Reviews (5)

best book for teaching children
This book is an excellent collection of wisdom even for non-buddhists.My children love the tales and the artwork; I love the meanings.

Wisdom for all ages
I've been reading this book to my small son, who seems to like the pictures now more than anything.I know all of the stories now and find myself reading them as life events take place.It's amazing how stories can make a point more than just description.This book does just that.

Water in the Jar
I bought this book thinking that it was one of those gifts that my son probably wouldn't like but that because it was a children's book I could get away with buying it indirectly for myself.Sort of a back-door self gift, at a time when I couldn't afford to buy myself something.Well, I was right about my liking it, but wrong about my son--he liked it too, and still does. We have read and re-read many of our favorite stories (I tend to get in reading grooves sometimes, like the period during which I couldn't read anything but stories from "Interpreter of Maladies").Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Buddhist stories    3. Buddhist stories, American    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Folklore & Mythology    6. Jataka stories    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Children's 9-12 - Religion - World Religions    9. Buddhism    10. Religion - Eastern    11. Juvenile Fiction   

Reviews (7)

Start with chapter one!
This book is pretty much as the Booklist review describes. It is worth noting that the book begins with lengthy forwards and prefaces which I found wordy,ponderous, and a bit moralistic. I began to fear the book would be the same. Not so! when you finally get to chapter one, the pace picks up and the tone and diction become lighter and much friendlier to a high-school level of reader. Far from being moralistic, the author deals with a variety of real issues that young people have to face, and does it in a frank, sensible, easygoing and very constructive fashion. The book should be a help and a comfort to many in its target audience.

Great, great book!
I have been learning about Buddhism for a couple of years now and bought this book for my teenage daughter, in hopes that it would inspire her to join me. She hasn't read it yet, but I decided to pick it up off her shelf one day and read it myself. This book changed my life. It is written in very simple, easy to understand terms. I felt like Diana Winston was a good friend, walking the path with me and explaining things along the way. I loved it. And I am still hoping my daughter will join me!

This book worked miracles for our 15 years old teenager
Our son was in very hard times, struggling to come to terms with the low values (if values) of modern society, modern music and his own background and values. With 14 he went into extrem aggression and anger. He sought refuge in hard rap, which on one side helped to work anger off, but fueled it from another side. Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Children's 12-Up - Religion - World Religions    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Religion    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Compassion    6. Doctrines    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Religion (Young Adult)    9. Religion - Eastern    10. Religious aspects    11. Social Issues - Values & Virtues    12. Social Situations - Values    13. Spiritual life    14. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (3)

Should be titled differently
It is an excellent story book indeed but it should have been titled something like "The Ramayan". I bought it to introduce my child to the festival . Most of the book depicts the Ramayan and there is very little about Diwali as such. I guess it is a challanging task to write a book about Diwali without mentioning Ramayan. The illustrations are very pleasing to the eye and are proportionate to the text contained on each page. This should make it easier for early readers to keep the interest as they read. There is a page on how it is celebrated currently, it would have been more interesting to have some more illustrations to support that. I certainly recommend it to anyone interested.

The Story of Divaali
The pages of this book are beautified with the carefully planed placement of illustrations, similar to efforts put forth in the preparation of the Divaali family festival. This book offers those who don't practice Divaali a detailed understanding to the importance of this celebration and it similarities to the Christian celebration of Christmas.

Great read for children and adults
Accurate ancient Hindu story, very nicely done for children and many adults. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Divali    4. Folklore    5. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Nonreligious    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Rama (Hindu deity)    9. Religion - Eastern    10. Råama (Hindu deity)    11. Sita (Hindu deity)    12. Såitåa (Hindu deity)   

Reviews (9)

Her favorite book
My six-year old daughter lets everyone know this is her very favorite book.

Great as part of a collection
My 6 year old and 8 year old enjoy the story this book tells.It helps them to ask questions and start the process of understanding the "big picture".This book along with many others written for children about kindness and Buddhism are an important part of bringing up a well rounded person.

