Some good children's books

Magwang

Go to any bookstore in North America and count the number of buddhist children's books. Not many compared to you know who.

Here's a couple I like:

Google Book: http://books.google.ca/books?id=Ysb3NN-K-fQC&dq=prince+siddhartha+book&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=HiZ7TLDuIYH_8Ab8nenLDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false
Publisher: http://www.wisdompubs.org/Pages/display.lasso?-KeyValue=32845&-Token.Action=&image=1



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and:

Google Book: http://books.google.com/books?id=Y2Kbo-cuitQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=meow+said+the+mouse&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false
Publisher: http://www.parallax.org/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=BOOKMEOW


Feel free to post your own recommendations!

Thanks,

Mag

MellowViper

I don't like making it too much of a point in exposing children to belief systems though. I think when they become teenagers its ok though. I mean, I'd teach them about what different people believe and dinosaurs and whatnot, but I wouldn't force any beliefs on them. I would also teach them about basic morality and empathy and why good conducts right and how bad conduct negatively effects the world and such. I don't like the idea of ingraining esoteric beliefs in children though.

Polarisld33

I agree with MellowViper. I think the way many religions force God down their children's throats is far more detrimental than letting them find out for themselves. I truely believe many of my current psychological issues stem from a Catholic upbringing, even though it ended when I was 8 years old. I broke away from all God-based religions because I was tired of hearing that I was unhappy because God wanted me to be that way. Children just need a chance to enjoy life before they get old enough for life to be complicated.

Magwang

MellowViper wrote: »

I don't like making it too much of a point in exposing children to belief systems though. I think when they become teenagers its ok though. I mean, I'd teach them about what different people believe and dinosaurs and whatnot, but I wouldn't force any beliefs on them...

Buddhism is not a belief system.

MellowViper wrote: »

...I would also teach them about basic morality and empathy and why good conducts right and how bad conduct negatively effects the world and such....

I couldn't agree with you more.

MellowViper wrote: »

...I don't like the idea of ingraining esoteric beliefs in children though.

My Christian wife and I agree on this. We decided to give our child exposure to the diverse world of spirituality, philosophy, art and science.

Polarisld33 wrote: »

...Children just need a chance to enjoy life before they get old enough for life to be complicated.

Life is complicated and simple also. All I can do as a parent is give my child the skills, courage and support to be a better, kinder person.

MellowViper

I meant belief system in a purely literal sense of the phrase. I believe the teachings of Sidhartha just as I believe the teachings of Charles Darwin. It could connotate blind faith, though, which is what Buddhism certainly isn't about. Maybe a system of concepts could be a better way of putting it. What I meant was I don't like teaching young children overly complicated concepts about the world or overly simplified concepts of an obviously complex world, death, and whatnot. It doesn't matter if its an accurate set of beliefs that's logically rooted in reality or an inaccurate belief system based in blind faith. There's an animated movie about sidhartha though. You might be able to find an English dub over of it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wtyqoNNT50