Becoming Buddha: The Story of Siddhartha

This is an introduction to the main themes of Buddhism through a telling of the Buddha's life story. One of the few Buddhist offerings geared for children this young (3-8 years old), the interesting artwork and fascinating story held my four-year old daughter's interest. Look for the paperback version used, since the hardcover import is currently out of print and very expensive.

This is a very well done children's book on an important world religion. It uses the narrative story of the Buddha's life to demonstrate the fundamental principles of Buddhism i.e. material life is characterized by suffering, the middle way between two extremes is best and there is a release from the cycle of suffering. Where children are concerned, it is a good story that captivates attention and sparks the imagination. This re-telling of the Buddha's life fits the bill and introduces many sound principles that apply to any religion e.g. ultimate satisfaction is not to be found in the material world, the way to deeper meaning is inward, suffering is largely caused by selfish desire, etc. In a diverse world, books like this can help to bridge important gaps. This one has a good story, principles, illustrations, etc. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 9) by Reader Views (5/07) Siddharta has had a rough life. His mother dies just 7 days after his birth and his aunt becomes like a mother to him. The boy's father, King Shuddhodana, is told that his son can become a holy man when he is older but for now he will be a great ruler. As he grows up, he feels that life is full of suffering. He is encouraged to look for some enlightenment. He learns the benefits of meditation. He becomes a leader in his own way. The road to becoming a leader takes many twists and turns along the way. He also meets some people who encourage him. "Becoming Buddha" provides an interesting insight into Buddhism. It gives non-Buddhists a chance to see a little of what Buddhism is about. It is not my religion, but gives me a look at another religion. The pictures in this book are very colorful and look like they are painted. It is very artistic. "Becoming Buddha" has in its foreword written by the 14th Dalai Lama, that the author doesn't believe in Buddhism but hopes that she can contribute to global peace. Note from Brianne's mother: On the book jacket, this book says that it is best suited for children over the age of 12. She is younger than the target audience so we read this book together. She had a lot of questions about Buddhism since it is much different than our faith.