Zen Ghosts by Jon J. Muth. 2010.

The Philosophy of Zen

Inspiration Book:

Zen ghosts by Muth, Jon J  — Scholastic Press, 2010-E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. On Halloween night, Stillwater the giant panda tells Karl, Addy, and Michael a spooky and unusual story. Based on a Zen koan. 

Rationale: Although the Inspiration Book’s readability places it as suitable for primary grades, this book is much more than an easy read or about favorite topics of pandas and Halloween. It is a philosophy book, a philosophy book about Zen Buddhism which for most of our kids is an “alien” philosophy. All of Muth’s Stillwater books fit that category. 

Thus, Muth’s books become Wisdom Books suitable for using with students in Grades 5-8. Yes, sometimes I use a book as a Wisdom Book because it is well done, so insightful, or so unusual but doesn’t fit within the curriculum. For many schools that could be the reason to use the Muth books. They could also be included as a Wisdom Book or even a general presentation if the curriculum includes any discussion of religion when studying the culture of a world’s region or a country. Some private schools may actually have a comparative religions unit, and the Muth books would fit there as well.

An Aside: Conservatives and liberals alike have often taken an anti-religion or politically correct stance regarding instruction of religion in the schools. IF religion as part of a culture or religion from an historical perspective are part of your curriculum, you need to provide a balanced collection of resources to support that curriculum. IF the staff does not emphasize that part of the curriculum you may want to spend a minimal amount of your funds to support that part of the curriculum. BUT whether taught or not-taught, your collection needs to be balanced, especially in the public school. The public library has the responsibility to provide a varied and balanced collection whether part of a community’s curriculum or not.

A general approach to Wisdom Books is shared under All the World where ideas for including the topics of Hope, Love, Peace and Trust, among others are presented. Please read that entry’s suggestions for Grades 5-8 to get a clear understanding of the idea of Wisdom Books. I developed the idea from one a supportive reading teacher used. It was her way to work with all students, not just the struggling readers. The kids loved it, the reading teacher loved it, and obviously, so did I. After all, the biggest compliment is using or adapting an idea.

Jon Muth Stillwater books:

Zen ghosts by Muth, Jon J  — Scholastic Press, 2010-E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8

On Halloween night, Stillwater the giant panda tells Karl, Addy, and Michael a spooky and unusual story. Based on a Zen koan. 

NPR Author Interview https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130412091

Audio excerpt narrated by David Pittu https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=11497

Horn book Interview https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=jon-j-muth-talks-roger

AND

Zen happiness by Muth, Jon J — Scholastic Press, 2019 294.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.8. Presents twelve inspiring and affirmational sayings along with color illustrations, many of which feature the panda bear named Stillwater

AND

Zen ties by Muth, Jon J — Scholastic Press, 2008--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.9 When Stillwater the panda encourages Koo, Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy neighbor, their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways. 

AND

Zen socks by Muth, Jon J  — Scholastic Press, 2015 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2. Stillwater the giant panda and his friends Leo and Molly teach each other about patience, sharing, and compassion. Titlewave, Freeman

Trailer https://www.teachingbooks.net/booktrailer.cgi?id=5681

AND

Hi, Koo! : a year of seasons by Muth, Jon J  — Scholastic Press, 2014 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Contains twenty-six illustrated haikus about the four seasons. Titlewave, Freeman, CBShelf,

Event Kit https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/parents/migrated-assets/printables/pdfs/Scholastic-Hi-Koo-Event-Kit.pdf

Lesson Plan at http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2014/04/firefly-july-and-hi-koo-poems-about-seasons/

Teacher Guide  from Indiana Library Federation https://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/YHBA/HiKoo.pdf

AND

The three questions by Muth, Jon J — Scholastic Press, 2002--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6 Nikolai asks his animal friends to help him answer three important questions: "When is the best time to do things?" "Who is the most important?" and "What is the right thing to do?"

Lesson Plans from Spoken Arts http://www.spokenartsmedia.com/StudyGuides/The%20Three%20Questions.pdf

Lesson Plan from Learning to Give https://www.learningtogive.org/units/caring-about-community/kids-can-make-difference

Lesson Plan from Center for Philosophy for Children https://www.philosophyforchildren.org/questionslibrary/three-questions/

AND

Zen shorts by Muth, Jon J — Scholastic Press, 2005--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.7 When Stillwater the bear moves into the neighborhood, the stories he tells to three siblings teach them to look at the world in new ways. 

Lesson Plan from Scholastic https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/lesson-plans/migrated-featured-files/zen-shorts-storia-tg.pdf

Teaching Ideas from Merry Bee R & R http://www.merrybee.info/ba/zen.html

Teaching Ideas from Library Lessons https://librarylessonswithbooks.com/zen-shorts-by-jon-j-muth/

Grades 5-8--Jon Muth’s “Wisdom”

Background: Sometimes I include an author/illustrator for a slightly longer Wisdom Book study. Jon Muth’s Stillwater books fit that type of study.

