Zen shorts stillwater the panda series jon j muth author jon j muth illustrator 2015. Feb 01, 2008 stillwater the panda returns in a delightful companion to his caldecott honor book, zen shorts. Jun 01, 2008 zen shorts is a beautiful children s book of very profound zen parables, with timeless moral lessons. Gently philosophical, the stories are actually short meditations from two zen traditions, zen buddhism and taoism.
Over the next few days, the three children visit the giant panda. Jul 28, 2015 books he has illustrated include come on, rain. This is how three children meet stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the. The meditations are offered as entertaining stories rooted in both zen buddhism and taoism. Stillwater, the panda, introduces himself, and during the next few days, the. 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. The next day, addy goes to visit stillwater at his house just a few backyards away. 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. Muth its not often you find a childrens book with zen tales. Summer has arrived and so has koo, stillwater s haikuspeaking young nephew. This is how three children meet stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. 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 shorts is the story of how stillwater the panda becomes friends with three kids addy, michael and karl.
Other beloved titles from jon include the new york times bestseller hi, koo. In zen shorts, muths watercolor illustrations of the children and their panda friend are serene, airy and grounded in ethereal washes of gentle. Although the tales will captivate children, adults may recognize the philosophy imbedded in them. This highly original caldecott honor book, first published in 2005, has been selected by teachers as one of their fifty favorite picture books.
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. Muth defines zen and explains that this book is a grouping of zen shorts. Michael, says karl, theres a really big bear in the backyard. The final image is of karl perched triumphantly on stillwater s paw as addy and michael look on bemusedly. Well, for those who arent twenty, or those who are but like to remain childlike in spirit, our book of the day, john j. 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. Three children, karl, michael and addy, encounter a panda named stillwater. Michael and addy, encounter a panda named stillwater. Zen shorts is a 2005 childrens picture book by jon j. Karl, michael and addy, encounter a panda named stillwater. Stillwater also learns a few lessons from them, leaving all improved. Zen shorts was named a caldecott honor book and spent 41 weeks on the new york times best seller list. Stillwater the panda returns in a delightful companion to his caldecott honor book, zen shorts. Buy zen shorts book online at low prices in india zen.
Much like the first book, zen shorts, we see stillwater gently offering his young friends some lessons here, whether through story or example. The next day addy goes to the pandas house for tea, and he tells her a zen story about a robber who is given much more than he expects from the man he is robbing. Zen shorts caldecott honor book zen doodle drawing box set 5in1. The first book in the series, zen shorts, received a caldecott honor. See which new books our editors chose as this months favorites for kids of all ages.
Zen shorts is the story of how stillwater the panda becomes friends with three. I also wish i had a giant panda bear friend named stillwater like the children do in the book, who came to have tea with me and share tidbits of zen, but since i dont, its nice to visit him in muths works. Another adventure with stillwater the panda, featuring two new kids as his students. Buy zen shorts storybook book online at low prices in india. Feb 20, 2017 buy zen shorts book online at best prices in india on.
Stillwater imparts his latest teachings in zen ghosts, a story of magic and mystery on. Zen is a japanese word that simply means meditation. The panda tells each of them a powerful and charming story based on buddhism values and philosophy. Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide. Your children will enjoy stillwater as he shares his wisdom in zen fashion. Id have to put this book just above zen ties and just below zen ghosts, with the first book, zen shorts, far above at the top in quality. 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. J muth has written and illustrated many enchanting picture books, including his caldecott honor book zen shorts. The panda meets with them each individually and tells them a story that teaches them a lesson. This book module deals with ethics, specifically happiness. A panda introduces himself as stillwater to three siblings, michael, karl and addy.
A short authors note at the end of the book explains a little more about zen and the stories, and parents can find more of these stories for interested children in one of the classic references such as zen flesh, zen bones. Needless to say, stillwater is no ordinary giant panda. Zen shorts is a new york times bestseller, a quill award nominee, and was awarded the 2006 caldecott honor. 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. Zen shorts exists in a collectors edition with beautiful binding and endpapers and a print suitable for framing. He tells stories illustrating zen buddhism principles.
Addy, michael, and karl are astonished when they discover a panda named stillwater sitting in their backyard with an umbrella. On the way home, stillwater tells a tale of letting go of what you cannot change. Its basically a story of a panda bear, named stillwater, moves into a new neighborhood. Ages 5 and up 8 9 36 zen shorts, written and illustrated by jon j. Michael has a spelling bee to study for and an old teacher in the neighborhood helps him. Stillwater, a large panda, tells each child a story that illustrates a principle of zen.
