Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book)

Book Description

"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 Addie 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.

Customer Reviews:

Very cute..........2007-10-17

My daughter is only 2.5yrs old so doesn't understand yet alot of the meaning behind this book, but she will... and in the meantime she loves the panda. It's a keeper, for sure.

Great for philosophy enthusiasts of any age (and anyone who likes big pandas).......2007-09-22

Zen Shorts is a picture book written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. But it's also a short story collection. And it's also a philosophy book. And it has a giant panda. Oh, and it is a Caldecott Honor book too.

The story starts when siblings Addy, Michael, and Karl meet Stillwater, a large Panda who wanders into their backyard to retrieve his umbrella. I love the opening scenes of the story. Karl, the youngest sibling, is looking out a window and telling Michael he sees a huge bear. Eventually all of the kids go out and say hello to Stillwater. Addy introduces Karl, who is "shy around bears he doesn't know." I find that phrase so enchanting. This kind of charm continues throughout the book.

The next day Addy meets Stillwater for tea. Then Michael and Stillwater hang out. Then Karl goes swimming with Stillwater.

Each outing is accompanied by an appropriate short story. The first is about a man (panda) who gives a gift to a robber. Another is about a man who knows that luck is a many-faceted thing. The final story is about a monk carrying an unnecessary burden. I'll never explain the stories as well as Muth tells them, so you should just read the book.

The illustrations of Stillwater and the children are beautifully rendered watercolors. The coloring is subtle with quite intricate line work for the drawings. The stories between the "real" story are printed on pastel backgrounds and illustrated with silhouettes so that they have a clearly different look from the rest of the book.

When you're finished you should also check out the afterward which explains the underlying philosophy for each story. (Muth has a lot of Buddhist/Taoist influences.)

This is a great book to read with older children because even if they don't get the philosophy, the stories are approachable and they'll get something from it. (Even youngsters will enjoy the pictures.) It's a great introduction to philosophy, a fact that becomes clear after reading the afterward, for "students" of any age. Muth does an admirable job creating a picture book that children and grownups can enjoy together.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!.......2007-09-19

this book has it all, great watercolor paintings (i am a classically trained artist so this is important to me), great story, and meaningfull messages. i read this to my two year old daughter who is a book fanatic and can sit quietly for more than an hour and listen to long stories. for those of you with very small kids who may just be begging to read longer stories hear is some advice 1.don't give up if your child does not sit through the whole book the first time you read it small children, like my daughter, like farmiliar things and sometimes it just takes a few passes for them to reconize and chose a certain story, 2.don't chose to read a book when your child is bubbling over with energy, and 3.with longer stories it can also help to use a lot of inflection and tone to create intrest before your little one starts turning the page. this book is moderate in wording, not super long but not as simple as short verses or ryming stories. this book has a certain eligance to it that reflectes its message. it is just beautiful.

Gentle way to raise issues w/ kids.......2007-09-18

I like to treat my kids with respect and gentleness. Books that help me are a treasure. Jon Muth is a regular source of those kinds of books. Zen Shorts is not overdone or watered down. It is simple and beautiful and useful. It makes great literature more accessible to young folks. It helps parents and kids trying to live a more mindful or aware life.

A review by a five year old.......2007-09-15

My son Tyler says:

"This book is really great. From this book I learned about friendship and kindness, even though I'm already a kind boy. And I learned that good luck and bad luck are all mixed up. Please buy this book for your child. Bye."

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Average customer rating:

Exciting new spin on Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Sorta Weird
There is hope!
Everyone should have this book
I should like this one, but...

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?
Bill Martin Jr.
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0805017585

Amazon.com

Fans of Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? will be delighted to see another title in this lilting call and response series. Much like their earlier picture books, Panda Bear features a string of fine feathered (and furry and scaly) friends watching over each other. In this book, however, all the animals are endangered, from a swinging spider monkey to a strutting macaroni penguin (kids will get a kick out of that name!) to a splashing sea lion. Carle's trademark tissue paper collages will be as familiar--and welcome--as the text ("Whooping Crane, Whooping Crane, what do you see?" "I see a black panther strolling by me."); young readers will quickly get the hang of the rhythm and join right in. The book concludes on a hopeful note, with a dreaming child seeing the ten f! eatured animals "all wild and free--/ that's what I see!" Martin includes a note on endangered species that may spark concern and interest in older readers--our hope for these disappearing creatures. (Ages 3 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Thirty-five years after their first groundbreaking collaboration, the creators of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? reunite to address the important topic of animal conservation. A Bald Eagle soars, a Spider Monkey swings, a Macaroni Penguin struts, and a Red Wolf sneaks through Bill Martin Jr's rhythmic text and Eric Carle's vibrant images, and all are watched over by our best hope for the future-a dreaming child.

Customer Reviews:

Exciting new spin on Brown Bear, Brown Bear.......2007-10-03

This book follows the same pattern as the classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? but with an exciting new spin -- exotic, endangered animals. It also has a delightful surprise ending that makes it perfect for a bedtime story.

-Sherry North, author, Because You Are My Baby

Sorta Weird.......2007-09-11

My 2-year old twins like this book because they like to see the animals, but I think they'd get more out of it if more mainstream animals were used. I think they're a little thrown by animals like "macaroni penguin" - sounds like food to them. The dreaming child part is weird looking too.

I think it's great to use endangered animals, although my kids aren't exactly as concerned about animal endangerment as I am. It's not a bad book or anything, but honestly, if I had read it in a bookstore, I wouldn't have bought it.

There is hope!.......2007-08-19

My son loves Eric Carle books, and this is our most recent addition to his collection. I just caught on to the fact that all of the animals are endangered, but I think it's so cool that one of them isn't anymore! The bald eagle was recently taken off the endangered species list. I think that gives us (and especially kids) hope that more of those animals can come off that list, and maybe even in their lifetime.

Everyone should have this book.......2007-06-16

In a world of highways, malls, highrises, greed and land excavation, it's good to find a book that dares to dream of thick forests, lush jungles and untouched oceans where wonderful creatures can thrive. This is my favorite of all the "bear" books. It's statement is strong and I can't wait until my 16 month old daughter can recognize it.

I should like this one, but..........2007-03-07

I oughta like it, I want to like it, but it just left me flat. More to the point, it left my kids flat. The two stars I gave this were for the illustrations -- they are really cool, as you'd expect with Eric Carle. Normally, you can't go wrong with Bill Martin, but I guess everybody has their bad days. The language doesn't flow as well as the other bear books, and that makes it a little awkward for reading aloud. We have Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, and both are big favorites with the under-3 set around our house. Panda Bear just doesn't make the grade.

Panda Puzzle (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Average customer rating:

They have done it again!
This book was awesome!

Panda Puzzle (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
Ron Roy
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0375802711
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Book Description

P is for Panda. . . .

There’s pandemonium in Green Lawn! The town is building a new park for a panda and her baby. But as soon as the pandas arrive, the baby is stolen! All the panda-nappers want in return is a million dollars. . . . Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose collar the culprits before Green Lawn has to cough up
the cash?

Customer Reviews:

They have done it again!.......2005-12-27

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose have done it again!
Only this time someone or something has captured poor Winnie, the zoo's main attraction and it's up to someone to find these thieves.
The kidnapper wants 1 million dollars or Green Lawn will never see Winnie again.

Will Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose be able to find the kidnapper or will they be too late to save her?

This book was awesome!.......2004-12-28

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are at it again. There are theives who stole baby pandas. This book was great. I give it five stars. It was good, really good. I am an eight year old boy.

Dinner at the Panda Palace (A Public Television Storytime Book)

Average customer rating:

A Long Time Family Favorite
Daddy's Favorite
Barb
Great book! Very entertaining!
a really fun read to enjoy together

Dinner at the Panda Palace (A Public Television Storytime Book)
Stephanie Calmenson
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064434087

Book Description

Guess who's coming to dinner!

Join one hungry elephant, two carsick lions, three pigs running from a wolf, and dozens of other playful yet famished animals as they swing, bound, and bounce into the Panda Palace for a hearty meal.

Customer Reviews:

A Long Time Family Favorite.......2007-08-02

This is a fun rhyming book. My daughter is 7 now and we still drag it out every so often for a read although we dont' really need to as we all have it memorized! No matter how many times it's been read, we all still enjoy it. I buy it as a gift often.

Daddy's Favorite.......2007-04-02

Our daughter has had this one at the top of her "favorites" list for years and it's Daddy's favorite too! We have read it so many times it is practically falling apart. Get it, you'll love it.

