Publisher Description

Summer has arrived-and so has Koo, Stillwater's haiku-speaking young nephew. And when Stillwater encourages Koo and his friends Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy old neighbour in need, their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways. Zen Ties is a disarming story of compassion and friendship that reaffirms the importance of our ties to one another.

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Summer fading new friends' faces lighten the way home. SUMMER has arrived --- and so has Koo, Stillwater the Panda's haiku-speaking young nephew. When Stillwater encourages Koo and their friends Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy neigh

Author Biography

Jon J. Muth is the author and artist of the New York Times best seller and Caldecott Honor Book Zen Shorts. He has illustrated many award-winning books, including another New York Times best seller, A Family of Poems, by Caroline Kennedy. He is also the writer and illustrator of The Three Questions, which the New York Times called "quietly life changing."

Review

* "Muth's brush is as sure as ever; Stillwater's big, blunt paws and hunched-over listening posture are irresistible, and Miss Whitaker's delicate face and snow-white hair beautifully counterpoint the vignettes of youthful play." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"The pleasure, as always, is with Muth's irresistible storytelling, both visual and textual...The story's theme of intergenerational kindness is tender, and the text is infused with bits of haiku, wordplay and small lessons that charmingly avoid didacticism. A welcome return." -- Kirkus Reviews
"A rich and wonderful offering." -- School Library Journal

Kirkus US Review

In this companion to Muth's Caldecott Honor - winning Zen Shorts (2006), the wise and gentle Giant Panda Stillwater and his young friends are joined by Stillwater's young nephew Koo. This time, the friends tackle two problems: Michael's nervousness over an impending spelling bee and an irascible elderly neighbor, Miss Whitaker. The plot is predictable: With some friendly attention from Stillwater and the children, Miss Whitaker will turn out to be more vulnerable than nasty and, as a former English teacher, will help Michael overcome his spelling anxiety. The pleasure, as always, is with Muth's irresistible storytelling, both visual and textual. In most of the delicate, finely detailed watercolor paintings the towering figure of Stillwater dominates. In others, the frail figure of Miss Whitaker dressed in red and purple with a magnificent fluff of white hair carries the most visual weight. The story's theme of intergenerational kindness is tender, and the text is infused with bits of haiku, wordplay and small lessons that charmingly avoid didacticism. A welcome return. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8) (Kirkus Reviews)

Prizes

Winner of New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Award (Picture Book) 2008
Short-listed for Colorado Children's Book Award (Picture Book) 2010

Review Quote

* "Muth's brush is as sure as ever; Stillwater's big, blunt paws and hunched-over listening posture are irresistible, and Miss Whitaker's delicate face and snow-white hair beautifully counterpoint the vignettes of youthful play." -- Publisher's Weekly , starred review"The pleasure, as always, is with Muth's irresistible storytelling, both visual and textual...The story's theme of intergenerational kindness is tender, and the text is infused with bits of haiku, wordplay and small lessons that charmingly avoid didacticism. A welcome return." -- Kirkus Reviews "A rich and wonderful offering." -- School Library Journal

Details