Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children and Parents

First I used this book with my children as we learned about different religions and spiritual views. As they got older we visited it again because these Buddhist stories are applicable to so many situations in life regardless of your views on God, theist, or atheist. Now as a religious education teacher of younger people at the Unitarian Universalist fellowship I use this book extensively when teaching about buddhism, kindness, compassion and many other concepts. Well written and engaging for all ages, but best for elementary school age children. My middle schoolers still love the stories.

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.

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").If you have Paul Reps' famous "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones," you will recognize many of the stories in "Kindess" from there, but in a lushly expanded form. I am impressed by how Sarah Conover is able to expand a simple Buddhist tale without diluting it, and add detail without dragging it out. Everything seems necessary, even though I'm used to shorter versions of the same tales. This is the sign of good writing to me. Not all of the tales are long, though, so you can use it as a bedtime read regardless of the length of time you have available; there are stories you can read in 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes--whatever your time frame. What's nice, too, about the book is that it grows with the child. A year ago, my son's favorite tales were the simpler ones (though all are complex in the Buddhist way) such as "Great Joy the Ox" about kindness and "The Dung Beetle" which warns of the dangers of hubris. Now his favorite is a more conceptual story, "The Monk's Heavy Load," which treats the idea of being weighed down by resentments and memories. Besides being delightful to read, the book is gorgeous to look at and hold. Only the cover illustration is multi-colored; those inside are sepia-toned, but this matters not a whit. Valerie Wahl's illustrations are carefully drawn to capture, (at most, one per story) precisely the key moment of each tale. An aphorism precedes each story also reflecting the theme of each tale. The pages are slick, heavy and a Zen pleasure to handle and turn, as long as the book lies flat on a table. The only negative point about the book's design is that its odd shape (a horizontal rather than vertical rectangle) and weight make it awkward for reading in bed. Hardcover children's picture books in this shape are easy to read, but this is a glossy paged book of 160+ pages which makes it both heavy and floppy (at least in the paperback edition I have). We've worked hard to keep ours in good shape, and we've succeeded, but it might be harder for families with lots of children (or less book obsessed parents). I can't really imagine a person not liking this book, and if I could, I wouldn't want to meet him anyway. These tales drop lessons softly, the way fragrant blossoms fall from trees. They introduce children to Buddhism, which can't be a bad thing at any time, and can only help things these days. If you have no one for whom to buy this book, then do what I did

If you're like me and are sick of hearing about Harry Potter from some forty year old guy in a coffee shop than don't go to a coffee shop, stay home, and read this book. Sure its probably aimed for the young kids but c'mon, what's the last thing you did out of kindness? Giving your loose change to the bum outside your office doesn't count. This book shows off some amazing stories that one shouldn't discount. Written by the intelligent and very beautiful Sarah Conover, this book is sure to leave you with a smile on your face so wide that it makes the old woman sitting next to you on the T nervous. Sure get it for your kids, get two or three copies, but get one to fit in your briefcase too. One could learn a thing or two, especially you.

I have been reading (and rereading) these beautiful Buddhist stories to my children, ages 6 and 8, every night. Rewritten from the traditional, this version is child-centric, sensitively written, thought (and conversation) provoking and actually relate to everyday life. My intention was to read one per night but my children beg me to read "Just one more. Just one more". In spite of the fact that I am no Buddhist, it is hard to imagine a child, parent, teacher or educator who wouldn't benefit from reading this delightful, well written book.