Zen for Kids

Eleven engaging Zen-inspired stories and fifty activities to help kids (ages 4–8) learn about patience, kindness, honesty, sharing and forgiveness.

Dive into 11 engaging stories drawn from different cultures, each concluding with short reflections, questions, and fun, thought-provoking activities that teach children how to integrate the theme of the story into their lives. There are 53 activities, including:

• Writing haiku
• Sitting zazen
• Observing, making, and appreciating food
• Growing plants
• Spreading kindness and performing secret good deeds
• Learning and writing about family history
• and more!

“Zen for Kids is comprised of 11 engaging Zen-inspired stories and 50 activities to help kids learn about patience, kindness, honesty, sharing and forgiveness. These stories are drawn from different cultures, each concluding with short reflections, questions, and fun, thought-provoking activities that teach children how to integrate the theme of the story into their lives. Thoroughly ‘kid friendly’ in organization and presentations, Zen for Kids will prove a welcome and prized addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Buddhism, Zen Philosophy, and Inspirational collections.”—Midwest Book Review
 
“Featuring an assortment of uplifting activities and entertaining stories, Zen for Kids is a heartfelt Buddhist self-help guide.”—Foreword Reviews

“This is a book of zen-inspired activities and stories to help kids learn about patience, kindness, honesty, sharing and forgiveness. Each chapter has a new story to explore, with themed discussion questions, meditations, journal prompts, and hands-on projects.”—International Examiner
LAURA BURGES (Ryuko Eitai) is a lay entrusted Buddhist teacher in the Soto Zen tradition. She lectures, offers classes, and leads retreats at the San Francisco Zen Center and at other practice places in Northern California. She is the abiding teacher at Lenox House Meditation Group in Oakland. Laura taught children for 35 years and now mentors other teachers.
 

MELISSA IWAI has illustrated over 30 books. From the time she was a little kid, she wanted to write and illustrate children’s books. She used to staple paper together and make tiny books for her dolls. She lives with her husband and teenage son in a teeny, tiny apartment in Brooklyn, NY.