Barb.......2007-03-08

I'm a mom of six and this is one of my children's favorite books. The rhymes are adorable, the pace fast and the pictures cute. This is a fun book and I highly recommend it!

Great book! Very entertaining!.......2006-02-05

The book just arrived on Friday and I have been reading it to my son over and over. In one sitting, he asked me to read it to him over 5 times. Once the story ended, he would say "again mommy". The book has a rhyming counting theme from 1-10 with different animals. The illustrations are fun to look at as well. I didn't know what to expect when i bought the book, but I'm glad I bought it. I bought it because it was about a panda (my son loves pandas)... so, I took a chance at the book. I'm glad I bought it. I highly recommend it!

a really fun read to enjoy together.......2004-03-02

my little one look forward to seeing who arrives next at the Palace Somehow this books seems fresh-and we've read it hundreds of times. i've given it as a gift as well

Average customer rating:

integrity
Brings back memories!
This book still brings a smile to my face every time!
Simply The Best
panda cake by rosalie seidler

Panda cake
Rosalie Seidler
Manufacturer: Parents' Magazine Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Guess How Much I Love You

ASIN: 0819309621

Customer Reviews:

integrity.......2007-07-31

Thia is a favorite book of mine. I read it to my eight children and to any children's group I had the privilege of teaching. It teaches do not steal and do not try to twist the intentions of authority. Mama Panda gave her son money to pay for ingriedents for a cake, not for him to go to the fair.

Brings back memories!.......2006-10-14

This was a favorite book of mine 25 years ago. My mom saved our original copy and now I read it to my 3 and 2 yr olds nearly every night. It is their top request. The rhymes, illustrations, and take home message are absolutely precious. Brings back such sweet memories of my own childhood!

This book still brings a smile to my face every time!.......2004-05-29

I am one of 5 siblings who adored this book as a child. Twenty years later, as adults, we are all fighting over who gets to keep it! I will have to purchase more! So far, I am the only one with a child. My 3 year old son LOVES this book! The black and white drawings are lovely and are not cartoonish versions of animals, they look more realistic. There are many opportunities to learn about rhyming, animals and consequences. You could also educate your child about fragile Panda's and how important it is to help them. I wish that they would reprint this book. My copy will probably fall apart by the time my son is done "loving" it! Buy this book if you can find it!

Simply The Best.......2002-07-27

The number one favorite of hundreds of books read to my four small children, (now honors graduates of Boston University, American U., and Syracuse U.) Panda Cake teaches lessons, rhymes, tells a story, entertains and remains memorable 20 years later. Wonderful illustrations and particularly great for younger brothers or sisters. Hands down the cutest relatively modern children's book we have ever read.

panda cake by rosalie seidler.......2001-10-27

I had this book as a child and my children now read it. It is a fun and whimsical way to teach children the joy of reading. It's an absolute "10"

Average customer rating:

My Color Is Panda
Winograd
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Where Is Maisy's Panda?: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Maisy)

Average customer rating:

Good fun.
Maisy fans won't be disappointed.
Look in all the dangerous places!
Panda is Missing! Can Maisy find him?
Help find Panda

Where Is Maisy's Panda?: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Maisy)

Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0763607533
Release Date: 1999-03-03

Book Description

Maisy mavens will love to look for Maisy's in WHERE IS MAISY'S PANDA?, a happy lift-the-flap board book adventure from award-winning author-illustrator Lucy Cousins.

Customer Reviews:

Good fun........2006-11-03

Super cute. My daughter is a huge Maisy fan, and this is the kind of book that fuels the love!! I especially like when the reader does find Panda. ("Is Panda in the toy box?" "Yes!!" -- and there's Panda!) Definitely a nice addition to the Maisy collection.

Maisy fans won't be disappointed........2006-08-21

My daughter, at 21 months, is on a real Maisy kick. She can't get enough, and particularly loves these Maisy lift-the-flap books. Not a lot in them for the parents, but also not a terrible chore to read over and over, since they are simple enough that she can pretty much read them to herself. She loves the silliness of this one, in particular (fish in the toilet, duck in the washing machine, etc.). I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with a Maisy fan in mind.

