A beautifully illustrated, Zen-inspired picture book for children ages 4-8 about moving to a new home, making friends, and finding beauty wherever you are.
Krit and his dog, Mu, love their beautiful home in Thailand--full of golden temples, colorful mountainsides, and endless adventures. Everything seems perfect until Krit's mother announces they will be moving to the frigid city of Chicago. At first, Krit tries to adjust to this unfamiliar place, but he can't do any of the things he used to love. Missing Thailand, Krit asks his mother to tell him a story about home. But instead of a story, she gives Krit a koan--a Zen riddle--to puzzle through. Krit wonders what the story about a blade of grass and Buddha's smile have to do with home, but in solving the puzzle, Krit meets a new friend and learns that home is wherever he makes it.
“A welcome modern tale of immigration featuring a Thai protagonist.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Picture books about families moving abound, but this one is different. Krit isn’t just missing familiar people and places, he’s missing his culture, and his happy ending springs from adopting a different outlook as well as finding a friend. In the illustrations, bright colors contrast with shades of gray, often reflecting changes in mood as the story progresses. A helpful new slant on an old theme. ”—Booklist
