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4th out of 46 books
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21 voters
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Zen Shorts
by
Jon J. Muth
Jon J Muth, author of the best-selling book, THE THREE QUESTIONS, has crafted another profound and winning picture book."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 Addy he tells a story about the value of material...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
March 1st 2005
by Scholastic Inc.
(first published January 1st 2005)
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Brad
rated it
Three years before Po scadooshed Tai Lung, wonder artist/children's author Jon J. Muth won the Caldecott with the introduction of Zen Panda extraordinaire Stillwater.
Muth's Zen Shorts is a beautiful piece, telling tales of love and comradeship, friendship and patience, care and giving. Three siblings find the Zen Panda and listen -- individually -- to his tales of life. They learn lessons, and so do the readers and listeners, without ever being beaten over the head with stick.
...more
Muth's Zen Shorts is a beautiful piece, telling tales of love and comradeship, friendship and patience, care and giving. Three siblings find the Zen Panda and listen -- individually -- to his tales of life. They learn lessons, and so do the readers and listeners, without ever being beaten over the head with stick.
...more
A deserving Caldecott Honor winner (_The Hello Goodbye Window_ by Norton Juster and illustrated by Chris Raschka was the winner in 2006), Zen Shorts tells the story of three children who encounter Stillwater, a mysterious Panda with a red umbrella, in their back yard. He tells each of them a simple, poignant story which relates subtly to their lives (in the case of Karl, who is angry at his brother, it is more pointed). The stories all come from the Zen tradition, but this is not obvious unles...more
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Genre: Cultural Folktale
Grade: K-6
Caldecott Honor Book
This is a beautifully illistrated narritive of three siblings that become friends with a panda named Stillwater. Each sibling visits the panda and the panda teaches each one a lesson. He tells them stories about his experiences to help him feel better about what is troubling them. After he tells the story, the book changes to a different, more graphic, illustration style and tells a Zen tale related to the story Sti...more
Grade: K-6
Caldecott Honor Book
This is a beautifully illistrated narritive of three siblings that become friends with a panda named Stillwater. Each sibling visits the panda and the panda teaches each one a lesson. He tells them stories about his experiences to help him feel better about what is troubling them. After he tells the story, the book changes to a different, more graphic, illustration style and tells a Zen tale related to the story Sti...more
This is a story about a zen philosophy toting giant panda named Stillwater. He shares ancient zen parables with the children he befriends to help them cool their jets. You totally don't have to be a kid to read this. On bad days at work (when we actually have this in stock), I like to pick this off the shelf and read it. It makes problems seem smaller, and dwelling on other people seem a waste of time. Inner peace in like, ten minutes, man!
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Abigail
rated it
Recommends it for:
Readers Who Like Philosophical Picture Books
Shelves:
picture-books
When Stillwater the panda arrives in their backyard, clutching a red umbrella and speaking with a slight "panda accent," Addy, Michael and Karl aren't sure just what to make of their new neighbor. But as each of them find their way to Stillwater's house, they discover that this tranquil and wise bear has a gift for telling Zen tales that give them a better understanding of their own experiences.
The three embedded Zen stories, dealing with generosity and not getting too atta...more
The three embedded Zen stories, dealing with generosity and not getting too atta...more
Text Summary
Stillwater is a giant panda with meaningful stories to tell. Three siblings: Addie, Michael, and Karl, first discover Stillwater sitting in their backyard, as Stillwater apologetically states that he and his red umbrella have been carried there by the wind. Following their encounter with this giant panda, each of the three children visits Stillwater at his home. On her visit, Addie hears the story of “Uncle Ry and the Moon,” a poor man who gives gifts to a robber. On Michael’s ...more
Stillwater is a giant panda with meaningful stories to tell. Three siblings: Addie, Michael, and Karl, first discover Stillwater sitting in their backyard, as Stillwater apologetically states that he and his red umbrella have been carried there by the wind. Following their encounter with this giant panda, each of the three children visits Stillwater at his home. On her visit, Addie hears the story of “Uncle Ry and the Moon,” a poor man who gives gifts to a robber. On Michael’s ...more
1. Fantasy
2. This is a collection of tales within a tale about a panda bear who befriends three young children and tells stories to them. Along the way each child is told a personal tale which gives them each their own zen. It is a charming book where morals of fantasy meet everyday life.
