Overview
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.
Synopsis
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.
Publishers Weekly
As Gershator's (Rata-Pata-Scata-Fata) resonant, lyrical tale opens, young Takeboki takes a job as a Flower Keeper for the temple monks. Though his task is to sweep up the fallen plum and cherry blossoms in their garden in spring, the conscientious, content worker continues sweeping through the other seasons-and many of them. Though his family urges him to find a better job, Takeboki responds that he is happy sweeping and takes comfort in the fact that "he knew what he knew: The monks need a temple, the temple needs a garden, and the garden needs a Flower Keeper." When he grows too old and sick to work, the monks initially don't notice, but the fall leaves, winter snow and fallen spring blossoms accumulate in his absence. Hastening to the Flower Keeper's home, they find his lifeless body and regret never thanking him. But seeing a smile on his face, they recall the "simple truth" of the Buddha: "A single flower says more than words." The sweeper's contentment continues in his new world, "a radiant land without end," where with his silver broom he sweeps "clouds into billowing mountains and shifting, drifting wisps of white" and with his rake of gold he rakes "clouds through the day's last rays-how fiery the setting sun!" Created from Japanese papers, Meade's (Hush!) richly textured, luminous collage illustrations are as simple and graceful as Gershator's narrative. Like Takeboki's, theirs is a job well done. Ages 5-up. (Apr.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationEditorials
From the Publisher
“Written in clear, minimalist language, accompanied by rich, organic illustrations . . . This is an original fable not to be missed.” –Starred, Kirkus Reviews “Meade’s beautiful collage illustrations of the earthly garden and glorious afterlife . . . will help kids get closer to the text’s religious and philosophical themes.” —Booklist “Nicely constructed for reading aloud, this quiet story has a satisfying progression.” —School Library Journal “Celebrates the rewards of meaningful work.”—The Horn Book “Meade’s richly textured, luminous collage illustrations are as simple and graceful als Gershator’s narrative . . . A job well done.” –Publishers Weekly "A sweetly philosophical readaloud."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksPublishers Weekly
As Gershator's (Rata-Pata-Scata-Fata) resonant, lyrical tale opens, young Takeboki takes a job as a Flower Keeper for the temple monks. Though his task is to sweep up the fallen plum and cherry blossoms in their garden in spring, the conscientious, content worker continues sweeping through the other seasons-and many of them. Though his family urges him to find a better job, Takeboki responds that he is happy sweeping and takes comfort in the fact that "he knew what he knew: The monks need a temple, the temple needs a garden, and the garden needs a Flower Keeper." When he grows too old and sick to work, the monks initially don't notice, but the fall leaves, winter snow and fallen spring blossoms accumulate in his absence. Hastening to the Flower Keeper's home, they find his lifeless body and regret never thanking him. But seeing a smile on his face, they recall the "simple truth" of the Buddha: "A single flower says more than words." The sweeper's contentment continues in his new world, "a radiant land without end," where with his silver broom he sweeps "clouds into billowing mountains and shifting, drifting wisps of white" and with his rake of gold he rakes "clouds through the day's last rays-how fiery the setting sun!" Created from Japanese papers, Meade's (Hush!) richly textured, luminous collage illustrations are as simple and graceful as Gershator's narrative. Like Takeboki's, theirs is a job well done. Ages 5-up. (Apr.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information