Wabi Sabi Hardcover – Picture Book, October 1, 2008

I absolutely love the illustrations, and as an adult I like the story and poems. But I'm not sure it is going to grab the attention of my five year old grandsons. We shall see.

Loved the art work and the slow development of story line.

Occasionally, a book comes along that is beautiful and profound. Wabi Sabi captivated me. I knew the concept of wabi sabi from a décor perspective—finding beauty in simple and imperfect objects and celebrating them within the home. This book takes that concept further into a celebration of the beauty found in simplicity and imperfection in all things and beings.In the book, Wabi Sabi is a simple and imperfectly beautiful little cat seeking the meaning of her name. The text is spare and includes more than a dozen quietly lovely haiku.This is a wonderful book to read to children who are constantly bombarded with advertisements and a natural desire to own shiny, new toys & electronics. Or to give to older children already obsessed with expensive name brand items that have little to recommend them beyond a same-ness to one another. It may help diffuse the allure of materialism that is hard to escape.It is also a good book to use to introduce children to non-rhyming poetry. Perhaps after reading Wabi Sabi, they will write their own 17-syllable haiku.Its vertical format, rather than conventional horizontal format, subtly reinforces the concept of wabi sabi throughout the reading of the book. I will keep this book for many years and probably seek out other copies to give to friends and children who are important to me.

I received a gift certificate to an independent bookstore and found this book while browsing. I was immediately taken by it. The art is beautiful. I kept it for several years, and ended up donating it to the school that I taught at, as I had built several seventh grade poetry lessons around it. I had to buy a new copy for myself on Amazon.The book takes a close read for seventh graders to begin to grasp the concept of wabi sabi. There are several days of discussions before they begin to understand the deeper meaning. For adults (I share this book with my friends, and keep it on my coffee table) there is a bit of a learning curve, too, especially for those who are not familiar with the concept. Because of this, and because I've read the book with a 4-year-old, I can say it is a difficult idea for younger readers, and you should not necessarily expect your younger elementary kids to fully grasp the underlying message.However, like many things in life, the underlying meaning is not all that is present in this book. It is a piece of art with many layers. There is beautiful artwork, a story of a quest for self-realization, and the deceivingly simple concept of haiku. Younger kids can be entertained by this book without full understanding, and it can offer new conversation starters over and over again.It's a beautiful book. You should buy it.

I first bought this book for my son's Christmas stocking when he had Mark Reibstein for his 11th grade English teacher (sadly, my son was transferred to another class right after receiving it ... Mr. Reibstein is a much-loved instructor, in addition to being a gifted author). I got a second copy when I bought the box the auction item from the English department at the WHS Auction -- I saved that one for myself as it is signed! Today I am sending it as a gift to a very sick adult cancer patient and her young children as a holiday gift -- that means it is very special indeed. It is a splendid book ... rare, in that both adults and children find it captivating. I enjoy it every time I read it. Our world can certainly use more Wabi Sabi. Thank you so much. - Andrew's mom

This is advertised as a kid's book, but I'm a collage artist and bought this for myself. The artwork and story are enjoyable at any age.

Although this is a children's book, it so wonderfully captures the untranslatable Japanese idea of "wabi-sabi" through its beautiful illustrations and simple story. It can be enjoyed by adults or shared with a child.

This is a good book to make you think what wasbi sabi is. As the book says, it is not an easy thing to explain but this book does an excellent job. I liked haiku written in Japanese throughout the story. I am from Japan and understand them well. Translation at the end seems to be well done. I bought is for one of my grandchildren and am curious to see his reaction after reading it.

O livro é belíssimo, de muita riqueza e abrangência dentro da Arte e Literatura. A encadernação é impecável.

This is a lovely book. I am so glad to have found it. Always on the lookout for books that incorporate Japanese culture for my children, as it is half their heritage, what better than a simple story to explain wabisabi - at the heart of so much of Japan's aesthetic sensibilities. I love that this book incorporates both original English haiku within the story and also haiku in Japanese that are used decoratively, but are romanized and translated at the end of the book. The illustrations are beautiful collage-like compositions...no doubt intentionally very wabi sabi. I think I might purchase additional copies as gifts for friends and family too.

Livro lindo e de modo lúdico insere o leitor no wabi sabi.

Wabi Sabiと絵本とネコ？取り合わせの妙がいろんな興味をかきたてる。物語の舞台は京都。主人公はWabi Sabiの名を持つネコだ。自分の名前はどんな意味があるのだろう。尋ねた相手の反応はいつも決まっている。“That’s hard to explain.”答えを求めてWabi Sabiは旅に出る。比叡山に住むサルのKoshoならきっとわかると聞き、会いに行く。ネコの名前がユニークなら、本の作りもユニークだ。縦横約28cmの正方形で、背表紙を上にしてページを上下にめくっていく。縦長の見開きという特長を生かしたEd Youngのイラストはまるでモダンな掛け軸のようなたたずまい。KoshoとWabi Sabiが出会う月夜の場面がとりわけ印象的だ。文の構成にもひと工夫が。ストーリーの区切りを3行の俳句で締めくくり、縦書きの日本語で書かれた俳句が各ページに花を添えている。全14句は松尾芭蕉と正岡子規の作品。巻末にはそのローマ字表記と英文訳を掲載している。残念な点がただ1つ。最も有名な俳句と紹介している「古池や〜」の作者名が…。ああ、惜しい。プロフィールによると作者のMark Reibsteinは京都に住んでいたことがあり、そのときにWabi Sabiという名前のネコと出会ったそうだ。本書を手に取る子どもたちはスシやアニメの前にワビサビという言葉を知り、日本の文化に親しむことになるのかもしれない。侘び寂びをテーマの絵本が子どもの本のベストセラーに名を連ね多くの読者を得ているとは、驚きであり嬉しくもある。2008年のNew York Times Best Illustrated Children’s booksの1冊に選ばれている。

O livro é interessante mas não é infantil, não compre para presentear crianças!!