Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children and Parents (The Little Light of Mine Series) - Softcover

Sarah Conover; Valerie Wahl

Softcover

ISBN 10: 091005567X ISBN 13: 9780910055673

Publisher: Eastern Washington Univ Pr, 2000

Synopsis

Sarah Conover's collection of traditional Buddhist tales leads us to the kind of implicit understanding of ourselves and others that only stories can provide. Following the Buddha through his various transformations, these clarified and often humorous narrative journeys open the ancient master's profound and gentle teachings to persons of all ages, religions, races, and ideological persuasions. Over and over, this marvelous book tells us, "Let go of your anger, your fear, your greedy desire. Embrace gladness. Follow the path." The stories form a wondrous pageant: of elephants, monkeys, monks, and men working through foolishness toward wisdom and delight.

About this title

About the Author:

Sara Conover teaches high school language arts in Spokane, Washington. She has produced numerous award-winning documentaries for PBS, the Discovery Channel, and the United Nations.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 6-9-Most of these 32 stories are only a few pages long, and the longer ones seem drawn out. Wry, rather than humorous, many are less-known Jataka tales. The traditions of India, Japan, and Tibet are well represented, while China and other Buddhist-influenced countries are not. Although many of these stories resemble fables, their level of language as well as the parablelike meanings demand skillful readers. Oblique as many tales are, readers must be good interpreters, alert to implications. The vocabulary ("asceticism," "gratification," "enlightenment") in the "Young Reader" introduction signals its level of sophistication. The narrative style is sometimes arch ("sprite," "thee"), sometimes moralizing. The dozen full-page illustrations are fine line drawings, whose realistic style helps ground these spiritual anecdotes. Each story is preceded by a wise "saying," providing attractive and accessible nuggets of Buddhist thought. Sources for sayings and stories appear in a valuable annotated bibliography. This is not a complete introduction to the religion, but to its ethos, much as a collection of parables would be for Christianity. Although there are several similar compilations in print, the growth of Buddhism in the U.S. might provide a demand for this one, too.-Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Eastern Washington Univ Pr
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 091005567X
• ISBN 13: 9780910055673
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 163