Muth, Jon J. Zen Shorts. New York: Scholastic Press, 2005.
Summary
Addie, Karl, and Michael meet a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood that happens to tell great stories. Stillwater, the bear tells of a poor man who gives gifts to a robber, a farmer who knows that luck can be neither judged nor predicted, and of a monk who carries the weight of a burden long past. Muth uses bright ink colors to add to this delightful tale.
Personal Opinions/Reactions
When I finished reading this book, I felt I received a bonus of four books in one. Jon Muth takes a tale of a panda named Stillwater and then includes three more stories within that are told by him. As Stillwater shares to Addie, Karl, and Michael he links the conversation between each of them with the story topic making an easy shift between stories. He also does a fascinating job with the colors throughout using a different color tone for each story, so to help readers not become confused. Readers and listeners will be enthralled with the stories as well as the interesting use of colors created in this book. One can not help, but fall in love with the bear outside.
I would recommend this book for children in kindergarten through the fourth grade.
Reviews
Caldecott Medal/Honor 01/23/06
Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/06
School Library Journal: “Appealing enough for a group read-aloud, but also begging to be shared and discussed by caregiver and child, Zen Shorts is a notable achievement.”
Library Media Connection: “As well as being read for enjoyment, the stories in this book can be read and discussed several times, forming a basis for discussions about character building and decision making."
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