3. Critique
a. The storytelling aspect of this book is cute and the characters simple, keeping the focus on the morals of the stories themselves.
b. The morals (for the most part) ...more
2. This is a collection of tales within a tale about a panda bear who befriends three young children and tells stories to them. Along the way each child is told a personal tale which gives them each their own zen. It is a charming book where morals of fantasy meet everyday life.
3. Critique
a. The storytelling aspect of this book is cute and the characters simple, keeping the focus on the morals of the stories themselves.
b. The morals (for the most part) ...more
The story is straightforward and fanciful all at once: a giant panda named Stillwater moves in next door to three siblings, and becomes friends with all of them, telling them stories and teaching them how they might think about things differently. (Stillwater isn't totally didactic, though: he asks questions, and listens, and I like how meets the children where they are, and how there's no expectation of moral perfection.) The pictures are a mix of watercolors (for the scenes where Stillwater's ...more
This 2006 Caldecot Honor book is pure beauty, from the water color illustrations to the wise stories. Karl, Abby and Michael meet Stillwater on a rainy day in their backyard. The next day Abby went to visit Stillwater. They share some cake while Stillwater tells Abby a story about gift giving. Michael visits Stillwater the next day and as they sit high up in a tree Stillwater tells Michael luck. Karl visits next and brings with him a whole pool full of swimming toys even though Michael told him ...more
Summary-
Zen Shorts is a thought-provoking picture book for K-3rd readers. Even though the content and themes would be better understood by older readers, all children would be able to enjoy the beautiful pictures and interesting characters. Zen Shorts is about three children who are visited by a panda bear named Stillwater. Each day one of the children go to visit Stillwater with a problem or question. He tells them stories that make the children reconsider their issues and opinions. ...more
Zen Shorts is a thought-provoking picture book for K-3rd readers. Even though the content and themes would be better understood by older readers, all children would be able to enjoy the beautiful pictures and interesting characters. Zen Shorts is about three children who are visited by a panda bear named Stillwater. Each day one of the children go to visit Stillwater with a problem or question. He tells them stories that make the children reconsider their issues and opinions. ...more
Stillwater is a giant Panda who befriends three children and shares stories with each that teach about the benefits of selflessness, acceptance, and letting go of anger. These stories blend elements from Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophies.
To be honest, I wasn't so sure about this book. It sounded like something that would wow adults and leave children in its philosophical dust. Well, I was right about the first bit - I am wowed! And, predictably, I was wrong about the second bi...more
To be honest, I wasn't so sure about this book. It sounded like something that would wow adults and leave children in its philosophical dust. Well, I was right about the first bit - I am wowed! And, predictably, I was wrong about the second bi...more
Zen Shorts
genre: contemporary fiction
Summary: Stillwater, a gentle panda, dispenses a zen inspired philosophy to three average children living next door. Stillwater, teaches the children how to handle life's difficulties through a series of short enlightening stories.
A. This critique focues on how the illustrations reflect the theme of harmony and peace.
B. The illustrations effectively use composition, scale, color, and line to portray a serene fe...more
genre: contemporary fiction
Summary: Stillwater, a gentle panda, dispenses a zen inspired philosophy to three average children living next door. Stillwater, teaches the children how to handle life's difficulties through a series of short enlightening stories.
A. This critique focues on how the illustrations reflect the theme of harmony and peace.
B. The illustrations effectively use composition, scale, color, and line to portray a serene fe...more
The three short stories in this collection, as the title would imply, move rather slowly. In a very “Zen-like” manner, a giant panda shares philosophical stories with the three kids who live next door. Although the two older children warmed up to the curious panda immediately, the youngest boy was “shy around bears he didn’t know.” That was the only humorous line in the story, the rest took a more solemn, contemplative tone.
