A panda introduces himself as stillwater to three siblings, michael, karl and addy. Zen shorts are short meditations ideas to puzzle over. 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 readaloud, but also begging to be shared and discussed by caregiver and child, zen shorts is a notable achievement. 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. The three stories he tells in zen shorts are stillwater s gift to the children and to us, the readers. Zen cats, zen dogs, zen horses, zen underwater life,zen girls first the egg caldecott honor book and theodor seuss. They are simple, old stories that cause much thought. To addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. Every word and image comes to make as perfect a picture book as can be.
Zen shorts was named a caldecott honor book and spent 41 weeks on the new york times best seller list. Limpidly beautiful watercolors and a wry, puckish gentleness mark these three zen stories, one for each of three children. With his zen approach to life, stillwater shows the three children the value of material goods, the boundaries of good and bad, and what frustration does when its held inside. The panda meets with them each individually and tells them a story that teaches them a lesson. When stillwater, a giant panda, moves into addy, michael and karls neighbourhood, he tells them the most amazing stories. Stillwater the wise and gentle panda whose zen teachings were first to be seen in zen shorts and zen ties returns in this third picture book adventure, inviting addy, michael and karl to a storytelling session at his house, after they finish their halloween trickortreating.
Lists 1001 children s books you must read before you grow up 279. The illustrator and author of several of our children s favorites, come on, rain, stone soup and three questions, jon muth has accomplished a rare feat with his ingenious artistic and storytelling mastery with zen shorts. Phenomenal picture books read aloud dad reading the best childrens books. Muth has fashioned a classic children s book with exquisite visuals. This highly original caldecott honor book, first published in 2005, has been selected by teachers as one of their fifty favorite picture books. Stillwater the panda returns in a delightful companion to his caldecott honor book, zen shorts. The meditations are offered as entertaining stories rooted in both zen buddhism and taoism. 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. Summer has arrived and so has koo, stillwater s haikuspeaking young nephew. Stillwater, the panda, introduces himself, and during the next few days, the children separately visit him.
I particularly like the stories that stillwater shares. Zen shorts caldecott honor book zen doodle drawing box set 5in1. The first book in the series, zen shorts, received a caldecott honor. In this caldecott children s book winner, three different zen tales are told through the help of a panda bear. Muths dapper panda, stillwater zen socks, holding your july booklist reading hostage, preventing you from cracking the cover because you cant flip past the panda parasolcatcycling cuteness. This book module deals with ethics, specifically happiness. Michael and addy, encounter a panda named stillwater. Zen is a japanese word that simply means meditation. The panda and children all introduce themselves and become friends. Jon j muth, author of the bestselling book, the three questions, has crafted another profound and winning picture book. Jul 28, 2015 stillwater the panda returns in a delightful companion to his caldecott honor book, zen shorts. Yes stillwater has arrived in the back yard with his large red umbrella. Your children will enjoy stillwater as he shares his wisdom in zen.
Zen shorts is a 2005 children s picture book by jon j. Jon j muth, author of the caldecott honor book, creates another great picture book. The stories are told to three contemporary children addy, michael, and karlwho have made friends with stillwater, a giant panda who showed up in their yard one day, in pursuit of an umbrella carried off by the wind. 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. Gently philosophical, the stories are actually short meditations from two zen traditions, zen buddhism and taoism. Michael, says karl, theres a really big bear in the backyard. After trick or treating, they travel through the misty night to. He tells stories illustrating zen buddhism principles.
Leo and molly, their cat moss, and their panda friend stillwater return in this fourth picture book devoted to their zen centered adventures. Zen shorts, stillwater the panda doll by jon j muth, 9781579821999, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. After the children have formally met stillwater they each take turns visiting him, upon each visit stillwater has a story to tell the children. Three children, karl, michael and addy, encounter a panda named stillwater. For the next three days, the three kids visit stillwater. Jul 28, 2015 stone soup, a familiar tale set in china won a national parenting book award. His name is stillwater, and he tells addy the tale of his uncle ry, who gave the robber who could find nothing to steal in his house his own. Muth discusses his third panda picture book with nprs scott simon. Stillwater, the panda, introduces himself, and during the next few days, the. Zen shorts stillwater the panda series jon j muth author jon j muth illustrator 2015. Three children, karl, michael and addy, encounter a giant panda named stillwater.
