Gershon's Monster by Eric Kimmel, and The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson. Mr. Muth lives with his wife and their four children in New York.

Editorial Reviews

A Caldecott Honor Book

* "An accessible, strikingly illustrated story and a thought-provoking meditation." — Booklist, starred review

* "Every word and image comes to make as perfect a picture book as can be." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Readers will fall easily into the rhythm of visits to Stillwater and his storytelling sessions, and many more will fall in love with the panda, whose shape and size offer the children many opportunities for cuddling." — Publishers Weekly

"Beautifully illustrated in two distinct styles, this book introduces readers to a Zen approach to the world, wrapped in a story about three siblings and their new neighbor, a panda....Appealing enough for a group read-aloud, but also begging to be shared and discussed by caregiver and child, Zen Shorts is a notable achievement." — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/01/2017
K-Gr 4—Stillwater sets out to retrieve his umbrella, which had been windswept downhill and deposited in his neighbor's backyard. Thus begins the friendship between a zen-minded giant panda with siblings Michael, Addy, and Karl. During the course of their everyday conversations, Stillwater finds opportunities to share the wisdom of Zen. The lushly illustrated book blends beautifully with David Pittu's warm and gentle narration, that resonates with the wisdom and peace of the stories he tells. It's never too early to introduce poetry to young minds, especially those that subtly instill positive character-building traits.

School Library Journal