Book details

Macmillan Children's Book

I Once Was a Monkey

Stories Buddha Told

Author: Jeanne M. Lee; Illustrated by the author

I Once Was a Monkey

I Once Was a Monkey

$21.99

About This Book

A colorful introduction to Buddhist fables

A monkey, caught in a monsoon, finds shelter in a cave amid the rubble of a temple. The monkey is not alone. A lion, a jackal,...

Page Count
40
On Sale
03/31/1999
Age Range
5-9

Book Details

A colorful introduction to Buddhist fables

A monkey, caught in a monsoon, finds shelter in a cave amid the rubble of a temple. The monkey is not alone. A lion, a jackal, a turtle, and a dove bicker in the cramped space, until a statue of Buddha comes to life. "Hush, children, hush." Buddha says. "I will tell you a story to pass the time." From the tale of the clever monkey outwitting a hungry crocodile to that of a bird and turtle rescuing a friend, the six amusing parables told by the Buddha will introduce young readers to the famous cycle of fables in Buddhist literature known as the Jatakas, or birth stories, which Buddha originally told to his disciples to illustrate his teachings. Joined with stunning linocut illustrations, Jeanne M. Lee's I Once Was a Monkey form a book notable for both its beauty and its wisdom.

Imprint Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

ISBN

9780374335489

In The News

“In a sort of story-within-a-story form, Lee presents six short Jatakas, or 'birth stories,' drawn from Buddhist literature...The appealing character of the monkey will pull children into the tales, which convey lessons in a direct yet gentle way that is never preachy. The accompanying linocut illustrations are lovely.” —Booklist

About the Creators

I Once Was a Monkey

I Once Was a Monkey

$21.99