Publication
Imprint: New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. Responsibility: Phillis Gershator, illustrated by Holly Meade. OCLC Number: 60798520. Physical: Text : 1 volume : 1 volume (32 unpaged) : color illustrations ; 29 cm.
Call number
SB-CT / Gersh
ISBN
9780374370077
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Description: Young Takeboki needs a job and the monks in the temple need a flower keeper - so Takeboki sets to work, sweeping up flowers and leaves and creating swirling miniature worlds of his own in the temple garden. As the years go by, others ask him: Don't you want a better job? But as the seasons shift, each as beautiful as the last, Takeboki knows the pleasures of nature and of humbly doing a job well. He is happy.
Luminous collage illustrations created from delicate Japanese papers by a Caldecott Honor artist bring to life this thought-provoking tale that, with its Zen Buddhist sensibility, has much to say about work, wisdom, and the joy of being true to oneself. -- from jacket
FY2018 /
Luminous collage illustrations created from delicate Japanese papers by a Caldecott Honor artist bring to life this thought-provoking tale that, with its Zen Buddhist sensibility, has much to say about work, wisdom, and the joy of being true to oneself. -- from jacket
FY2018 /
Physical description
32 p.; 29 cm
Awards
Lupine Award (Honor — Picture Book — 2007)
Red Clover Book Award (Nominee — 2009)
The White Ravens (2008)
Skipping Stones Honor Award (2008)
Description
Despite criticism for his lack of "accomplishments," Takiboki finds contentment sweeping flower blossoms and raking the sand and gravel in the monks' temple garden. Includes a note on the art and beauty of Japanese gardens.
Language
Original language
English
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User reviews
LibraryThing member adge73
This reminds me a bit of Zen Shorts, although this isn't quite as compact and sharp. Quiet and lovely, not the sort of thing you see a lot of in picture books.
LibraryThing member raizel
A man sweeps the garden of a temple for Buddhist monks from the time he is a boy. It is necessary work and he does it well. He doesn't need the appreciation of others; this is just as well since his family is disappointed that he doesn't want to be more important and the monks only realize his
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worth after he dies. But there is a heaven and the clouds need sweeping. Show Less
LibraryThing member EmilyJayneMann
This book is an inspirational story probably best for third or higher. It is something you could read to younger children but they may not understand it fully. It is also having to do with budhists, keep this in mind.