Look in all the dangerous places!.......2005-06-15

We love Maisy, but this book had to be put away. Frankly, I think the publisher should pull it. As my husband pointed out, it encourages children to explore all the "forbidden" zones -- inside the (front loading) washing machine, where there is a lovely duck and in the toilet, where there's a friendly fish. Under the sink, where there is a cute snail. In the laundry basket, where there's a nice chicken. We're trying to keep our child from dropping toys into the toilet, emptying freshly dried clothes from the laundry basket, crawling into the dryer, and especially from getting inside the under-sink cabinet, and this book seems to encourage the exact opposite!

Panda is Missing! Can Maisy find him?.......2004-01-20

If you are the parent of a young child, you probably know who Maisy is. She's a mouse with a duck, a squirrel, an elephant, and a crocodile for friends. Why the crocodile isn't trying to eat the others is beyond me, but that's life in Maisy's world.

Both of my daughters love the Maisy books; there's something about their simple stories and colorful pictures that even appeals to adults. The books are short and easy to read. But, the stories are never obnoxiously simplistic, like so many other books for small children.

This is a lift-the-flap Maisy book wherein children help Maisy look for her toy, Panda. As always, lots of fun for the kids who love lifting those flaps.

Help find Panda.......2002-03-18

My daughters (13 months and 2.5 years) enjoy Maisy books and this one is one of their favourites. Looking for Panda and eventually finding him brings cheers and hurrahs from both girls - they never seem to get tired of looking under the flaps to see if Panda is there. The book is made of nice strong card so no matter how many times you lift those flaps there is no chance of them being ripped off in the excitement of finding Panda!

Average customer rating:

Paper Sculpture Illustrations Make This a Very Unique Children's Book

A Day at the Beach

Manufacturer: Greenwillow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060799811
Release Date: 2006-06-13

Book Description

What a perfect day! The ocean is sparkling in the sun, and Alice B. and Baxter want to dive right in . . . but they don't have their swimsuits.

Or their goggles.

Or anything else.

Luckily for them, they do have Dad. He has just what they need to make their day at the beach the best ever!

Customer Reviews:

Paper Sculpture Illustrations Make This a Very Unique Children's Book .......2006-08-09

Dad takes Alice B. and Baxter to see the ocean. It's so beautiful, they want to get in the water. They ask to go home so they can get their swimsuits.

"It'll only take half an hour," Alice B. says.

Dad drives them back to the house.

Alice B. and Baxter play and play and play. But wouldn't it be great if they had their goggles?

"It'll only take half an hour," Alice B. says.

Dad drives them back to the house to get their goggles.

And so the pattern continues as the pandas play and discover things they wish they had with them at the beach. After the many trips home, Dad finally comes up with a solution to give them everything they need while at the beach.

These pandas know how to have fun. Their excitement over the beach and the many things to do there is contagious.

Ed Briant has created a really unique children's book aimed at the baby-preschool reading level. With his paper sculpture illustrations, A Day at the Beach is a book both parents and children can appreciate. The book will quickly become a household favorite with its lovable characters, creative illustrations and enjoyable story line.

Average customer rating:

A great kid's book - a shame that it's out of print
THOROUGHLY TESTED, OFTEN REQUESTED

Poppy the Panda
Dick Gackenbach
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0899194923

Customer Reviews:

A great kid's book - a shame that it's out of print.......2003-02-02

Grab a used copy while you can! This is a great children's book with a funny story that you won't mind reading the 2.8 million times your kids will ask to hear it. Is a perfect read-aloud book that lends itself to animated voices and laughing together with your kids. Will appeal to a wide age-range of kids. My youngest was hooked on it at 10.5 months old! "Poppy" (or some variation thereof) was one of her first words. Highly recommended but out of print, so get a used one while they last.

THOROUGHLY TESTED, OFTEN REQUESTED.......1999-12-02

Poppy becomes dissatisfied when he notices that all the other toys have clothes and he doesn't. He complains to his best friend, a little girl named Katie, who does her best to help. Poppy won't wear just anything so Katie goes to great lengths to try to please him, having him try on one thing after another. The results of their search for just the right outfit yield hilarious results.

Book Description

What if animals could talk? These charming books each depict a day in the life of a young animal-as told by the animal itself! The simple stories will delight small children and the art is simply outstanding. Author-artist Francois Crozat was 1994 winner of the coveted Critici in Erba prize at the international Bologna Children's Book Fair for his illustrations in I Am a Little Panda.

Customer Reviews:

"I Am" Series.......2007-01-09

Excellent ideas for young children and could exand to "I Am Me" book. As a psychotherapist I would be happy to consult on the project if desiredl.

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