Thursday, November 09, 2006

Panda in Boxers

I think that my Secret Pal has been reading my Amazon Wish List!!

Have you heard about this book, yet?

Zen Shorts is a very special little book written and illustrated by John J Muth. I'll admit that I am a total sucker for watercolor illustrations - but the ones in this book are so sweet that you just want to savor each one. The main character, Stillwater, is a Zen Master Panda that teaches three siblings three classic Zen-esque lessons. It is called Zen shorts - because these are short stories within a larger story. Makes perfect sense considering kid sized appetites, dont'cha think?

This book is refective in nature and delivers meaningful although not preachy messages about forgiveness, materialism and letting go. I'd imagine that it would be a great springboard for those kid-to-parent-life-lessons-sort-of-conversations that are bound to be in any parents future.

Or...of course...you could just look at the pictures!





Turns out that Jon J Muth has also illustrated one of my all-time favorite children's books: Stone Soup.

Hint, hint - Secret Pal - Hint, hint!!

Thank you so much for the terrific gift, Ms. Pal-e-o!! We really love it! XO

12 comments:

Lisa~~ said...

I'm going to have to check out that book, it looks beautiful!!

Joannah said...

I have that book and I really like it, too!

Irena said...

Yo. You have got to give me more kid book suggestions. That book looks sweet. Maybe I should peek at your wish list. How do I look that up? Email me more ideas. Julie is a book fiend.

aimeeg said...

That book sounds awesome! I will have to check it out. I also love Stone Soup:) When I was a primary classroom teacher, we made stone soup in our class.

Tamara said...

Oh wow - what wonderful illustrations, I think I need to check out your amazon wish list too!

Katie J said...

I love this book too. I bought it before I knew Buttons. It still seems a bit old for her, but I may have to read it to her tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I have never seen this book, but the pictures are beautiful. I just ordered it. Thanks for the heads up!

Gen said...

ooh I am going to have to buy that one - I just got stone soup and love it.

But the illustrations on this one are exceptionally beautiful - what an awesome secret pal...looking at your wish looking at your wish list - How clever!!

Jen said...

What a beautiful book! I love the artwork. I'm going to have to go and check it out. I'll have to look up Stone Soup too!

Anonymous said...

Adorable!

Anonymous said...

That book is just beautiful.

Anonymous said...

That looks fabulous!