What an interesting book, i honestly dont know if ive ever read a picture book like this one. Students would discuss the significance of each of the stories stillwater told to the children. The story starts when siblings addy, michael, and karl meet stillwater. Stillwater, a large panda, tells each child a story that illustrates a principle of zen. These retellings of classic buddhist stories will get kids thinking about topics they can relate to, from sharing with others to letting go of grudges. The bear, stillwater, a giant panda that has appeared in the backyard of karl, michael, and addy, much to karls surprise. I studied abroad in japan, particularly zen buddhism so this picure book was a delight to read.
Included in the story is a short page on zen teachings. Zen shorts is a childrens picture book about three children, karl. Book dads, december 11, 2009 view all comments by book dads zen shorts is a sequel to the delightful zen ties that features the further adventures of stillwater the giant panda. Inside, youll find that one of julys two spotlights is middlegrade fictio. Although the tales will captivate children, adults may recognize the philosophy imbedded in them. Stillwater teaches each child lessons through stories that help them handle the events in their lives. Over the next few days, the three children visit the giant panda. One day, a giant panda named stillwater lands in the backyard of addy, michael, and karls house. This is a story about a zen philosophy toting giant panda named stillwater. He shares ancient zen parables with the children he. Apr 27, 2017 this is a story with three beautiful reflection stories within it, hence the duration. Muth its not often you find a childrens book with zen tales. Oct 09, 2010 enlightened panda imparts wisdom in zen ghosts a wise spiritual teacher who also happens to be a bear stars in jon j.
Each day one of the children goes to visit stillwater, revealing something of him or herself. Mar 01, 2005 limpidly beautiful watercolors and a wry, puckish gentleness mark these three zen stories, one for each of three children. He tells addy of a poor man who gives gifts to a robber. This is a story with three beautiful reflection stories within it, hence the duration. Needless to say, stillwater is no ordinary giant panda. Zen shorts caldecott honor book muth, jon j, muth, jon j. Michael, karl and addy discover a giant panda in their backyard. Old turtle and the broken truth lessons of old turtle. After reading, students would learn about zen and i would explain the meaning of the title, zen shorts. J muth has written and illustrated many enchanting picture books, including his caldecott honor book zen shorts. Here he incorporates short buddhist tales, zen shorts, into a story about three contemporary children. Jan 01, 2005 an adorable and tranquil book about a panda bear named stillwater moving in to a new neighbourhood and next door to three siblings.
Your children will enjoy stillwater as he shares his wisdom in zen fashion. May 21, 2015 if there is a concept or word that may be confusing to some students, then i would explain that while i am reading the book aloud. Zen shorts is a new york times bestseller, a quill award nominee, and was awarded the 2006 caldecott honor. The panda befriends three children and teaches them life lessons between sips of tea and slices of bamboo cake. The stories teach great lessons simply, and the watercolor illustrations are gorgeous. Through stories zen stories, he teaches each of them to look at the world in new ways. Karl, michael and addy, encounter a panda named stillwater. To michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. When stillwater the giant panda moves into the neighborhood, the stories he tells to three siblings teach them to look at the world in new ways. The panda carries a red umbrella and speaks in a slight panda accent. Stillwater is a panda who moves into addy, michael, and karls neighborhood and tells them the most amazing stories. Stillwater the panda returns in a delightful companion to his caldecott honor book, zen shorts summer has arrived and so has koo, stillwater s haikuspeaking young nephew. Its basically a story of a panda bear, named stillwater, moves into a new neighborhood a human one, and begins to tell amazing stories to the local children. The stories are told to three contemporary childrenaddy, michael, and karlwho have made friends with stillwater, a giant panda who showed up in their yard one day, in pursuit of an umbrella carried off by the wind.
