The Angry Monk and the Fly: A Tale of Mindfulness for Children

by Tina Schneider

Overview

This accessible picture book teaches the value of mindfulness.

Even monks get angry sometimes. That's when it's time to pause and reflect.

The monk is almost never angry, but when a pesky Buddha Fly comes buzzing happily by, zipping around his head, landing on his nose day after day, the monk becomes very angry indeed. This makes him confused and sad. Until one day, he stops to look at this irritating, joyful fly. And then he sees something wonderful.

The Angry Monk and the Fly is a tale of pausing, teaching us the importance of taking the time to see life differently and of truly seeing all things, even when they annoy us or make us angry. Children (and adults) will enjoy this brightly illustrated book, and will be left feeling calm and more ready to accept everyday trials.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804853750
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	10/11/2022
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	10.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

About the Author

Tina Schneider received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts and an MFA from Bard College before starting her career as a studio artist. She has taught at Vassar College and her work has been exhibited in the Drawing Center, Wave Hill, and the Bronx Museum. She is the author of Ninja Boy's Secret and Architecture of the Heart.

Editorial Reviews

2022-08-31
Even a disciplined monk can lose his cool.

A light-skinned, bald monk in orange robes sits for meditation each day in a field of morning glories. He sits so still that wild animals feel safe around him. “They knew this monk like nature, like weather and earth know each other.” He sits night and day, and all the animals are at peace with him except one: a fly. The fly buzzes around the monk’s head, angering him. His outbursts frighten the other animals away. Each day he vows to ignore the fly, but each day his anger gets the better of him. The monk uses breathing meditation to calm himself, but the annoying fly still gets to him. One day, the fly lands on the monk’s nose. The monk looks at the fly and really sees it. He sees himself in the fly’s eyes and feels a oneness with the fly and all creation. He sees the fly as “Buddha-Fly.” The fly is no longer an irritant; it’s a teacher. Subtitled “a tale of mindfulness for children,” Schneider’s story of awakening might work best for children who already have a passing knowledge of the teachings of Buddha since concepts such as oneness, “Buddha-Fly,” and meditation aren’t explained. The illustrations, a mix of folk art and abstraction, contain a few confusing moments. Simple meditation instructions are included at the close. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Better choices abound in the boom of mindfulness titles for kids. (Picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews