Muth illustrates his books in vibrant watercolors, and his prose is. Stillwater, a large panda, tells each child a story that. Your contribution will help us to provide free books and literacy resources to. He has received numerous awards and critical acclaim and worked with many talented people. On the last page, muth gives more details about zen, the real people behind his imaginary characters, and shares the origins of the stories. Aug 25, 2016 toby and anton have a book called zen shorts, which features a wise panda teaching kids life lessons. Jon j muth has written and illustrated many enchanting picture books, including his caldecott honor book zen shorts and its sequel, the new york times bestselling picture book zen ties. Once stillwater comes to your home, youll never look at things the same way. Then they will love our short stories featuring can. Zen is a japanese word that simply means meditation. In his book, zen shorts, jon j muth addresses the young reader through three short stories. Stillwater seems to have just the right story to share that matches an emotional challenge. Sep 10, 2015 today the awardwinning illustrator and childrens book author is known for his acclaimed picture books. When i say this, though, i dont want my statement taken lightly.
Zen shorts is a 2005 childrens picture book by jon j. Zen shorts by jon j muth picture book the parent store. Zen shorts are short meditations ideas to puzzle over. My name is jon j muth and im a writer and illustrator of childrens books. Apr 27, 2017 this is a story with three beautiful reflection stories within it, hence the duration. A bear appears outside michael, karl, and addys house. The first book in the series, zen shorts, received a caldecott honor. The three questions, stone soup, and zen shorts a caldecott honor book, among others. Free zen shorts worksheets and literature unit for teachers. This text talk is in the ganag format goal, access prior knowledge, new information, application, goal.
Jon j muth has written and illustrated many enchanting picture books, including his caldecott honor book zen shorts and its sequel, the new york times. Muth defines zen and explains that this book is a grouping of zen shorts. The beautiful watercolor and ink illustrations, like the stories, are deceptively simple, but a careful examination will reveal small details that reinforce the asian inspiration. This book serves as a wonderful platform from which mindfulness can be explored.
Zen shorts, by extension, is the most beautiful picture book of 2005. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Your children will enjoy stillwater as he shares his wisdom in zen fashion. Three children, karl, michael and addy, encounter a. A short authors note at the end of the book explains a little more about zen and the stories, and parents can find more of these stories for interested children in one of the classic references such as zen flesh, zen bones. Featured books by jon j muth jon j muths interest in eastern philosophy is evident in the tales he tells as well as in his style of illustration. Jon j muth 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. Zen shorts is a childrens picture book about three children, karl, michael and addy who receive enlightening personal truths, specific to each of the children, from a gentle yet wise panda bear.
Comprehension by chapter, vocabulary challenges, creative reading response activities and projects, tests, and much more. To michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. Authorillustrator jon muth followed up the popular zen shorts with a number of other zen tales including zen ghosts and zen ties which are all worth reading. Zen shorts teaching guide scholastic books for kids. Jon j muth introduces three short zen meditations which he describes as ideas to puzzle over in his clear, concise authors note in a playful, contemplative book that does indeed gently encourage children to think more deeply about how they can. But the wisest book of all this year is a collection of tales called zen shorts from jon j. Zen ghosts was published in september 2010 by scholastic press. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required.
Zen shorts is the story of how stillwater the panda becomes friends with three kids addy, michael and karl. Michael, karl and addy discover a giant panda in their backyard. Im sorry for arriving unannounced, he tells the children. Other beloved titles from jon include the new york times bestseller hi, koo.
Jan 01, 2005 zen shorts is a beautiful childrens book of very profound zen parables, with timeless moral lessons. Muth promotes forgiveness, kindness, relationship skills and. Stillwater teaches each child lessons through stories that help them handle the events in their lives. I studied abroad in japan, particularly zen buddhism so this picure book was a delight to read. Luminous watercolors are used to illustrate stories that have asian roots and those with origins in western cultures. Jan 01, 2005 an adorable and tranquil book about a panda bear named stillwater moving in to a new neighbourhood and next door to three siblings. Zen shorts caldecott honor book muth, jon j, muth, jon j. Like the three questions 2002, muths latest is both an accessible, strikingly illustrated story. Jun 01, 2010 jon j muth has written and illustrated many enchanting picture books, including his caldecott honor book zen shorts and its sequel, the new york times bestselling picture book zen ties. Feb 06, 20 zen involves seeing things without distortion created by your own thoughts. Oct 10, 2017 zen stories are often short, but full of wit and wisdom. Muth lives in upstate new york with his wife and four children, where he spends time chasing the clouds from his brushes. His name is stillwater, and he tells addy the tale of his uncle ry, who gave the robber who could find nothing to steal in his house his own. Zen shorts caldecott honor book and millions of other books are available for instant access.
Zen shorts by jon j muth, march 1st 2005 by scholastic press. Zen and the art of jon muth american libraries magazine. Ive written and illustrated the three questions and stone soup, and zen shorts and zen ties. I particularly like the stories that stillwater shares. This book is so sweet and peacefulits perfect for a foggy morning and a cozy blanket and a nice hot cup of coffee or cocoa. These stories are intended to, hone our ability to act with intuition. He was persistent in the pursuit of autographed books by the writers and artists he admired, including gorey, sendak, heaney, byatt, morrison, updike and many more. The childrens books i most enjoy are ones i read when i was a child, like frog and toad and anything else by arnold lobel, gnomes, sylvester and the magic pebble, strega nona, all of leo leonnis stories, christina katerina and the box, leo the late bloomer, all of ezra jack keats books, caps for sale, and everything by tomi ungerer. Alyssa davis, 23, caldecott honor book, fiction, animals genre. 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.