Preparation: Choose the Muth title you wish to feature.  Picture books are chosen for literary quality, illustrations, message, and uniqueness. Students are also reminded that picture books are for every age.

Explore the philosophy of Zen to give you background by studying the ideas at the following websites:

Teaching Children Philosophy (Zen Shorts) http://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/wiki/Zen_Shorts

Video Interview about Stillwater http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/muth/

Then, explore the ideas for sharing one or more of Muth’s books and preparing for your introduction of them to the students in the links listed under each title.

And then, it’s time to start reading to the class. After reading, talk about the kernels of wisdom found in the picture book. The students write their personal thoughts plus the bibliographic information for the book in a Steno journal we keep for multiple purposes.

Begin the whole Wisdom Book experience by reading and discussing and modeling the project using the Inspiration Book All the World and the introductory approach found for All the World OR just jump in with the “wisdom” of Jon Muth’s books.

Useful Additional Books 

Steps and stones : an Anh's anger story by Silver, Gail — Plum Blossom Books, 2011--E-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 1.6 Angry at his friends for chosing kickball over digging, Anh is revisited by Anger who demonstrates how mindful breathing can soothe and transform strong emotions. Based on teachings about mindfulness and Buddhism by Thich Nhat Hanh. 

All the world by Scanlon, Elizabeth Garton - Beach Lane Books, p2009, c2009--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.8 Follows a group of family members and friends through the course of a day as they learn the importance of all things great and small. Twenty eight pages of lyrical, poetic language, tapping cultural universals of family, food, leisure, love, and peace. Richly illustrated with black Prismacolor pencil and watercolors. Caldecott Honor 2010

Anh's anger by Silver, Gail — Plum Blossom Books, 2009--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2 When Anh becomes angry and says hurtful things, his grandfather tells him to go to his room and sit with his anger, which allows Anh to feel better. Based on teachings about mindfulness and Buddhism by Thich Nhat Hanh. 

Little panda by Liwska, Renata  — Houghton Mifflin, 2008--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.4 A grandfather tells his grandson an unlikely story about a panda and how it escapes from the tiger that wants to eat it. 

One world, many religions : the ways we worship by Osborne, Mary Pope — Knopf, 1996--200; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.5 An illustrated introduction to comparative religion, discussing Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. 

Buddhism in Thailand by Hawker, Frances — Tulip Books, 2014--294.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.6 Baan and his family -- Helping the monks -- Buying offerings -- Lotus leaves -- Becoming a monk -- Walking to the village -- Lessons -- Life as a monk -- Returning home - - Notes for parents and teachers. A grandfather tells about his family in Thailand, focusing on his eight-year-old grandson Baan and the boy's experiences living and learning for a few months as a Buddhist monk. 

I see the sun in Myanmar (Burma) by King, Dedie — Satya House Publications, 2013--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.7 King, Dedie, 1944- I see the sun in Myanmar (Burma) ; Contains: King, Dedie, 1944- I see the sun in Myanmar (Burma). Burmese.

Fly free! by Thong, Roseanne — Boyds Mills Press, 2010--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9 When Mai feeds the caged birds at a Buddhist temple in Vietnam, her simple act of kindness starts a chain of thoughtful acts that ultimately comes back to her. Includes author's note explaining the Buddhist concepts of karma and samsara, or the wheel of life. 

I belong to the Buddhist faith by Dicker, Katie  — PowerKids Press, 2010--294.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4 Going to the vihara -- Who was the Buddha? -- The Buddha's teachings -- Learning about the Buddha -- Behaving like the Buddha -- Living a happy life -- Dana -- Food -- Buddhist festivals. A Buddhist girl introduces her faith, describing a vihara, Buddha and his teachings, Dana, food, and festivals. 

The Buddha's diamonds by Marsden, Carolyn  — Candlewick Press, c2008 p2010--Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.0 As a storm sweeps in, Tinh's father tells him to tie up their fishing boat but the storm scares him and he runs away, but when the damage to the boat is discovered, Tinh realizes what he must do. 

What do you believe? — DK Publishing, 2011--200; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.6 An introduction to religion and philosophy, examining global religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism, along with other more obscure faiths, and discussing the ideas of philosophers such as Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato, as well as more modern thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Kant. 

Facts about Buddhism by Cooper, Alison — Rosen Central, 2011--294.3; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.1 Who are the Buddhists? -- Timeline -- How did Buddhism begin? -- What did the Buddha teach? -- What else do Buddhists believe? -- Does Buddhism have any gods? -- Are there different groups of Buddhists? -- How do Buddhists live? -- Where do Buddhists worship? -- How do Buddhists worship? -- Who are the Buddhist holy men and women? -- What is life like in a Buddhist monastery? -- Which are the Buddhist sacred texts? -- Which are the Buddhists' sacred places? -- What are the main Buddhist festivals? -- What are the most important times in a Buddhist's life? -- What is Buddhist art like? -- Do Buddhists like stories? An introduction to Buddhism that discusses its origins, teachings, beliefs, sacred texts, art, rituals, and other related topics.