The Legend of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching
Grade 5 Up–This is the legend of Lao Tzu, who may or may not have been born; who may or may not have founded Taoism, one of the greatest religions of the world…. Demi's elegant picture-book introduction to the legendary Chinese philosopher, often speculated to have been a contemporary of Confucius, combines nuggets of his purported life with 20 verses from the Tao Te Ching, which he may or may not have written. Allegedly born an old man, Lao Tzu became widely known for his wisdom, to the point of being courted by the emperor. Adult readers will enjoy his response to the emperor's messenger. I wash my ears because even one political word is dangerous. I wash my donkey's ears because donkeys are very political. The sketchy life story and the Tao teachings are vague, ambiguous, and mystical by turns. Demi provides no background explanation, acknowledgment of authority, or reference to other information sources. On the pretty pages, the text is set in gold letters, and the narrative and graceful paintings are contained in a gold circular frame on each parchment shaded page. The gold circles represent Tao, The Way of Heaven, according to the concluding double-page listing of Taoist symbols and their meanings. Adult fans of the artist are the most likely audience, but the book does introduce a significant, lesser-known spiritual leader to children.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, BostonCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.