Just So Stories

New South Books

Tuttle Publishing

9784805318980

September 2025

AUD$29.99

As you might expect, this one very much speaks to my Buddhist soul. It is gentle and soothing, a tranquil taste of what it means to be both mindful and meditative in our daily lives. Over the years I’ve had several books that were focused on Buddhist philosophy for children and this one is a valuable addition to those.

The Zen approach is a blend of Mahayana Buddhism, which is my practice, and Taoism, and combines meditation, intuition and direct experience. Many of you will be familiar with the word in its popular culture context.

Essentially, for children, it’s about giving them some cornerstones of easily grasped philosophy to help them deal with daily bumps. The book’s narrative moves through the seasons and the various happenings of a young brother and older sister, and how the Zen approach from their parents empowers them to cope with change or upset and these consist of relating an episode with an accompanying Zen note (from a parent) left for them to discover and consider.

For example, cross because she has to tidy her room, the girl trips and breaks a clay bird gift from her grandmother. She feels like blaming her brother but knows that’s unfair. She remembers her dad saying he washes the dishes as if each one was the baby Buddha (very mindful practice this) so goes about tidying in the same way. Her brother sees the broken bird and knows she is sad so gives her a hug, then they find a note beside the broken bird which says:

Be kind whenever possible.

It is always possible.

The Dalai Lama.

Each note is a short Buddhist epithet from a known philosopher or practioner. Whether it’s being thankful, compassionate or accepting, whether it’s about appreciating nature or taking time to notice the peace both inner and external or whether it’s about our connection with others and the world around us, this is a delight from start to finish. The watercolour illustrations are a fitting match for the philosophy expressed and I could not love it more.

It is just as appropriate in any faith school as any state school, as we provide the direct teaching that gives our Smalls strategies that will serve them well all their lives.

I give it a 5 🧘ॐ🪷📿☸️rating for children from around 5 to 9 or 10 years.