Nice Pictures and Good Stories
I purchased this book because it looked like a nice introduction to Buddah. My daugher and I both throroughly enjoyed the book. My daughter is 4 and a half and she first went through the book to look at it's pictures and attempted to figure out each story. As we read each story she enjoyed guessing what was going to happen next and how each animal would react by her first impressions by the artwork. It is nicely written for a read aloud book and contains timeless stories about interaction. I highly reccommend this book, even in you are not interested in Buddah as a religious figure, but looking for tales of common sense and relating to others. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Historical - Asia    5. Jataka    6. Jataka stories    7. Jataka stories, English    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Khuddakanikaya    10. Paraphrases, English    11. Religion - Eastern    12. Suttapitaka    13. Tipitaka    14. Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Other   

Reviews (3)

Review by a 5 year old
My son loves the book How Ganesh Got his Elephant Head! I have read it to him and his friends at least a hundred times! Although the author's choice of vocabulary is complicated for a five year old, my son has learned many new words and their meaning.
Great book, my daughter loves it, but not 100% authentic
My daughter who is four loves this book.I was a little surprised that she liked it so much, since it is a little advanced for her.The only reason that I do not give it five stars is that the story has been altered slightly to be more palatable to today's kids.For instance, the Gods ask permission from an elephant mother before taking her son's head and putting it on Ganesh's body.This was not in the original story, and since we are talking about a religous text, this is the equivalent of telling children that Jesus drank grape juice instead of wine.Still a great book, but the story has been slightly sugar coated.

A wonderful collection of classic Indian stories
Kids ages 6-9 who are sampling multicultural folklore will relish How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head, a wonderful collection of classic Indian stories. Pieter Weltevrede's bright full-page color drawings enhances these Indian classic folk tales, which should be part of any serious picturebook multicultural collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Asian    4. Ganesa (Hindu deity)    5. Ganesha (Hindu deity)    6. Gaòneâsa (Hindu deity)    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Mythology, Hindu    10. Religion - Eastern    11. Social Science - Folklore & Mythology    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Religion / Eastern   

Reviews (5)

Ganesh
As we all know How old is our Hindu Religeon ! If you see the Lord Ganesha or children say's elephant trunk god with a big belly..Do you relaize that The science was developed at that time as well as surgery too.Lord Shiva was a Doctor ( Master of Surgon) and he cloned the elephant head witha human body ? Do you believe it..Yes you have to be !

Fun and interesting for adults too
I bought this book for my niece and nephew, but before I gave it to them I read it too. It brought back the stories of Ganesha I had been told in childhood, and made me smile at them again. It may not have the pictures of "How Ganesha got his elephant head", which I bought for another child, but the it has more stories of this altogether charming lovable god.

Delightful book
The Broken Tusk tells seventeen different stories of Ganesha in easy reader format for second grade and up. The stories also lend themselves well to the read-aloud format for younger children. Many of my old favorites are here including the ones about how Ganesha got his elephant head and about how he made a "pradakshina" around his parents, into a trip around the world. Some might find the versions of certain stories here to be different from what they know. That is understandable considering how many of these have been passed along strictly through oral tradition. There are also some rarer stories here including one borrowed from Buddhist folklore.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's All Ages - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/All Ages    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Gaòneâsa (Hindu deity)    5. Hinduism    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile Folk Tales / Mythology / Fables    8. Juvenile literature    9. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Other    10. Religion - Eastern    11. Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Confucianism    3. Encyclopedias    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Reference    6. Religion - Eastern    7. Religion - General    8. Religion - World Religions   

Reviews (3)

Combines text with beautiful paintings & superb photography
Our Most Dear Friend is an excellent picturebook introduction for young readers to the Bhagavad-gita, the world's oldest religious scripture. This "Song of God" originated about five thousands years ago and is still read and revered by 850 million Hindus around the world. Highly recommended for school and community multicultural picturebook collections. Our Most Dear Friend combines text with beautiful paintings and superb photography.

