Children’s Book Review: Zen Ties
June 30, 2009 by Karlynn Johnston
Filed under Book Nook
This is a beautiful story, one with Zen-influenced haiku’s intermingled with the storyline. The storyline itself is led by Stillwater, the gentle,spiritual giant panda who taught Zen parables to siblings Karl, Addy and Michael in the first book Zen Shorts. The children encounter a crabby elderly lady in their neighborhood and Stillwater shows them through his gentle acts of kindness and compassion,the error of judging before you know your facts. Of course, she turns out to be a wonderful, lonely lady who in the end, is glad for the kids company.
I really enjoyed the haikus in this story, we would stop and just enjoy them as almost a separate reading,and took our time to discuss each after reading. The illustrations are gorgeous watercolors and thoroughly engaging for children.
Reading level: ages:4 & up
Page Count: 40 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press
What to expect:. a story with a moral, but sensitive kids might get sad that the older woman can’t see pictures anymore and upset that she is grumpy and yells at the kids.
Publisher’s synopsis:Summer has arrived — and so has Koo, Stillwater’s haiku-speaking young nephew. And when Stillwater encourages Koo, and his friends Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy old neighbor in need, their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways. Zen Ties is a disarming story of compassion and friendship that reaffirms the importance of our ties to one another.
About the Author:Jon J Muth’s children’s books have received numerous awards and critical acclaim.Stone Soup a familiar tale that he set in China won a National Parenting Book Award. Jon currently lives with his family in upstate New York, flying kites with his son, dancing with his daughter, and planting trees with his wife. He is astonished at his good fortune.
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Our Rating:[rating=4]
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