Jon j muth introduces three short zen meditations which he describes as ideas to puzzle over in his clear, concise authors note in a playful, contemplative book that does indeed gently encourage children to think more deeply about how they can choose to perceive. Zen shorts book king county library system bibliocommons. Zen shorts is a picture book written and illustrated by jon j. Muths zen socks scholastic will be released september 29, and a poster he illustrated for ala will be available october 19. Read on and be amazed how these 3 short zen stories will speak so deeply. Jon j muth introduces three short zen meditations which he describes as ideas. Muth has balanced jawdroppingly beautiful watercolors with a story that speaks with both humor and serenity. Zen shorts begins with a young boy exclaiming that there is a bear holding an umbrella outside his house. Find books like zen shorts from the worlds largest community of readers.
Muth started what has been over a decade in childrens books. One day, three children addy, michael, and karl are surprised by the appearance outside of a giant panda bear. Best books, top 100 picture books poll tagged with. Zen shorts are short meditationsideas to puzzle over. Zen shorts was named a caldecott honor book and spent 41 weeks on the new york times best seller list. Zen shorts by jon muth and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This is how three children meet stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. Jul 25, 2018 if you like these lesson ideas, please check out our book, lessons inspired by picture books for primary grades. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. Well, for those who arent twenty, or those who are but like to remain child like in spirit, our book of the day, john j. Limpidly beautiful watercolors and a wry, puckish gentleness mark these three zen stories, one for each of three children. The three stories he tells in zen shorts are stillwaters gift to the children and to us, the readers. They are a big part of what makes this tradition interesting and compelling. Your children will enjoy stillwater as he shares his wisdom in zen.
As they prepare to cross they see a young, beautiful woman in need of help to brave the waters. Zen shorts is a new york times bestseller, a quill award nominee, and was awarded the 2006 caldecott honor. We deliver the joy of reading in 100% recycled packaging with free standard shipping on u. Grade 2 grade 3 teaching the book overview books for kids. The first time i read it, i was sitting on the floor reading to the boys, and one part of the book really jumped out at me. Zen shorts is a beautiful childrens book of very profound zen parables, with timeless moral lessons. Muths remarkable book provides the opportunity to teach students to apply the valuable lessons from the story to their own livesand to also see relationships between the illustrations and the story. Through stories zen stories, he teaches each of them to look at the world in new ways. Zen shorts by jon j muth curating picture books to. Zen shorts scribd read books, audiobooks, and more.
With his zen approach to life, stillwater shows three brothers the value of material goods, the boundaries of good and bad, and what frustration does when its held inside. This highly original caldecott honor book, first published in 2005, has been selected by teachers as one of their fifty favorite picture books. Stillwater tells them zen buddhist stories, zen shorts, about sharing, carrying grudges and the way you think of your life. A giant panda moves into the neighborhood and begins telling children ancient zen tales in this picture book.
It elquenctly and effortlessly captures the essense of zen, meditation, taoism, and more. A senior and junior monk are walking down a path together and they come to a river with a strong current. Addy, michael and karl meet their neighbor, stillwater, a panda bear. Transcript from an interview with jon j muth reading rockets. Like a spoonful of sugar, zen shorts imparts ancient wisdom about life to children in a painless and charming way. Zen shorts jon j muth can cubs storytime enjoy classic childrens stories told by teacher matt at can cubs. The first lesson is the longest, allow for 30 40 minutes. Michael, says karl, theres a really big bear in the backyard. The senior monk carries the woman on his shoulder and lets her gently down on the other bank. To addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. Zen shorts are short meditations ideas to puzzle over, they often challenge us to reexamine our habits, desires, concepts, and fears.
Zen shorts picture book skokie public library bibliocommons. Jan 12, 2018 introducing zen philosophy to kids can be a backdoor into establishing calmness, and intelligent emotional response when faced with stressful situations. She was about 120 and didnt look like an authority on grand prix. These wellwritten and beautifully illustrated books introduce children as young as 4 to the peaceful and emotionally intelligent aspects of buddhism. The story starts when siblings addy, michael, and karl meet stillwater. In an accompanying authors note, muth explains zen and the origins of the stories. Zen shorts ebook king county library system bibliocommons. Free zen shorts study unit worksheets for teachers to print. This resource includes detailed lesson plans, essential questions, worksheets, rubrics and assessments. Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month.
This is a story with three beautiful reflection stories within it, hence the duration. Zen shorts by jon j muth, is an engaging book, told through the eyes of a little boy and girl as well as stillwater, their panda friend. Muths illustrations and writing are equally calm, which makes. Aug 21, 2019 zen shorts jon j muth can cubs storytime enjoy classic childrens stories told by teacher matt at can cubs. Muth, zen shorts about elizabeth bird elizabeth bird is currently the collection development manager of the evanston public library system and a former materials specialist for new york public library. Look at the world in a brand new way using the teachings of stillwater, the giant panda bear. Read the book first, then go over the powerpoint with the class. Jon j muth, author of the bestselling book, the three questions, has crafted another profound and winning picture book. It is through stories like these that we see another point of view, another way of seeing things, and another world we never knew existed. Now ive also had the chance to illustrate other authors works, like old turtle and the broken truth and come on, rain. Other beloved titles from jon include the three questions, gershons monster by eric kimmel, and the christmas magic by lauren thompson. Gently philosophical, the stories are actually short meditations from two zen traditions, zen buddhism and taoism. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures.