Top 10 Best Buddhism Books For Kids
Ranked #900 in Parenting & Kids, #27,201 overall
Best Books on Buddhism For Young Kids (Ages 2-8)
This list contains the most popular, highest rated, best selling books. It also explains why exactly these books are so great.
Through these books kids will learn the basics of Buddhism. The beautiful colorful illustrations, and vivid metaphors will also teach kids about relaxation, happiness, breathing, and even meditation.
They have shown to be entertaining for kids and adults parents alike. Many aren't exclusively educative for kids, in fact they contain wonderful lessons for grown-ups as well! So beware, as a parent you might learn something new too!
Photo: Mr. Absurd | Wikimedia Commons.
#1 Buddha at Bedtime
Buddhism made accessible and enjoyable for kids
Buddha at Bedtime also offers an introduction to basic meditation and relaxation techniques, and demonstrates how to discuss the stories with the kids.
Furthermore there's an overview of The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, and The Five Precepts.
Recommended for kids of ages 4-10.
Buddha at Bedtime: Tales of Love and Wisdom for You to Read with Your Child to Enchant, Enlighten and Inspire
Amazon Price: $9.62 (as of 05/30/2012)
#2 The Three Questions
based on the short story by Russian author Leo Tolstoy
Jon J Muth's The Three Questions teaches kids about compassion and living in the moment. The beautiful water-colored illustrations and the charming narrating style make this one of the best Buddhist books for kids. Focused on kids aged 5 to 9 but readers from all ages might be able to satisfy their basic spiritual needs with it too.
This author's children's books have received numerous awards.
"The Three Questions is quietly life-changing" according to The New York Times Book Review. For curious parents, here's the praiseful NY Times article.
''The Three Questions'' presents a world of moral consequence and choice, where questions of right and wrong must be puzzled out and where each person's actions really do make a difference. Young and old readers alike will take heart from that.
![The Three Questions [Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tEq2p4KQL._SL160_.jpg)
The Three Questions [Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy]
Amazon Price: $6.88 (as of 05/30/2012)
#3 Peaceful Piggy Meditation
simple meditation techniques for kids
This book deserves to be in the top 10 because it is one of the few children's books on Buddhism that explain and teach age-appropriate meditation techniques.
Despite it's core topic being meditation the book has a down-to-earth, modern narrative style (e.g. there are video-game playing pigs).
Reading this book at bedtime might help create an oasis of calmness and relaxation in a kid's (and their parents) life.
"The book guides children through the reasons why meditation is necessary, and believe me when I say it is the best book on the market for doing so (I looked around extensively). Especially good is the "mind-in-a-jar" experiment at the end of the book which gives a concrete, hands-on demonstration of why meditation is necessary." Amazon review
Peaceful Piggy Meditation (Albert Whitman Prairie Books)
Amazon Price: $3.56 (as of 05/30/2012)
#4 Zen Ties
probably the best kids book on Zen
Themes of this book are; non-judgment, acceptance, friendship, forgiveness, connections, and community.
This is another example of a book written for kids that is capable of teaching adults some valuable life lessons too.
"He lovingly distills the wisdom of ancient Zen teachings into the most touching and practical stories about the things we all come up against in life and frequently do not, despite our best intentions, know how to handle."
Zen Ties
Amazon Price: $10.38 (as of 05/30/2012)
Panda Stillwater, The Plush Doll
Stillwater the Panda Doll (Zen Shorts)
Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
This is a small plush doll of the haiku speaking panda Stillwater who features Zen Ties, Zen Shorts, and Zen Ghosts. The plush Stillwater is only 4 inches tall.
Amazon Reviewer Ann Marie Tlumacki says it best, " "Little Stillwater the Panda Doll makes a perfect gift to accompany Zen Shorts as well as Zen Ties. He can keep the reader company while reading these books or can be cuddled while an adult is reading to a younger child."
#5 Each Breath a Smile
great book on mindful breathing
Each Breath a Smile shows kids how to relax and enjoy happiness through mindful breathing. This way they learn about Buddhism and how breathing the right way can help them experience calmness and joyfulness.
For preschool-aged kids.
Each Breath a Smile
Amazon Price: $5.64 (as of 05/30/2012)
#6 I Once Was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told
an introduction to Buddhism for kids
I Once Was a Monkey: consists of short stories addressing universal values. These stories are based on so called jakatas.
Jakatas are tales that Buddha told. They are based on the experiences, and lessons that Buddha learned through his past lives as different animals. Buddha has been a monkey, dove, lion, jackal, and dove.
I Once Was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told
Amazon Price: $9.69 (as of 05/30/2012)
#7 Anh's Anger
It teaches both kids and parents about the value of acknowledging and resolving complex emotions such as anger.
"A really simple and yet profound story of a grandfather teaching a young boy how to sit with the difficult emotion of anger. A lesson not just for children but grown ups as well."
