A way of seeing the world, that is at the heart of Japanese culture. I loved that in the front of the book we learn the meaning of Wabi Sabi…. As he instructs Wabi Sabi to sit, listen and feel so do we begin to understand the simplicity. Like the cities sharp clear high-rise buildings, the dark and green of the forest can be just as majestic. In plain things there can be great beauty. It is not till drinking tea with a wise monkey does Wabi Sabi realise it is the simple things that are beautiful. Wabi Sabi goes on a journey to find out the meaning of her name, not realising all along there are gentle hints being given by each creature she asks along the way. I loved the message this story brings in a subtle way. Why I like this: This was an interesting book, opening in a top to bottom fashion as opposed to left to right. Together, they illustrate the unique world view that is wabi sabi. Caldecott Medal-winning artist Ed Young complements the lyrical text with breathtaking collages. Using spare text and haiku, Mark Reibstein weaves an extraordinary story about finding real beauty in unexpected places. The curious Wabi Sabi then sets out on an adventure to discover the true meaning of her name. The master says, “That is hard to explain.” And that is all she says. Synopsis: From the inside flat – Wabi Sabi, a little cat in Kyoto, Japan, has never thought about her name, until friends visiting from another land ask what it means. Wabi Sabi watched as her master drew breath through her teeth, shook her head, and said: “That’s hard to explain.” It had never occurred to her before that wabi sabi was anything more than her name.

One day, visitors from another country asked Wabi Sabi’s master what her name meant. Opening Lines: Wabi Sabi was a cat who lived in Kyoto, Japan. Theme: simplicity, understanding, harmony, the mysterious, the journey

Wabi sabi ed young