Name: Zen Shorts
Rating: 4.166666666666667 (6 reviews)

Jon J. Muth

Fascinated by the storytelling giant panda named Stillwater, Addy, Michael, and Karl can't wait to hear what their new friend will tell them next, in an exciting picture book with vibrant watercolor and ink drawings throughout.

Zen Shorts

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. "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.

Sarah Sammis

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 is of a different culture or from somewhere far away and is willing to share stories of his life. In this case, the neighbor is extra special for being a panda while all the other neighbors are human.

One by one the children spend time with Stillwater and their time with him inspire him to tell one of his stories. The three stories he tells are "Uncle Ry and the Moon", "The Farmer's Luck," and "A Heavy Load." They are roughly about the beauty of simplicity (or doing more with less), seeing the good in bad events and the importance of not holding a grudge. These three are good talking points for parents and children.

Zen Shorts

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