Zen Ties
Written and Illustrated by: Jon J. Muth
Recommended for ages: 4 and up
Scholastic Canada Ltd. $17.99

Jon J. Muth is world- renowned for his charming picture books, The Three Questions and Zen Shorts. In this latest book, Stillwater’s nephew, Koo, comes to visit. “Hi, Koo!” he says as he greets him at the train station. Coincidentally, Koo speaks haiku, three-lines of poetry with seventeen syllables. His language is concise and humorous and brings to light the beauty of the natural world as all haiku should.

Stillwater’s young friends, Karl, Michael and Addy join him and Koo as they visit an elderly woman on their street. Up to this point, the siblings had always thought Miss Whitaker was a crabby old woman who had no use for children. Stillwater teaches them that there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Michael expresses his anxiety to Stillwater about an upcoming spelling bee at school but it is Miss Whitaker who helps him through it.

The watercolour illustrations make the story so enjoyable. Who doesn’t like to look a panda bear practicing tai chi or cleaning dishes? Old Miss Whitaker changes in stature from a tiny, disheveled woman standing with the support of a cane to a grinning, engaged lady having tea with her new friends.

Adults will enjoy this book with the subtle life lessons as much as the children to whom they read.