A richly illustrated retelling inspired by the Lotus Sutra, written for children. This book works equally well for independent reading, listening as it is read aloud, and as an introductory classroom text.
Children are introduced to Guan Yin, the compassionate helper of the Buddha, through a gentle narrative that presents her as a source of comfort in moments of fear, illness, loss, or conflict. The story introduces the traditional practice of reciting Guan Yin’s name in a clear, accessible way, framing it as an expression of mindfulness and care rather than obligation or belief. Repetitive, soothing sentences support young listeners, while the illustrations invite quiet attention and emotional resonance.
Teachers and parents will appreciate the book’s sensitive introduction to an important figure in Mahayana Buddhism and its emphasis on compassion as something children can experience and cultivate themselves. Perfect for family reading, classroom units on world religions, or early explorations of emotional awareness, empathy, and mindful living.
Bhikshuni Jin Rou is author of Buddhist books for children. Her most recent book, written with Terri Nicholson, Guan Yin: The Buddha's Helper, is a Nautilus Silver Award winner and is translated into French, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Over the years, she has been retelling traditional Buddhist teachings conveyed in the sutras and Jataka tales in language that children understand. The first books were illustrated by her students. Other books include The Kind Monk, Under the Bodhi Tree, Snow-Covered Peaks, Amitabha s Happy Land, No Words and a series of Jataka tales on ecology: Giant Turtle s Nap, Come Back. O Tiger! and The Golden Feather. She is founder of Instilling Goodness Books, an imprint of Buddhist Text Translation Society and editor of Wok Wisely: Chinese Vegetarian Cooking, rated Best New Release of the month in Chinese cooking on Amazon. Jin Rou was born and raised in Mississippi, writing stories between cotton rows, with sticks. She began her writing career in New York City as a puppeteer, creating and performing puppet shows in Central Park, schools and museums. Later she volunteered in an orphanage in Nepal, where she encountered Buddhism. This lead her to being ordained as a Buddhist nun in the Chinese tradition at the City of 10,000 Buddhas in California, where she now lives. She holds a BA in education from University of Southern Mississippi, a MA in Holistic Health from Heartwood College of Healing Arts, and a MA from Dharma Realm Buddhist University, plus a certificate in Writing Children s Books from Washington State University. Terri Nicholson is one of the founding teachers of Instilling Goodness Elementary School located on the monastic grounds of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Mendocino County, California.