Zen shorts, stillwater the panda doll book depository. Zen shorts is a 2005 childrens picture book by jon j. Buy old turtle and the broken truth lessons of old turtle by douglas wood isbn. In the third of muths contemplative series, stillwater the panda comes dressed as a ghost to join addy, michael, and karl on halloween. When molly is eager to become a skilled ballerina, stillwater shares the tale, the taste of banzos sword. Muth lives in upstate new york with his wife and four children, where he spends time chasing the clouds from his brushes. Zen shorts the story of stillwater the panda simply reading the best childrens books to my twins. On the way home, stillwater tells a tale of letting go of what you cannot change. Zen shorts is a picture book written and illustrated by jon j.
Michael and addy encounter stillwater, a surprisingly large panda who carries a red umbrella and speaks, in muths delightful phrase. Muth defines zen and explains that this book is a grouping of zen shorts. Addy, michael and karl meet their neighbor, stillwater, a panda bear. At the end of the book in the authors note which i always find so interesting its like cliff notes for the picture book we learn how stillwater got his name and that his character is based on a true life zen artistteacher. Leo and molly, their cat moss, and their panda friend stillwater return in this fourth picturebook devoted to their zencentered adventures. Stillwater imparts his latest teachings in zen ghosts, a story of magic and mystery on. When stillwater the bear moves into the neighborhood, the stories he tells to three siblings teach them to look at the world in new ways. When molly is eager to become a skilled ballerina, stillwater shares the tale, the taste of banzos. Stillwater s uncle ry in the book is based on ryokan taigu, a well loved japanese poet. This set of books about stillwater the panda are wondrous. The next day, addy goes to visit stillwater at his house just a few backyards away. Other beloved titles from jon include the new york times bestseller hi, koo. It elquenctly and effortlessly captures the essense of zen, meditation, taoism, and more. Stillwater tells them zen buddhist stories, zen shorts, about sharing, carrying grudges and the way you think of your life.
One rainy afternoon, a giant panda appears in the backyard of three siblings. Our goal is to keep old friends, exclassmates, neighbors and colleagues in touch. No matter what a reader s expectation is, this book may still surprise them with its gentle perfection. When stillwater shares the story of uncle ry and the moon he parallels the idea of unselfish giving with the tale of a simple man who was one day visited by a robber. Zen shorts are short mediation ideas to puzzle over told which hone our ability to act with intuition. One day stillwater moves into the neighborhood of the siblings addy, michael, and karl. 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.
This is how three children meet stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood. The story of the old man who lost his horse, told by stillwater the panda in zen shorts, is recounted at greater length in the lost horse with puppets to act it out included. Stillwater very gatsbyesque is wise, kind, and what i envision as an animal equivalent. This book is about three children that meet a panda.
Zen shorts is a sequel to the delightful zen ties that features the further adventures of stillwater the giant panda. Much like the first book, zen shorts, we see stillwater gently offering his young friends some lessons here, whether through story or example. Stillwater the panda returns in a delightful companion to his caldecott honor book, zen shorts summer has arrived and so has koo, stillwaters haikuspeaking young nephew. Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide. This is how three children meet stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. The final image is of karl perched triumphantly on stillwater s paw as addy and michael look on bemusedly. His name is stillwater, and he tells addy the tale of his uncle ry, who gave the robber who could find nothing to steal in his house his own tattered robe. Armed with a doodle and a big idea, muth penned a series of picture books starring a wise panda named stillwater.
Zen shorts by jon j muth and david pittu audiobook listen. Zen shorts is the story of how stillwater the panda becomes friends with three. He also has given us glimpse of zen that vividly catches and conveys the startling perspectives of this path. Stillwater the panda shares important lessons with his new friends karl, michael, and addy through three short stories. And to karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. Well, for those who arent twenty, or those who are but like to remain childlike in spirit, our book of the day, john j. Zen shorts is the story of how stillwater the panda becomes friends with three kids addy, michael and karl.
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