Great photography, Great message!
Vishaka's Bhagavad-gita for Children has been one of my 11-yr. old's favorite books since we first purchased it 3 years ago. Kids of almost any age can appreciate the brightly-colored, mind-capturingillustrations/photographs, and the spiritual message of the Bhagavad-gitais presented at just the right reading level for elementary-grade readersto understand. All in all, the presentation is very attractive and willappeal to any child, anywhere. This book provides a great yet subtle way tointroduce good values and principles of good character into the minds ofour children, as well as a healthy respect for the concept of a supreme,loving God.

beautiful book
This is a beautiful book for all ages. My only criticism is the children do not have on any tilak. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Religion - World Religions    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. General    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Religion - Eastern    7. Buddhism    8. Hinduism    9. Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Other   

Reviews (7)

A nice adaptation with gorgeous art work!
This is a children's rendition of the later portion of the Ramayana, pertaining specifically to Hanuman's role in freeing Sita from Ravana, her abductor. It has great moral lessons while still being an adventure. There is some violence that a very small child might find scary (we see soneone with a spear through him) and it's definitely a military motif, but given that Rama's identity is as a warrior that is appropriate. A great adventure with attractive illustrations!

Amazing
This book has an amazing story and amazing pictures. It's great~

Beautiful, exciting artwork and a bold tale
This telling of the Hanuman myth is fascinating for kids and adults alike. The tale of a monkey who battles the ultimate evil is vividly illustrated, and unlike many children's versions of myths, doesn't pull any punches. My 4-year-old son absolutely loves it, and I enjoy reading it to him. The pictures are dramatic and colorful, in kind of a Frank Frazzeta kinda way, and they fit the story perfectly. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adaptations    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Asian    5. Hanuman (Hindu deity)    6. HanumÃ¥an (Hindu deity)    7. Juvenile Folk Tales / Mythology / Fables    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Ramayana    11. Religion - Eastern    12. Social Science - Folklore & Mythology    13. Valmiki    14. Valmiki.    15. VÃ¥almÃ¥iki    16. Life Skills & Personal Awareness, General Studies   

Reviews (5)

This book is really tight!!!
This book is cool in so many ways. Around the beginning of the book, it tells about the Buddha and what he had done. The whole beginning part is the history of the Buddha. Including how he became the Buddha and who he was before that time. Then the author, around the middle of the book, tells what the Buddha taught. Including forms of meditation. I found this book real helpful in my life. I'm not Buddhist, but after reading this book, every time I get stressed out, I do somewhat of a meditation to get calm again. So if you're into this type of stuff, read this book.
I can't recommend this enough.
Out of all the "self-help" or advice books I've purchased or been given over the years, Buddha in Your Backpack is the only one I've ever been able to read without cringing, and the first with advice I've tried to apply to my life. The author presents Buddhism not just as a religion but as a set of ideas of which anyone can take advantage.
An Easy Read...Buddhism Plain and Simple
As a 40-something mother of 2 teenagers, I first picked up this book at the local library to pass time while my children researched school projects. As someone who has just spent the last 2 months with the works of Chogyam Trungpa, I was ready for a little "lite" spiritual reading. What I found was a book that, yes, was simplistic in word yet still provided ample room for contemplation. Buddha in Your Backpack may be geared towards teens, but the objects of consideration presented in this book can appeal to someone of any age who is beginning their search for insight on the Eight-Fold Path and the Four Noble Truths. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Religion    4. Religion    5. Religion - Eastern    6. Religious life    7. Teenagers   

Reviews (2)

A classic in its own right!
Beautiful illustrations compliment this eloquently told timeless tale!I bought it for myself years ago and just purchased it as a gift for a 10 year old girl who loved it so much, she's read it four times already since getting it just a few weeks ago!!!Regardless of your religious beliefs, it's a universal story of the search for "what is" and the molding of character in an individual that takes place as they sort through the varying perspectives presented to them through the ever changing seasons of life, and discovering their own balance in the equation of being.

This book was great for teaching my daughter about buddhism!
I could tell that Chi-Lou, my daughter, was very interested in this!!We had taught her many thing about Buddha, but she learn it best when it was tell to her in story like this book!Even I liked this children book. Great for kid, and great for spirituality.I highly recomend book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Buddhists    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    4. Eastern - General    5. Gautama Buddha    6. General    7. India    8. Juvenile literature    9. Religion    10. Buddhism    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Religion / Eastern    12. Religion / Eastern   

Reviews (1)

Grow!Learn! Read!
We were very interested in how this complicated and ancient religion would be portrayed from a Western, visiting eye.We were pleased at DK's clear delineation between the major sects were given as much devotion to detail as the sects in DK's Christian book (as well as fair portrayal in the DK Religions book!).The differences included practices by the people versus the monks, by evolution through countries, and recent adaptation to America.I don't know that the Editorial Reviewer got it right when they said the belief in afterlife was obscured.It's a Western measurement that negates what the DK Religions book and Buddhism book gives a vantage to.Very interesting stuff for those ready to move past the 9/11 God-centered/Christian-Islamic dialogue toward a more inclusive world view!Read on about Eastern religions that preceded these dialogues by a few hundred years!Very insightful! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile General And Reference Works    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile Religion    7. Religion - Eastern    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Religion / Eastern    9. Children's   

Editorial Review

A collection of Buddhist moral tales from India, Burma, Tibet, China, and Japan, Read more

Reviews (3)

Not for 4 year olds
I got this for my 4 year old daughter.I would suggest waiting a year or two longer.Some of the stories are long and overly complex and minimally illustrated.The short ones are often hard to interpret to a young child (the story of the two monks carrying the young woman across the water for example, my child is a little young to get much out of a story who's moral is something along the lines of 'obey the spirit of the rule, not the rule').

Buy this book!
This is a great book for children and adults!The stories are well written and well illustrated - I bought it for a child but kept it for myself!Buy it - the stories are very meaningful .......

Diverse stories of Zen parables with varying lengths.
The book includes 13 Zen parables and folktales from Japan, India, China, Tibet and Burma.It is interesting but the length and complexity vary a lot from story to story.Smaller children (4-6 years old) may be ready forthe shorter ones while this book needs more illustration to attract theirattention.A good book overall. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhist stories    3. Buddhist stories, English    4. Children's 4-8 = Religion - World Religions    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    6. Children: Grades 2-3    7. Folklore    8. Jataka stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Legends, Myths, & Fables - General    11. Religion - Eastern    12. Social Science - Folklore & Mythology    13. Social Studies - Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (1)

Written in a highly accessible and skimmable style
There Is Nothing Wrong With You: For Teens is a spiritual, self-help book written to help not just young people from emotionally abusive backgrounds, but all people who have learned to unfairly and over-harshly criticize themselves. There Is Nothing Wrong With You: For Teens is a positive affirmation of the good people have inside, even if they have grave difficulty in seeing it themselves. The atypical typeface resembles hand-printed lettering, conveying emotion but remaining eminently readable. Enthusiastically recommended and a welcome addition to the growing library self-help literature, There Is Nothing Wrong With You: For Teens is written in a highly accessible and skimmable style, for readers of all attention spans. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent psychology    2. Buddhism - Zen    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Social Situations    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Religion - Eastern    9. Self-acceptance    10. Self-esteem in adolescence    11. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    12. Life Skills & Personal Awareness, General Studies    13. Self-Help / Spiritual   

Editorial Review

Celebrated children's-book illustrator Demi puts the Buddha's life story into words any child can enjoy. Even more, children will love the lush, meticulously painted scenes, rendered in traditional Asian fashion yet as light and whimsical asCalvin and Hobbes. (Ages 9 to 12.) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A profound story beautifully and simply told
How do you write a children's book about a subject that is simple and profound at the same time?
Beautiful
Demi's books are wonderfully illustrated with vibrant colors and gold ink. I was very pleased and would recommend this and Buddha Stories highly. (great gift)

A Moving, Great Book!
This book tells the story of Buddha so clearly and precisely that it taught me a lot that I previously didn't know or understand.I am hoping to share this book with my students during the Buddhist New Year in April. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Religious    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Buddhism    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    6. Gautama Buddha    7. Juvenile literature    8. Religion - Eastern    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Religion / Eastern   

Reviews (3)

A great informative book about Hindu traditions
It is not very often that one comes across a book about Hindu religion written by practicing Hindus, who have a complete understanding of Hindu philosophy and traditions. "What You Will See Inside a Hindu Temple" is like a breath of fresh air. Written in a simple and straightforward manner, the book demystifies, what may at times appear as complex, Hindu tradition and thought. It also sets right many, widely held stereotypical beliefs and gross misrepresentations about Hindu religion. Well researched and wholesome, this book is an excellent introduction to the world's oldest religion.
great book!
What you Will See Inside a Hindu Temple, is a great book accurately relaying the workings of a Hindu temple.Although labeled a children's book, I think this is an excellent book for all ages bringing to light many fundamental concepts of Hinduism.Its great for parents who want to teach their growing children the practices of Hinduism, as well as those of us that want to know the reasoning behind the many practices of a Hindu temple.Its strength lies in its simple and concise language along with beautiful pictures.I highly recommend this book to all those who want to learn about Hinduism, as well as those who want to learn more and reaffirm their beliefs!

Excellent Informative book
The book by Dr. Mahendra Jani depicts accurately what a person sees inside a Hindu Temple. The book has been well researched and lucid in details.The pictures by Neirah Bhargava and Vijay Dave are eye pleasing.To any one who would like to know what one sees inside a Hindu Temple this book is an accurate and very informative source.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile Religion    6. Juvenile literature    7. Pictorial works    8. Religion - Eastern    9. Temples, Hindu    10. Hinduism   

Subjects:  1. 1935-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - General    4. Biography & Autobiography - Religious    5. Bstan-dzin-rgya-mtsho,    6. Buddhism    7. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    8. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    9. China    10. Dalai Lama XIV,    11. Dalai lamas    12. Juvenile Nonfiction    13. Juvenile literature    14. Religion - Eastern    15. Tibet    16. Historical figures   

Reviews (1)

A descriptive survey of spiritual and philosophical figures from the dawn of history
Eastern Philosophy: The Greatest Thinkers And Sages From Ancient To Modern Times by Kevin Burns offers a descriptive survey of spiritual and philosophical figures from the dawn of history. Presenting more then fifty major figures, Eastern Philosophy offers readers a succinct understanding of the lives and messages of such influential sages as Mohandas Gandhi, Laozi, Al-Hallaj, Confucius, Al-Kindi, Zoroaster and the histories of such philosophies as Indian and Hindi, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Islamic, and Zoroastrianism. Eastern Philosophy is accessible and very highly recommended reading, especially for students of the great world religions and philosophies.
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Subjects:  1. Asia    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Eastern - General    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Philosophy    6. Philosophy, Asian    7. Religion    8. Religion - Eastern    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Religion / Eastern   

Reviews (2)

A great non-fiction introduction for preschoolers
This is a nonfiction book aimed at the preK-K level, and it contains just the right amount of information for kids aged 3-5.The illustrations are lovely and there is simple text on each page.I paired this book along with Dragon Dance (author: Holub) and D is for Dragon Dance (author: Compestine), which have more lyrical text, for a preschoolers' storytime about Chinese New Year.

Simple, Pleasant Introduction to Chinese New Year!
I really like this series.Students can read these books on their own and get a lot out of them.They can also be easily read for a read aloud.They are fun and interesting! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Chinese New Year    4. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Nonreligious    5. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Religious    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Religion - Eastern    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Religion / Eastern   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Customs and practices    4. Divali    5. Fasts and feasts    6. General    7. Hinduism    8. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Religious    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Religion - Eastern