The Prince Who Ran Away: The Story Of Gautama Buddha [Hardcover]

Anne Rockwell (Author), Fahimeh Amiri (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2001 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

On a night more than two thousand years ago, a prince was born in India. He could have been the most powerful rajah in all the world. But instead, the prince chose to become a common beggar, seeking a way to end the suffering he saw around him. He knew riches could not end suffering. He learned that deprivation could not end suffering. Then, under an enormous spreading fig tree, deep in concentration, he found Enlightenment. He understood Dharma, the law governing all things. He had achieved Nirvana, the peace that triumphs over suffering. And he found this knowledge and understanding inside his own mind, nowhere else. He became the Buddha, and taught his way of ending suffering to all who wished to learn.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Amiri's (Babri) traditionally drafted, brilliantly colored Persian miniatures illuminate this retelling of the life of Buddha in every sense of the word. Paintings framed with pools of lotus blossoms and banks of swirling clouds follow the young man born to a rajah and his queen, as he leaves behind a life of wealth and searches for enlightenment. Showing several events in a single panel, Amiri paints the prince leaving his horse and servant, donning yellow robes, and cutting his hair. Later, as he sits under the famous great Bo Tree, he defeats a multicolored army of wild-eyed demons who tempt his resolve, and begins to preach and attract followers. Rockwell's (Only Passing Through) accomplished prose ("His hair was black and shining as the night, and his skin was burnished dark gold like the morning sun") blends factual information with fanciful miracle tales. This multilayered picture book can be read on many levels, as a classic quest by younger readers or as a spiritual text that will spark discussion and reflection for more sophisticated readers. Amiri's paintings serve, like mandalas, as a source of much of its complexity and depth. Ages 7-10.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-Combining aspects of folklore and biography, Rockwell creates a life of the Buddha. By using traditional elements and eschewing more contemporary historically based investigations, she establishes a smoothly flowing narrative that avoids unanswered questions and the need for a more complete backgrounding in the Hinduism out of which the Buddha came or daily life in ancient India. Because Buddhism is by definition a critical response to Hinduism, there are occasional moments in the book to which Hindus might take exception, but Rockwell does not aim to critique or denigrate Buddhism's parent but rather to present Buddhism as the Buddha might have seen it. Students interested in religion and those prone to ponder why things are as they are will find this an interesting and enlightening introduction to one of the world's chief religions. Amiri's illustrations are bright, expressive, and well keyed to the facing text.

Coop Renner, Moreno Elementary School, El Paso, TX

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (November 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679891889
• ISBN-13: 978-0679891888
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.4 x 11.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,519,773 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Eastern
  • #100 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( B ) > Buddha

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, March 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Prince Who Ran Away: The Story Of Gautama Buddha (Hardcover)

This is one of the most moving and best books for children about Buddha's life. There are many other good books, but this one is really straight forward and clear in his life's details. I would use this books with others to teach about Buddha, but this book would be the cornerstone while teaching about his life on Earth.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful picture book, November 16, 2005

By 

Raine (Bellingham, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prince Who Ran Away: The Story Of Gautama Buddha (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful, simple story about the life of Gautama Buddha with beautiful illustrations. It covers all the basic "facts" of the story of Prince Siddhartha. The images (and story) are strong and I worried my 5 year old might be frightened as she is easily upset. However, she LOVES this book and is fascinated by both the story and illustrations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing (true) Story and Drawings, January 1, 2011

By 

Marie-France G. Morin "MFM" (Lake Tahoe, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Prince Who Ran Away: The Story Of Gautama Buddha (Hardcover)

This book is well written, well done and informs on the life of Buddah. Absolutely fascinating. My 4-year old daughter wants this story every other night...