Pandas show up periodically in works of literature for children but the iconic ones can be sometimes hard to conjure up. This book is about three children that meet a panda. Muth revisits his delightful story of the friendship between siblings addy, michael, and karl with zen master panda bear stillwater. The text, that lingers long after the book has been closed, is accompanied by muths stunning watercolor and ink art. Stillwater the panda shares important lessons with his new friends karl, michael, and addy through three short stories. No matter what a reader s expectation is, this book may still surprise them with its gentle perfection. I hope he will one day be a part of my own childs education through reading. One day stillwater moves into the neighborhood of the siblings addy, michael, and karl. Zen shorts is a sequel to the delightful zen ties that features the further adventures of stillwater the giant panda. When stillwater, a giant panda, moves into addy, michael and karls neighbourhood, he tells them the most amazing stories. Muth lives in upstate new york with his wife and four children, where he spends time chasing the clouds from his brushes.
Stillwater, the giant panda who taught zen parables to siblings karl, addy and michael in zen shorts, continues to combine his slowmoving grace with genuine spi. Like a spoonful of sugar, zen shorts imparts ancient wisdom about life to children in a painless and charming way. See more ideas about story time books, panda bear crafts, panda bear. The three stories he tells in zen shorts are stillwater s gift to the children and to us, the readers. Apr 27, 2017 this is a story with three beautiful reflection stories within it, hence the duration. Relying on muths childhood fantasy of having a real panda as a friend, zen shorts takes readers into sophisticated concepts, but those as young as three years old have appreciated muths blend of realism and spirituality. Jul 10, 2005 zen shorts written and illustrated by jon j. Lists 1001 children s books you must read before you grow up 279. Michael and addy encounter stillwater, a surprisingly large panda who carries a red umbrella and speaks, in muths delightful phrase. 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. Stillwater very gatsbyesque is wise, kind, and what i envision as an animal equivalent. This is a story about a zen philosophy toting giant panda named stillwater. 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. Religious and spiritual books for kids, great childrens.
The panda and children all introduce themselves and become friends. Zen ghosts was published in september 2010 by scholastic press. A huge panda named stillwater makes friend with three siblings, michael, addy and karl. 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. Stillwater teaches each child lessons through stories that help them handle the events in their lives. This is a story with three beautiful reflection stories within it, hence the duration. Zen shorts is a childrens picture book about three children, karl. Limpidly beautiful watercolors and a wry, puckish gentleness mark these three zen stories, one for each of three children. To michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. Mar 01, 2005 buy zen shorts storybook book online at best prices in india on. Delicate, handsome illustrations capture the mood and flow of the stories. Michael and addy encounter stillwater, a surprisingly large panda who carries a red umbrella.
Armed with a doodle and a big idea, muth penned a series of picture books starring a wise panda named stillwater. Jon j muth, author of the bestselling book, the three questions, has crafted another profound and winning picture book. Michael, karl and addy discover a giant panda in their backyard. Muth discusses his third panda picture book with nprs scott simon. 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. The panda carries a red umbrella and speaks in a slight panda accent. Stillwater the giant panda tells classic zen tales to his young neighbors. Muths zen shorts is a beautiful piece, telling tales of love and comradeship, friendship and patience, care and giving. The bear, stillwater, a giant panda that has appeared in the backyard of karl, michael, and addy, much to karls surprise.
Yet, here muth adds a wonderful surprise stillwater s haikutalking nephew koo comes over from japan to visit and in one week they will discover that many times what seems is not always what is. And to karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. 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 next day, addy goes to visit stillwater at his house and finds him sitting in the backyard in a tent that was a gift from his uncle ry. Zen shorts caldecott honor book muth, jon j, muth, jon j. Zen shorts is a 2005 children s picture book by jon j. See more ideas about illustration, childrens books and panda drawing. To addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. Muth won the caldecott with the introduction of zen panda extraordinaire stillwater. Leo and molly, their cat moss, and their panda friend stillwater return in this fourth picture book devoted to their zen centered adventures. 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. One day, a giant panda named stillwater lands in the backyard of addy, michael, and karls house.
Jul 28, 2015 stillwater the panda returns in a delightful companion to his caldecott honor book, zen shorts. Jan 01, 2005 three years before po scadooshed tai lung, wonder artistchildrens author jon j. This set of books about stillwater the panda are wondrous. Zen cats, zen dogs, zen horses, zen underwater life,zen girls first the egg caldecott honor book and theodor seuss. Each day one of the children goes to visit stillwater, revealing something of him or herself. For the next three days, the three kids visit stillwater. He shares ancient zen parables with the children he. Leo and molly, their cat moss, and their panda friend stillwater return in this fourth picturebook devoted to their zencentered adventures. 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.