Zen Shorts

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 attached to material possessions, the variable nature of luck, and the importance of letting go of anger, are all engaging. But it is the framing narrative, the lovable Stillwater, and Jon J. Muth's beautiful watercolor illustrations that truly make this picture book show more extraordinary. This was a Caldecott Honor Book, and truly deserved the distinction... show less

This beautifully illustrated book brings big ideas like wealth, life, giving, forgiving and anger to a very young audience. Perhaps the best thing about Muth's book is the opportunity it presents to a teacher or parent to discuss difficult issues with children. Is that what really good children's literature supposed to do?

Stillwater, the beloved Zen panda, now in his own Apple TV+ original series!
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 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 show more in everyone they touch. show less

It went by too quickly - doesn't work for adults who already know the lessons, the stories (in my very personal opinion) - might work better for innocent children - truly is lovely, though.

ETA - I had better reread it.
Ok, now I've done so. The trick is to no let it go by so quickly. Mindfully spend time with each page, each thought. Reflect on whether you've really been applying the lessons. I did enjoy and appreciate it more this time, and would be even more likely to share it with a child.

I greatly enjoyed "Zen Shorts", the central message of which was for the main characters, three siblings named Michael, Karl, and Addy, to learn how to treat themselves and others. This story also conveyed the importance of learning how to be self-reflective, as well as how to entertain different perspectives in how one views life. I liked this book for its soothing, rhythmic language, as seen in the Zen panda, Stillwater's, meditative short stories, the engaging writing, which succeeding in drawing me into the book and allowing me to see myself in its believable and well-developed characters, and its beautiful watercolor illustrations, all of which enhanced the story and were appropriate to the peaceful, Zen mood that it exuded. I also show more liked this book for the pearls of wisdom it shared through the telling of Stillwater's stories, such as learning not to carry anger as doing so interferes with one's ability to enjoy life's moments, and that an instance that seems to be one of misfortune can, in fact, be good luck in disguise. This book invited both its characters and its readers to consider the world from a different point-of-view through its sharing of brief tales which illustrated Zen principles, such as forgiveness, kindness, and compassion. The graceful art and thought-provoking short stories in "Zen Shorts" made it a thoroughly enjoyable read which served to both enlighten and inspire me. show less

I loved this book. Stillwater is such a lovable character who shares such powerful lessons with the children in the story through his storytelling. In this story he teachers about generosity, luck, and letting go of anger. The illustrations are beautiful and only help enhance the lessons taught.

I simply love this book. It's so well crafted that you can't help but fall in love with it. It's a wonderful book about life lessons, relating to others, and generosity as well as a great introduction to Zen. Of the three stories that the character, Stillwater, tells to the children in the book, "A Heavy Load" is my absolute favorite.