Scholastic Booktalk

Published in March 2005 by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic

Watch this video booktalk.

“Limpidly beautiful watercolors and a wry, puckish gentleness mark these three Zen stories….Every word and image comes to make as perfect a picture book as can be.” – Kirkus, starred review

“A thought-provoking meditation.” – Booklist, starred review

“Taken simply as a picture book, Zen Shorts is interesting and visually lovely. As an introduction to Zen, it is a real treat….begging to be shared and discussed.” – School Library Journal

This booktalk is aimed at elementary age listeners:

Stillwater’s stories have different things to say to different people. What do they say to you?

Addy and Michael and Karl met Stillwater when the wind blew the giant panda’s umbrella into their backyard. Later, when they went to visit him, he told them the most amazing stories, stories that showed them new things about themselves and their lives. Stillwater told Michael a story about good luck and bad luck. He told Karl a story about not keeping things you don’t need any longer, and he told Addy a story about being happy about who you are and what you have. And all his stories showed the three children ways to see themselves and their world that they’d never considered before. So come and listen to Stillwater’s stories, and see what they say to you.

This booktalk is aimed at middle or high school age listeners:

Quiet stories that can slip into your mind, ask their questions, and perhaps change your life.

Some stories are loud, shouting in your face. Some stories are long, stretching on page after page, hour after hour. Some stories slide through your mind quickly, like a gust of wind or a ripple of water, leaving nothing of themselves behind.

But these stories are not those stories. These stories are quiet, and short, and linger in your mind as you think about what they mean, looking for the answers to the questions they ask.

What is good luck? What is bad luck? Who is richer, the person who has everything or the person who wants nothing but what he has? Is it better to look to your past or to your future for wisdom or inspiration?

Let these quiet stories slip into your mind, ask their questions, and perhaps change your life.

This Booktalk was written by librarian and booktalking expert Joni R. Bodart

• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store

  Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth On a journey to understand what makes man happy, three monks encounter a village of frightened, unfriendly people. The monks cleverly entice the people to leave their houses and join them in making soup from stones. The soup not only warms their bellies but also the villagers' hearts as they see just how much they have to give and how much more comes back to them in return. Learning Benefits This tale about sharing and friendship teaches the importance of reachi $16.95 Hardcover Book | Grades K-1

  
  Stone Soup
  Grades K-1 $16.95
  
• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store

  Zen Shorts: Collector's Edition by Jon J. Muth, "Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard. " This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth - and Stillwater the bear - present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch. Learn more about Jon J Muth. $25.00 books;hardcover books;hardcover collections | Ages 4-6

  
  Zen Shorts: Collector's Edition
  Ages 4-6 $25.00