This is another book that can be used to introduce Zen philosophy to kids. I have read this author/illustrator’s books Zen Shorts and Zen Ties. The more people who read it together, the better, because the different viewpoints presented by the animals can be best illustrated by how different parents/adults think about the world. It is a great book to read together with both parents and the child/children. This book requires a bit of guidance from the adult when read by a child. The right thing to do is to help others as you help yourself. The right person is the one right by you. Perhaps the boy is insecure with where he is in the world? But the turtle and the panda together show different ways of reasoning and feeling the world - by looking at why it is the boy asks these questions. The main emotive line is questioning brought by fear - what if I miss the right time, what if I miss the right person, what if I'm doing the wrong things?Įach progressive wave of answers bring new viewpoints and they are all quite valid and easily understandable and visible in the world of a young child. The illustrations are expansive and uses weather as a main indicator of light and dark. Cute animals talk to each other, but there is a streak of selfishness, strife, conflict, and fear running through the pages. It strikes me as a very thoughtful book with a constant interplay between light and dark. I bought this book at Callan Books in Stratford Ontario.
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