The stories reveal basic truths about human nature and...more
The stories reveal basic truths about human nature and...more
Donna Crane
added it
In this Caldecott Honor Winner. exquisite watercolors are accompanied by a graceful and child-friendly introduction to Zen Buddhism and its panda practitioner, Stillwater. Three young siblings each receive the gift of a traditional story from Zen tradition, but the approach is anything but didactic. When the youngest, Karl, comes to visit Stillwater to swim, he is full of resentment towards his older brother, Michael; he spends his whole day complaining rather than enjoying the company of his f...more
Stillwater is a very cool bear who speaks "with a slight panda accent" and moves next door to Addy, Michael, and Karl. They take turns visiting him, and he tells them stories. I love how the illustrations change while Stillwater is telling the stories. And if you look closely in the illustrations after he tells Addy the story of "Uncle Ry and the Moon," Stillwater and Addy are painting the pictures that illustrated that story.
Personal response: Karl, Addy and Michael meet Stillwater, a giant Panda who teaches them life truths through stories (short meditations). The three stories Panda tells the children makes them reconsider why they do the things they do. In other words he is challenging them to reexamine their habits and ideas.In the story Sillwater tells Addy she learns it is better to give than to recieve. Even if you think you have nothing to give, there is always something, and the best thing to give can be fr...more
Jon Muth’s Zen Shorts is about Stillwater the whimsical panda who meets a family of three children. The children found him in their backyard where he was retrieving his lost umbrella. Each of the children visits Stillwater on their own. During the visit, Stillwater shares an old story that teaches each child a lesson. Muth’s watercolor drawings are bright and cheery during Stillwater and the children’s interactions. When Stillwater tells his stories to the children, the illustrations are bl...more
This book introduces children to a Zen approach to the world by telling the story of three children and their new neighbor, Stillwater. Stillwater is a panda whom the children befriend, and when they each visit him, he tells a brief tale which illustrates a Zen principle. The stories get the children to think about the world and their perceptions from a different angle. The watercolor illustrations of the scenes from "real life" are detailed and realistic, and the pictures that go wi...more
Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth is a children's book that introduces key concepts of Buddhism and Taoism through the little tales Stillwater tells a trio of siblings. The story of Stillwater's friendship with Addy, Michael, and Karl are beautifully rendered in vibrant watercolors while the "shorts" are done in a style inspired by Sengai Gibbon.
The framing story for Stillwater's shorts is one many children will recognize. A new and unusual neighbor moves in nearby. This neighbor i...more
The framing story for Stillwater's shorts is one many children will recognize. A new and unusual neighbor moves in nearby. This neighbor i...more
I was very impressed with the lessons taught by the stories. They taught character but they did not directly say “This is a story to teach you a lesson.” It was very subtle and I would guess very well accepted by children. I thought the illustrations were very good, especially the change in style between the regular story and the parables. To be honest, I found the parable “The Farmer’s Luck” to be pretty witty. The picture of the rabbit army is amusing as well as the sympathizing animal ne...more
Jon J. Muth is an author I just recently discovered and was pleasantly surprised. His books re-tell several Buddhist teachings, but adapts them to kids and surrounds them with beautiful drawings. In this story three siblings meet their new neighbor the Zen Panda called Stillwater. The panda plays with each of the kids and tells each of them a tale that will help them deal with their own troubles. All these tales are about zen philosophy. Addy learns that it is better to give than to receive. Eve...more
Amanda (Amanda's Weekly Zen)
rated it
Absolutely adorable. A fantastic book book with Zen tales for children. Stillwater tells tales that are simple yet still thought provoking.The first tale is of Stillwater's uncle who likes to give gifts to the people he loves for his own birthday. He is so giving that one day a robber comes to his house while Stillwater's uncle is home. The uncle welcomes the robber and because he does not like to let anyone leave empty handed he takes his only possession, the rob he is wearing, and gives it to ...more
Citation: Zen Shorts, by Jon J Muth (Scholastic, 2005)
1. Genre: Picture Book/ Contemporary Realism
2. Summary: Zen Shorts, is a sweet book about a family of children, who learn important life-lessons taught by a giant panda living next door to them.
3. Critique:
a. Zen Shorts is a collection of short stories introduced by the author as stories within a main story.
b. This is an effective and skillful way to weave several, short, traditional Asian life-lessons in...more
1. Genre: Picture Book/ Contemporary Realism
2. Summary: Zen Shorts, is a sweet book about a family of children, who learn important life-lessons taught by a giant panda living next door to them.
