Zen Shorts

"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 Addie 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 gracef...

"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 Addie 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.

琼·穆特(Jon J Muth)，生于美国俄亥俄州的辛辛那提市，以优美恬静的画风在绘本创作和插画领域享有盛誉。他擅长将清透灵润的水彩画与发人深省的哲思故事结合在一起，作品中透着一种悠远的禅意和古老东方文化的神韵。琼·穆特的《禅的故事》获得凯迪克大奖，《尼古拉的三个问题》被《纽约时报》称赞为能够“默默地改变生命”。此外，他还获得过美国插画师协会金奖和美国犹太图书馆协会奖——雪莉·泰勒奖。