Anh's Anger
Amazon Price: $10.37 (as of 05/30/2012)
#8 A Pebble for Your Pocket
A Pebble for Your Pocket isn't a picture book, so it's probably best suitable for 8-12 year olds and kids that read independently.
Further on this page more on Thich Nhat Hanh and Buddhism books for kids from his hand.
"A Pebble for Your Pocket is a gem from a true spiritual master." Parenting with Spirit magazine
A Pebble for Your Pocket
Amazon Price: $10.35 (as of 05/30/2012)
#9 Parrot and the Fig Tree
The tale of Parrot and the Fig Tree introduces seasons, the interdependency of all beings, and the value of loyalty.
A parrot refuses to abandon his good friend, a fig tree, even during winter when the tree has no figs, and eventually even when it is destroyed by a storm. For his loyalty to the tree, the parrot is rewarded by the god Shakra, with the rebirth of the tree.
This books also has coloring pages representing particular scenes from the story.
Parrot and the Fig Tree (Jataka Tales)
Amazon Price: $5.15 (as of 05/30/2012)
#10 Magic of Patience (A Jataka Tale)
Core topic of this book is how to show patience, instead of anger, and how this behavior can yield goodwill and harmony.
Also with coloring pages.
Magic of Patience (Jataka Tales)
Amazon Price: $4.80 (as of 05/30/2012)
Something About Thich Nhat Hanh
Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet, and peace activist
Thich Nhat Hanh (born October 11, 1926) is a Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist now based in France.
He joined a Zen monastery at the age of 16, studied Buddhism as a novice, and was fully ordained as a monk in 1949. The title ThÃch is used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan.
Nhat Hanh has become an important influence in the development of Western Buddhism. His teachings and practices aim to appeal to people from various religious, spiritual, and political backgrounds, intending to offer mindfulness practices for more Western sensibilities.
Thich Nhat Hanh offers various practices that children can do on their own or with others that will help them to transform anger and unhappiness and reconnect to the wonders of nature, and the joy of living in the present moment
Read more on Wikipedia
More Thich Nhat Hanh Books for Kids
Buddhism Explained in Short for Kids
and a guide on how to draw Buddha for kids
According to many Buddhism isn't a religion. It's more like a belief system, a way of life. Also called a philosophy. Core values of Buddhism are; love, goodness, wisdom, calmness, compassion, and self-control.
A very old tale tells about a young Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama. He had a good life but was touched by the misery of other people. In his search for answers he met a monk. He decided to become a monk himself and started a long journey with as goal to understand the suffering in the world.
One day, when sitting under a tree he found out what caused the suffering and how to end it. This earned him the title; Buddha which means awakened one. Source: ancienthistory.mrdonn.org
Click the picture for a step to step guide on how to draw Buddha.
More Buddhism on Squidoo
What Do You Think of This List of Best Buddhism Books for Kids?
you can drop a note below if you like
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alicanas
Mar 3, 2012 @ 7:55 am | delete
- this is great!
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spirituality Jan 18, 2011 @ 5:20 am | delete
- :) Great lens. I have two groups this would suit in: http://www.squidoo.com/groups/religious-gifts
and http://www.squidoo.com/groups/buddha
You know the drill by now I think :)
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KokoTravel
Jan 8, 2011 @ 2:01 pm | delete
- Great list of books on Buddhism for kids. Thanks!
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rooturaj
Nov 11, 2010 @ 9:42 am | delete
- Super.. I liked this book list...will start with the first one. I dont look like one...but I am a kid..deep down...and one day I wish to write for kids. ..so this should help..Thanks for sharing this list.
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aesta1
Nov 1, 2010 @ 7:33 pm | delete
- Thic Nhat Hanh is my favourite. I will show this to our Buddhist monk friend next week. He will enjoy these stories.
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scar4
Oct 24, 2010 @ 7:58 pm | delete
- Love the Buddha picture. Great list of Buddhism books for kids. Thumbs up.
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SereneSea
Oct 18, 2010 @ 11:05 pm | delete
- Beautiful lens and I cannot agree with you more. I am impressed with Buddha's teachings and philosophies. He taught only what he experienced himself - a way to come out of sufferings. The foundation of goodness, benevolence if laid in the childhood can serve a long way in this difficult journey of life. Buddha taught what you can call- Art of living. It is very simple yet effective. It is applicable to all Monks and Layman.
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redpillpuppet
Oct 21, 2010 @ 10:24 am | delete
- Thanks for your very articulate comment!
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KonaGirl
Oct 15, 2010 @ 12:45 pm | delete
- These look like wonderful life teaching stories for children. More parents should be reading these stories to their children.
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Rewards4life Oct 14, 2010 @ 11:20 am | delete
- A very interesting read. Lots of info and some great titles here. Well done.
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by redpillpuppet
I think we can give our kids a great head start in life by introducing them at a young age to the valuable insights of Buddhism.
Kids are pure, and c...
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