Buddha Stories [Hardcover]

Demi (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1997 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A golden goose demonstrates the wealth of kindness.

A rabbit learns not to believe everything he hears.

Throughout the ages, moral tales have been passed down from one generation to the next. Centuries ago in China, hundreds of parables were told by the Buddha to his devoted followers. His messages became widespread through fables adapted by famous storytellers like Aesop and La Fontaine. In this collection, the author has chosen ten of the most engaging classic tales from the Buddha's works. Compiled and illustrated by Demi, this wonderful collection of stories is sure to draw young readers into the ancient teachings of the Buddha, teachings that are as relevant today as they were over two thousand years ago.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Some originals of the earliest Chinese-Buddhist sutras still exist--printed in gold ink on deep indigo paper. To see one is to sink into it. Demi, devout Buddhist and illustrator of children's literature, recreates the stories in the form of a children's book with smooth writing and stunning brushwork. These moral tales, taken from Jataka literature of Buddhism, relate engaging incidents among humans and animals that highlight a valuable lesson, each complete with a final moral. Children are sure to fall in love with this masterful combination of art and moral education.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-7. Many of the over 500 Jataka tales can be accessed in various editions, but the 10 simple stories Demi presents here are rich in significance and provide a fine introduction to the genre. These fables have explicit morals: "The greatest wealth is the wealth of kindness," "Don't be deceived by a donkey in a lion's skin," but there is often more to the tale than the stated meaning. The turtle, who clamps his jaws on a stick to enable his geese-friends to carry him through the air, meets an untimely end when he tries to defend himself from teasing. The moral, "Disaster can come from opening your mouth at the wrong time," might equally be "Pride goeth before a fall," or "If turtles were meant to fly they would have wings," or "When friends provide a favor, do just what they ask," or a number of other lessons. This book is designed after a model of "the world's first printed book," a woodblock sutra with text and pictures in gold on indigo paper. Demi's pen-and-gold ink lines are as firm and meticulous as ever, displaying astonishing detail and appealing composition. Unfortunately, the gold-on-indigo is not easy to read, and young children may not have the patience to decipher the images. This lovely object does honor to Buddha, however, and the tales are rewarding.?Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (March 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805048863
• ISBN-13: 978-0805048865
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Eastern

More About the Author

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Yarrow Point, Washington. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than one hundred children's books, including picture-book biographies. Her work has received numerous awards and accolades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buddha Stories, July 18, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Buddha Stories (Hardcover)

An excellent book. Most of the stories have a theme of wonderful compassion and it is set out in such way that children are encouraged to think about what is really of value in life. We borrowed this book from the library many times.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book, August 23, 2003

By 

N. Fiddner "naturner5" (Crozet, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Buddha Stories (Hardcover)

My five year old son loves listening to these stories. I have long been looking for books that help children understand moral values. This is my favorite Demi book.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good collection but poor choice of colors for illustration., September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Buddha Stories (Hardcover)

This is an excellent collection of about 10 jataka tales of Buddha's past lifetime, in about one page per story. Younger children, however may not enjoy reading the book on their own because of the color illustration quality, i.e., light gold on black paper.