(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Chan Chau. Middle-schooler Binh isn't happy about his Vietnamese American family's trip to a silent Buddhist meditation retreat. His beloved Game Boy is taken away, and, worse, Binh has to write an apology for shoving the school bully to the ground after he'd directed anti-Asian racist remarks at Binh. During the retreat, through Sister Peace's skillful teachings and meditation, Binh learns to set aside his angst and anger and find the inner wisdom, strength, and community to handle life's challenges. Frequent cool colors in dynamically composed panels made for a sweet and surprisingly soothing comic. Siddhartha Gautama's path to enlightenment and the Jataka tales (fables connected to Buddha's prior forms) are made accessible by framing them through Binh's perspective, with some video-game allusions and nature imagery, talking animals, and spirits. Both reader+s who are unfamiliar with the religion and those who practice it will enjoy this refreshing, modern Buddhist primer, complete with a bibliography that lists other educational texts. As Sister Peace says, "The journey to becoming a B uddha is long, and not one that should be traveled alone."

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) K-3 Translated by Jeremy Tiang. "Deep in the Kunlun Hills, there lived a mystical deer," the Nine Color Deer, so called because of the varied colors in her fur. One day she saves a drowning man (by leaping from wave to wave and walking on water), and in return asks only that he not tell anyone where she is. He keeps his promise until the imperial palace announces that the queen had dreamt of a magical deer with great powers that can "help our kingdom prosper," and the king summons assistance to find the deer. The lure of the reward money, which would aid his poor family, causes the man to break his long-held promise, and he leads the king and soldiers to the Nine Color Deer. The deer's magic saves her ("a dazzling white light blossomed around her") from the soldiers' arrows; the kingdom and the man she'd once saved realize the errors of their ways. Translator Tiang's fascinating closing note relates that this story's first iteration is from two thousand years ago; Duan's version is inspired by the famous Dunhuang paintings in China's Mogao Caves. Her textured illustrations (painted with a "comprehensive technique, involving acrylic, mineral color and Photoshop"), using a soft, subdued palette, honor the style of the original cave paintings; they are wispy and fine-lined and capture the delicacy and eloquence of the mystical deer and her world. A beguiling and welcome new telling of a traditional tale.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(4) YA Understanding World Religions and Beliefs series. These primers take on each faith's history, beliefs, politics, and contemporary issues. The well-designed, accessible volumes include plenty of photos and other images; the series' broad scope results in a few errors (Judaism doesn't mention Halacha (Jewish law) or the Shulchan Aruch, which codifies the law; Christianity conflates communion with confirmation in the Catholic Church). Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Understanding World Religions and Beliefs titles: Understanding Christianity, Understanding Hinduism, Understanding Hinduism, Understanding Buddhism, Understanding the Nonreligious, Understanding Scientology, Understanding Islam, Understanding Sikhism, and Understanding Judaism.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 When Tash's Tibetan Buddhist parents are arrested for religious and political activity by the occupying Chinese soldiers, Tash escapes with her friend Sam and two yaks. They make a dangerous trek through the Himalayas to the exiled Tibetan community in India, where she meets the Dalai Lama. The exciting adventure story would benefit from more in-depth information about Tibet's current situation and a map. Brief facts are appended.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA Essence's marijuana-shop-worker mother is usually high, leaving Essa in charge of her little sister, Puck. Essa and Puck's lives are forever changed when a mysterious boy from Chicago, Oliver, arrives in Boulder, Colorado. Essa's interest in Zen Buddhism gives her strength once the story veers into wilderness-survival terrain. This story is at once a keep-you-guessing mystery and an affectionate portrait of liberal, outdoorsy Boulder culture.

Reviewer: Katie Darrin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Xanthe Bouma. Because his father is king, Sid's every wish is granted, but he still isn't happy. Going up the mountain to find happiness, Sid experiences a change in perspective when he lives in the moment and enjoys the deliciousness of a strawberry. Digital illustrations with doe-eyed, Disney-esque characters accompany this fanciful (unsourced) adaptation of Buddhist lore. Includes a brief note on "Siddhārtha Gautama aka the Buddha."

