Kindness is packed with excellent tales that will surprise and delight readers while introducing them to the diversity of religious traditions. ―John Green, Booklist

Following the Buddha through his various transformations, these clarified, often humorous narrative journeys open the ancient masters profound and gentle teachings to persons of all ages, religions, races, and ideological persuasions. Over and over this marvelous book tells us, let go of your anger, your fear, your greedy desire. Embrace gladness. Follow the path. And the stories themselves, simply as stories, form a wondrous pageant of elephants, monkeys, monks, and men working through foolishness toward wisdom and delight. This collection of traditional Buddhist tales leads us to the kind of implicit understanding of ourselves and others that only stories can provide.

Thousands of years in their telling and retelling, these stories invite readers of all ages to explore one of the world's most ancient and varied religious traditions.

Vivid dramas--featuring gods, goddesses, kings, sages, and fools--have been selected from ancient Hindu epics, myths, and folk traditions across India. Sarah Conover, Abhi Janamanchi, and illustrator Shanthi Chandrasekar bring to life the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the land and people of Southern India, creating a captivating collection. The stories themselves convey key values, such as honesty, generosity, and justice but also introduce readers to unique religious and cultural observances. Additional resources provide further information on Hinduism.

This collection of essays from Barbara Kingsolver, Anne Lamott, Barry Lopez, and others reflects on how parenting challenges, enriches, and magnifies our spiritual lives.

They explore those times when children helped them appreciate the mystery and beauty of life, how children threw them into battles with their souls, and how children helped them say yes to living. Parents with families of all kinds will find in these essays moments of joyful recognition and compassionate understanding for the unique spiritual adventure of raising children.

A collection of traditional stories from one of the world's oldest civilizations. Simple, often humorous, and always wise, these tales will delight readers of all ages, making Harmony a book to cherish.

For over two thousand years, the Chinese have used brief sayings known as chengyu to sum up practical wisdom and ethical principles. Most chengyu are associated with a story that illustrates their meaning, and these stories have been passed down by word of mouth over the centuries.

Gathered in this volume are twenty-four of the most popular chengyu and the stories based on them, each beautifully illustrated by one of China's foremost artists, Ji Ruoxiao. For readers curious about the cultural context of the tales, the book includes a brief overview of Chinese religious traditions as well as background notes on each story, a map, and chronology.