Kuan Yin: The Princess Who Became the Goddess of Compassion

Miao Shan isn't your typical princess. She likes to spend her time quietly meditating with the creatures of the forest or having adventures with dragons and tigers. Miao Shan's heart is so full of love that her dream is to spread happiness throughout the land and help people endlessly. But her father has other plans for her--he intends to have her married and remain in the palace. With the help of her little sister Ling, Miao Shan escapes and begins her journey to discover the true meaning of compassion.

Wow, these illustrations are perfect, and amazing. Caldecott - you better be looking at this book. And the story. It is not one I had heard before. It’s about the deity Kuan Yin, and how she comes to be. She is found in many traditions and stories, and this is just one, but it is so lovely.

Gorgeous art. Author's note. Important story. But, text a bit awkward, and somehow the story didn't satisfy me or my inner child. I've no doubt that others have good reason to rate it highly, though.

Kuan Yin is a Buddhist goddess of compassion, and this is her origin story. She once lived as a princess named Miao Shan, who wished to live a spiritual life and help as many people and animals as she could through her kindness. Her father wanted her to marry, but she wished to devote herself to others.

This story is told from the perspective of her younger sister, Ling. It is an engaging story to teach children that love and compassion are the world's strongest forces, and one can achieve great things when they utilize them.

I love the sisterly bond shown in this story. As someone with three sisters who I love dearly, I love the way the two girls stick up for each other to their father.

The illustrations in this book are stunning, I show more couldn't look away from the pages.

Kuan Yin was a Sprituality & Practice Best Books of 2021 Winner, a Moonbeam CHildren's Book Awards Silver Winner in 2022, and a Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year selection. show less

This book would be a great choice for a read aloud for intermediate aged students.
This book is about love and the importance of following your dreams. A girl watches her sister run away from her role as princess and become exiled because of her decision. In the end, her sister becomes the Goddess of Compassion.
If I read this book in my classroom, I would use it to discuss and bring awareness to different religions and customs within different cultures, but it also could be a difficult book to read to children because it talks about Gods and Goddesses and this may be a controversial topic for some.

Kuan Yin: The Princess Who Became the Goddess of Compassion by Maya van Der Meer is one truly mesmerizing and miraculous story.

I really enjoy this picture book. It brings forth a Buddhist Goddess that I had never heard of before. The story itself is fantastical and intriguing, and I am very fortunate that I had the opportunity to pick it up. I hope more readers find books like this because it will open your eyes up to other stories of religion and myths. The illustrations alone are also incredibly beautiful and am just see.

This story could easily be enjoyed by readers aged 6 and up.

Five out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGlaley, Bala Kids and Shambhala Publications Inc. for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest show more review. show less

This story is about love and following your dreams. When two sisters are exploring their place in their world, they learn about perseverance, passions, following their dreams, and their love for each other. This story has Buddhist and Chinese ties. I would keep it in my classroom for students who can relate to that ethnic or religious background. This story would be great for 4th to 6th graders!