3. Critique:
a. Zen Shorts is a collection of short stories introduced by the author as stories within a main story.
b. This is an effective and skillful way to weave several, short, traditional Asian life-lessons in...more
Zen or no Zen, this book is a gem. Stillwater the Panda shows up on the porch just as a young boy reaches his limits. The bearlike mammal claims to be searching for an umbrella that might cause concern. This same amazing panda brings a new philosophical perspective to the three children of a certain house. No need to get upset, little brother: there is a parable to explain away your feelings of neglect and/or aggression. I hope that all who might have resented the heck out of their older b...more
This is a beautiful book from cover to cover. The inside end paper has cherry blossoms and Stillwater’s umbrella on it. The story itself, of the bear Stillwater and his friendship with the three children, is told on pages in full color framed in white. But when Stillwater is telling a story (a “Zen short”), the pages no longer are framed and are in 3 colors only: black, white and either light blue, light green or beige, one color for each story. This makes it easy to differentiate the stories wi...more
This was enjoyed by both myself and Julia and I'd encourage anyone thinking about passing it by because of the title or cover not to do so. I almost walked right by it because the title didn't grab me at all. The only reason I stopped to take a better look was because of the panda and I'm glad I did.
We read all three stories one night before bedtime and two of them I'd come across before. It was pleasant reading them over with the slight differences.
The Farmer's Luck is an especially...more
We read all three stories one night before bedtime and two of them I'd come across before. It was pleasant reading them over with the slight differences.
The Farmer's Luck is an especially...more
Genre- Picture Book
Reading Level- K-4
Topic and Theme- A wise panda shares his wisdom. Peace in life
Curricula Use- Read Aloud
Social- Life lessons taught in a way that children can understand.
Literary Elements- A wise panda, Stillwater shares his wisdom with three children.
Text and Pictures- The text and pictures go together to tell the story.
Summary- "Zen Shorts" is an excellent book to share with chil...more
Reading Level- K-4
Topic and Theme- A wise panda shares his wisdom. Peace in life
Curricula Use- Read Aloud
Social- Life lessons taught in a way that children can understand.
Literary Elements- A wise panda, Stillwater shares his wisdom with three children.
Text and Pictures- The text and pictures go together to tell the story.
Summary- "Zen Shorts" is an excellent book to share with chil...more
Genre: Children’s Book, Traditional Literature
Summary:
The gentle panda that appears at Addy. Michael, and Karl’s door brings with him a quiet Eastern presence, introducing them to a world of surprises and stories outside the realm of their experience. Based on Zen Buddhist stories, Stillwater, the panda, retells these tales to the children while spending time with them to help them develop gentle and giving traits.
Critique:
The alternate ill...more
Summary:
The gentle panda that appears at Addy. Michael, and Karl’s door brings with him a quiet Eastern presence, introducing them to a world of surprises and stories outside the realm of their experience. Based on Zen Buddhist stories, Stillwater, the panda, retells these tales to the children while spending time with them to help them develop gentle and giving traits.
Critique:
The alternate ill...more
A giant panda bear that tells stories from the Huainanzi. What's not to like?
I bought this as a goodbye present for the young girl I nannied for. I chose the book because of the beautiful pictures especially the second to last page in which the panda bows to the young boy. The child I nannied for did tae kwon do and the the connection to zen and bowing out of respect was something important to her.
The story was beautifully written yet at times over the 7 year olds head. But the pictures made up for any confusion and the book will grow with her and allow...more
The story was beautifully written yet at times over the 7 year olds head. But the pictures made up for any confusion and the book will grow with her and allow...more
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Jon J Muth is an American comic artist. His works include J. M. DeMatteis' graphic novel Moonshadow, Neil Gaiman's The Sandman: The Wake (along with Michael Zulli, Charles Vess), Mike Cary's Lucifer: Nirvana and Swamp Thing: Roots. Muth has gone on to an award-winning career as a children's book writer and illustrator. He received a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators for his illustrations...more
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