Brave Little Parrot
Winner of the 2023 NYC Big Book Award for Childrens-Inspirational books!
How can you save a burning forest with just sprinkles of water? This timeless Buddhist tale may just have the answer!
In this ancient tale of one of the Buddha’s past lives, the Buddha is born as a little gray parrot who takes it upon herself to save her beloved forest home from a raging fire.
Even though she can only sprinkle drops of water onto the blaze . . .
. . . her perseverance, courage, and compassion change everything, eventually saving the forest in an unexpected way.
Zen teacher and acclaimed storyteller Rafe Martin is joined by the award-winning illustrator Demi to render this centuries-old classic into a beautiful and timeless tale that will inspire all of us to find our own bravery and to act selflessly for the benefit of all.
PRAISE
"Believing that 'stories must present renewed relevance for each generation,' author Rafe Martin wisely reinterprets the traditional ending and some of the messages along the way to inspire twenty-first-century children (and parents). The illustrations are created in the way of the Pahari School of miniature painting. 'Instead of drawing something once,' artist Demi explains, 'I would draw it a hundred times until it seemed to come alive and run across the page.' The cumulative effect in this children's book is a fresh, relevant, moving take on an old wisdom tale."
—Bonnie Nadzam, Lion's Roar
“Children will celebrate the brave little parrot’s victory and ask for this story again and again. It’s a wonderful choice for reading aloud.”
—Booklist
Rafe Martin’s lyrical retelling brings to life an inspiring tale from ancient India that will speak to today’s readers. Today, as rain forests burn, this old tale of doing the one little thing you can takes on special meaning . . . An author’s note explains that jataka tales based on the past lives of the Buddha have been told and retold for 2500 years. This is an elegant continuation of that tradition.”
—Publishers Weekly
Winner of the 2023 NYC Big Book Award for Childrens-Inspirational books!
How can you save a burning forest with just sprinkles of water? This timeless Buddhist tale may just have the answer!
In this ancient tale of one of the Buddha’s past lives, the Buddha is born as a little gray parrot who takes it upon herself to save her beloved forest home from a raging fire.
Even though she can only sprinkle drops of water onto the blaze . . .
. . . her perseverance, courage, and compassion change everything, eventually saving the forest in an unexpected way.
Zen teacher and acclaimed storyteller Rafe Martin is joined by the award-winning illustrator Demi to render this centuries-old classic into a beautiful and timeless tale that will inspire all of us to find our own bravery and to act selflessly for the benefit of all.
PRAISE
"Believing that 'stories must present renewed relevance for each generation,' author Rafe Martin wisely reinterprets the traditional ending and some of the messages along the way to inspire twenty-first-century children (and parents). The illustrations are created in the way of the Pahari School of miniature painting. 'Instead of drawing something once,' artist Demi explains, 'I would draw it a hundred times until it seemed to come alive and run across the page.' The cumulative effect in this children's book is a fresh, relevant, moving take on an old wisdom tale."
—Bonnie Nadzam, Lion's Roar
“Children will celebrate the brave little parrot’s victory and ask for this story again and again. It’s a wonderful choice for reading aloud.”
—Booklist
Rafe Martin’s lyrical retelling brings to life an inspiring tale from ancient India that will speak to today’s readers. Today, as rain forests burn, this old tale of doing the one little thing you can takes on special meaning . . . An author’s note explains that jataka tales based on the past lives of the Buddha have been told and retold for 2500 years. This is an elegant continuation of that tradition.”
—Publishers Weekly