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by L. K. Tay-Audouard. This adaptation of the sixteenth-century Chinese novel Journey to the West by Wu Ch'eng-en (itself incorporating Chinese legends and folklore) is beautifully and fancifully illustrated in a traditional style. Although a bit wordy for a picture book, the story of Tripitaka--a monk sent to India to get Buddhist scriptures from Lord Buddha himself--and his helpers (including the titular Monkey King) is amusing and exciting.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 McGinnis presents tales adapted from the Jataka of the Buddha's animal incarnations. The concise stories (many of which, such as "The Donkey and the Lion Skin," have variants in Aesop's Fables) are told in simple prose; each is paired with a striking (if sometimes disconcerting) painting. With dark themes and occasional opacity of morals, slightly older, thoughtful readers are the best audience. Lack of sources is unfortunate.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 In the latest in Muth's string of Zen-themed picture books starring talking panda Stillwater, he and two children, who are new to his neighborhood, share experiences that lead to lessons in patience, sharing, and compassion. (Muth's author's note expands on his inspiration.) Some readers may wish there was a traditional story arc, but anyone can appreciate Muth's dulcet watercolor and ink illustrations.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA With Laura Scandiffio. Foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Gray documents a harrowing journey across the Himalayas for two brothers, Pasang (eighteen) and Tenzin (ten). They escaped oppressive Chinese Communist authorities in their small Tibetan village and reached asylum in Dharamsala, India, home of the Tibetan government-in-exile. The riveting account includes some maps and an insert of black-and-white photos. Timeline. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica McClure. A Buddhist monk calmly answers myriad questions that "real children" have asked him: "What is mindfulness?" "How can I control my temper?" "Why do kids watch TV?" The responses are astute, insightful, kid-friendly, and, as promised, Zen-infused--making Buddhist principles approachable and relevant for children of any background. It's a shame McClure wasn't more mindful and subtle with her overly chipper animal illustrations.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 In a mystery-adventure involving a derelict monastery in New York's Catskill Mountains, Jax is at odds with her overprotective mother, but her experiences with the monks facilitate a mother-daughter reconciliation. Touches of magical realism sit rather uneasily in the contemporary setting; though there are some lecture-like moments, the most valuable element of Kimmel's novel is her clear explanation of Buddhist philosophies.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Our World of Faith series. This series outlines various world religions through the voices of young people, including Herbert, a Christian who lives in Uganda, and Yuranan, a Buddhist from Thailand. Each volume illustrates key scriptures, places of worship, rites of passage, rituals, and holidays, but the coverage doesn't go into any depth. The accessible texts are enhanced with engaging photos in a lively design. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our World of Faith titles: Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 The author-photographers discuss the major commonalities among five major world religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Readers learn that these religions all have sacred texts and value charity. Other topics include clothing, symbols, and places of worship. The purposeful text--useful but quite broad--is accompanied by attractive photos of children from around the world. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Gwanjo Park & Jung-a Park. Dorje, a Royal Bengal tiger, lives with the monks in a Buddhist monastery. The creature's stripes have disappeared, signaling the decline of its species. However, one hopeful day, a monk notices a stripe on Dorje's back. With a combination of myth, magic, ecology, and spirituality, the book shares the endangered animal's true-life plight. Rich-hued, impressionistic paintings highlight the tiger's magnificence.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) YA People in the News series. These series entries provide a portrait of each subject's childhood, career, and influences. The texts, though superficial, are informative. Sidebars touch on related topics (e.g., Tibet in Dalai Lama, diabetes in Jonas Brothers), controversies (e.g., Fey's portrayal of Sarah Palin, DeGeneres's coming out), and trivia. There are five other spring 2010 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Tyra Banks, Hillary Clinton, Tina Fey, The Dalai Lama, Jonas Brothers, and Ellen DeGeneres.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 On Halloween, panda Stillwater (Zen Shorts, Zen Ties) goes trick-or-treating with the kids, then leads them to his house where "a panda who looked exactly like Stillwater" tells them a ghost story based on a Zen koan. Though the text is stilted and hard to follow, Muth's accomplished watercolor and ink illustrations are effectively mysterious and eerie.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan. This quiet story begins with Mai feeding some caged birds and wishing they were free; the tale ends with this act of kindness ("Fly free, fly free..."), after a series of other actions have occurred. Handsome, serene watercolors show stranger helping stranger with shoes, water, food, and finally good health. A brief explanation of some Buddhist precepts concludes the book.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 This biography also serves as a window into Tibetan culture and an eye-opening introduction to the region's ongoing conflict with China. The text is lyrical and informative (though readers may find the six-year-old Dalai Lama's musings unbelievable: "He imagined that as the shade began to creep over the schoolroom, it also crept over his heart"). Occasional black-and-white photographs help readers visualize Tibet. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christiane Krömer. After five-year-old Anh gets frustrated, cries, and scatters his blocks, Grandfather sends him to his room. There Anh meets a hairy, red-faced creature: his anger. Together, they howl and pound the floor. But after Anh sits still and breathes, his anger disappears. Based on Thich Nhat Hanh's Buddhist teachings, this time-out story's text is occasionally stiff, but the textured collages are expressive and striking.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey