Zen Shorts # 32

1.      Author: Jon J. Muth
2.      Title: Zen Shorts
3.      Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
4.      Genre: Picture Book
5.      Subgenre: Fiction
6.      Theme: Bears, Brothers and Sisters, and Storytelling
7.      Primary and secondary Characters: Stillwater with Addy, Michael, and Karl
8.      Awards: Caldecott Honor Book
9.      Date of Publication: 2005
10.  Publication Company: Scholastic Press
11.  A summary about the book and how you will use it in your classroom.

Addy, Michael, and Karl were introduced to the giant panda bear named Stillwater when they found him in their back yard.  He was a very friendly panda bear full of knowledge.  Each of the siblings visited Stillwater separately.  Stillwater told each child a story that helped them deals with a problem they where dealing with, he helped them to find a peaceful or “zen” place.  I would read this book to first through sixth grade students.  I could use this book in two different ways.  One of the ways I would use this book would be to help teach students through the stories Still water tells, these stories would help students deal with anger, luck, and selfishness.  The second way I would use this book would be to introduce Asian culture to sixth grade students when learning about the history.  The book would help the students understand their thoughts.