Karl, Michael, and Addy are intrigued with their new neighbor, Stillwater, a kindly giant panda who speaks with a slight panda accent, when he comes over to retrieve his red umbrella from their backyard. One at a time, the siblings, even the youngest, Karl, who is "shy around bears he doesn't know," visit Stillwater at his house, and he tells each child a special story. To Addy, who brings him a housewarming gift, he tell the story of his Uncle Ry, a generous panda who gives his only robe to a raccoon who comes to the house to rob him. Michael visits next, worried about how unpredictable life is. The two of them sit companionably in a tall tree while Stillwater relates a tale about a rabbit farmer who has good and bad luck, but understands not to take life for granted. (This story will remind you of the children's picture book classic, Fortunately, by Remy Charlip.) And finally, the littlest brother, Karl, comes over bearing a wagonload of inflatable toys to take swimming in Stillwater's small wading pool. Karl is mad at Michael for always telling him what to do. The wise panda tells him a story about two traveling mice monks who assist an ungrateful young woman. This one is about letting go of your anger and resentments, and going on with your life.
THEMES: BROTHERS AND SISTERS. BUDDHA AND BUDDHISM. FOLKLORE. JAPAN.
Karl, Michael, and Addy are intrigued with their new neighbor, Stillwater, a kindly giant panda who speaks with a slight panda accent, when he comes over to retrieve his red umbrella from their backyard. One at a time, the siblings, even the youngest, Karl, who is "shy around bears he doesn't know," visit Stillwater at his house, and he tells each child a special story. To Addy, who brings him a housewarming gift, he tell the story of his Uncle Ry, a generous panda who gives his only robe to a raccoon who comes to the house to rob him. Michael visits next, worried about how unpredictable life is. The two of them sit companionably in a tall tree while Stillwater relates a tale about a rabbit farmer who has good and bad luck, but understands not to take life for granted. (This story will remind you of the children's picture book classic, Fortunately, by Remy Charlip.) And finally, the littlest brother, Karl, comes over bearing a wagonload of inflatable toys to take swimming in Stillwater's small wading pool. Karl is mad at Michael for always telling him what to do. The wise panda tells him a story about two traveling mice monks who assist an ungrateful young woman. This one is about letting go of your anger and resentments, and going on with your life.
The illustrations, which won Muth a Caldecott Honor, are wondrous. Soft, gentle, pensive watercolors portray the rotund panda dressed in his white robe as he interacts with the three children. The three stories he tells are illustrated in a bold contrasting style of heavy black inks on sold pastel backgrounds. Each of Stillwater's enigmatic parables, taken from traditional Buddhist and Taoist tales, will provoke thoughtful meditation and discussion. Read the whole book aloud first. Then go back and reread each of the three stories Stillwater tells and ask: Why do you think he told this story? What do you think it means? How does it apply to your own life or experiences? And what does a slight panda accent sound like, anyway? In the Author's Note, Muth expands on the underlying philosophy for each one. He says, "'Zen shorts' are short meditations-ideas to puzzle over-tools which hone our ability to act with intuition. They have no goal but they often challenge us to reexamine our habits, desires, concepts, and fears."
THEMES: BROTHERS AND SISTERS. BUDDHA AND BUDDHISM. FOLKLORE. JAPAN.
