Under the Bodhi Tree: A Story of the Buddha

Once upon a time in ancient India, a prince was born. His name was Siddhartha, and one day he would inherit a powerful kingdom. His father tried to protect him from the suffering and hardship beyond the palace walls, but just like children everywhere, the prince longed to see the world.

Under the Bodhi Tree is the story of a boy and his journey for understanding that eventually led him to the path of peace. Told in lyrical language, this excellent introduction to the story of the Buddha is beautifully illustrated and perfect for children who are curious about the real people who made history.

The title of this book is what caught my attention as I have a cousin that is named Bodhi. It is a great story of the rising of Buddha and all that he stands for. What stood out to me the most was the prose and it seemed more like poetry to me than a straight forward biography. The book helps young ones to make connections the young Buddha when he was just a child learning about the world. The last is very informational and stands as the more straightforward story of Buddha. I also appreciate the illustrations as they are simple and yet very powerful, and some are whimsical as well.