Celebrated children's-book illustrator Demi puts the Buddha's life story into words any child can enjoy. Even more, children will love the lush, meticulously painted scenes, rendered in traditional Asian fashion yet as light and whimsical as Calvin and Hobbes. (Ages 9 to 12.)
From School Library Journal
Grade 4 Up?A graceful account of Buddha's life, from the prophecies preceding his birth to his death at age 80. Demi is attentive to historical information, legends, and the long and dearly held beliefs about Buddha. She describes his protected royal youth, his search for a way to end suffering, his enlightenment, and his compassionate teaching of the basic tenets of Buddhist faith, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The book also includes several parables, such as the well-known "The Blind Men and the Elephant." In characteristic vibrant colors and shimmering gold, Demi has painted visually engaging illustrations rich in Buddhist symbolism and artistic conventions. The pictures often overflow their gold borders or are set entirely outside their frames, as if floating beyond the confines of this life. The blended, gentle-hued watercolor backgrounds contrast with both the stark white of the pages and with the precise, detailed figures and scenes. The lovely, simple, descriptive language, together with the design and illustrations, combine dynamically so that the whole book is much more than the sum of its parts. Some readers will treasure this title, some will ponder on it, and all will learn from it.?Susan Middleton, LaJolla Country Day School, CACopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 4^-6, younger for reading aloud. Demi, a Buddhist herself, brings an obvious affection to her subject in this picture book for older readers. In simple, yet never condescending language, she tells the story of Siddhartha's birth and the prophecies surrounding it, touches upon his childhood, and then follows his path to enlightenment. One element not always seen in other books, and which adds child appeal, is the presence of a cousin and rival, who competed with Siddhartha as a child and as an adult tried to kill him. Although there is no author's note, the flap copy tells readers that Demi has an extensive library of books about Buddhism, which she used as research material. Demi's signature-style art leans heavily on symbolism, more so than in most of her other books. The delicate pictures seared with gold are reminiscent of Indian miniatures and require several looks to appreciate all that is going on within them. Roth's picture book Buddha (1994) for a younger audience is probably more visually accessible, but this has an undeniable beauty and strength. Ilene Cooper
Review
"A graceful account of Buddha's life, from the prophecies preceding his birth to his death at age 80....All will learn from it."--School Library Journal
Review
"A graceful account of Buddha's life, from the prophecies preceding his birth to his death at age 80....All will learn from it."--School Library Journal
Book Description
Many centuries ago, in a kingdom in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, a miraculous child was born to the king and queen. The young prince, Siddhartha, was raised in the greatest luxury, sheltered from all pain and ugliness. But one day Siddhartha left the palace and saw, for the first time, human suffering and death. He knew then that he must relinquish everything-- his family, his wealth, his position-- to discover the Truth of life and death. With only a few humble possessions, he began a remarkable spiritual journey that ended many years later under a bodhi tree. There he finally discovered the Truth and became an Enlightened One, a Buddha. The Buddha taught the Truth and the path to inner peace for forty-five years, attracting thousands of disciples. Today millions of people around the world live by his teachings.
Demi's exquisite illustrations, inspired by the paintings and sculptures of several Asian cultures, are layered with meaning; each brush stroke has a special significance. Demi, herself a Buddhist, brings her devotion to the teachings of the Buddha and her vast knowledge of his life to this comprehensive picture-book biography of an extraordinary spiritual leader.
About the Author
Demi became fascinated with Buddhism at the age of three, when she chose a small golden statue of the Buddha at a five-and-dime store. At age twenty-one she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study art in India, where she walked in the footsteps of the Buddha. She has practiced Buddhism for twenty years, along with her husband, Tze-si Huang. In researching the art for Buddha, she drew from Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Burmese, and Indonesian paintings, sculptures, and sutra illustrations, particularly Pahari and Chamba Indian miniature paintings. For the story of the Buddha's life, Demi relied on her library of more than 82,000 books, most of which relate to Buddhism.
Demi is the author and illustrator of many books, including The Empty Pot, The Magic Tapestry, The Firebird, and The Magic Gold Fish. She lives in Carnation, Washington.
Buddha FROM THE PUBLISHER
Many centuries ago, a child was born to a king and queen in the land that is now India. The young prince, Siddhartha, was raised in the greatest luxury, sheltered from all pain and ugliness. But one day, Siddhartha left the palace and saw, for the first time, human suffering and death. He knew then that he must relinquish everything to discover the Truth of life. Demi's exquisite illustrations add a mystical dimension to this biography of an extraordinary spiritual leader. Full color.
FROM THE CRITICS
School Library Journal
Gr 4 UpA graceful account of Buddha's life, from the prophecies preceding his birth to his death at age 80. Demi is attentive to historical information, legends, and the long and dearly held beliefs about Buddha. She describes his protected royal youth, his search for a way to end suffering, his enlightenment, and his compassionate teaching of the basic tenets of Buddhist faith, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The book also includes several parables, such as the well-known "The Blind Men and the Elephant." In characteristic vibrant colors and shimmering gold, Demi has painted visually engaging illustrations rich in Buddhist symbolism and artistic conventions. The pictures often overflow their gold borders or are set entirely outside their frames, as if floating beyond the confines of this life. The blended, gentle-hued watercolor backgrounds contrast with both the stark white of the pages and with the precise, detailed figures and scenes. The lovely, simple, descriptive language, together with the design and illustrations, combine dynamically so that the whole book is much more than the sum of its parts. Some readers will treasure this title, some will ponder on it, and all will learn from it.Susan Middleton, LaJolla Country Day School, CA
BookList - Ilene Cooper
nger for reading aloud. Demi, a Buddhist herself, brings an obvious affection to her subject in this picture book for older readers. In simple, yet never condescending language, she tells the story of Siddhartha's birth and the prophecies surrounding it, touches upon his childhood, and then follows his path to enlightenment. One element not always seen in other books, and which adds child appeal, is the presence of a cousin and rival, who competed with Siddhartha as a child and as an adult tried to kill him. Although there is no author's note, the flap copy tells readers that Demi has an extensive library of books about Buddhism, which she used as research material. Demi's signature-style art leans heavily on symbolism, more so than in most of her other books. The delicate pictures seared with gold are reminiscent of Indian miniatures and require several looks to appreciate all that is going on within them. Roth's picture book "Buddha" (1994) for a younger audience is probably more visually accessible, but this has an undeniable beauty and strength.
Art & Photography
Book Info
