Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein, Art by Ed young

Dear Parents/ Caregivers 

I would like to introduce you a little more in the Asian culture with this book and the meaning of certain names like "Wabi-sabi " is underplayed and modest, the kind of quiet, undeclared beauty that waits patiently to be discovered. 

This book talks about the story of a cat named Wabi Sabi who lives in Kyoto, Japan.  Within the story, Wabi Sabi begins to wonder what her name means, and sets out determined to discover its meaning.   After receiving similar answers from her master, a cat, and a dog that her name was too difficult to explain, she sought out a monkey at Mount Hiei.  Wabi sabi is a way that one may see the world; this concept began from the ways of the Ancient Chinese, and began to sculpt Japanese culture.Basically, wabi sabi is a way or a feeling in which one can see harmony and beauty within simplicity.This concept also incorporates humility, and its importance in the world. 


Age range : 7+

This book can be classified as a multicultural children’s picturebook that incorporates fiction, a nonfiction concept, as well as poetry.  This book includes a cat’s story and haiku poems that can be found in both Japanese and English. I really enjoyed reading Wabi Sabi, as it took a concept that was difficult to understand, wabi sabi, and broke it down into a children’s story.  I found the narrative to be especially useful to understanding the concept, and the haiku complemented the story beautifully; however, such poetry may be difficult for young readers to understand.  The back of the story does include several translations for several haiku phrases in both Japanese and English.




                                  Here is a short story from the book so you can have and idea.

 Below are 2 motivational activities and reader response questions that would be beneficial for students within the classroom:  (3^rd/4^th grade Activites)         

1.  The first activity would incorporate art and poetry for the students.  After reading Wabi Sabi, students would be able to create a collage of something that represented beauty to him or her within nature/the world.  Students would be encouraged to use watercolors, realistic objects, outlining, and any other media or techniques that would bring the picture to life.  After the collages were finished, students would begin writing a haiku about the beauty within the collage.  (Remember, haikus are poems with 3 lines; the 1^st has 5 syllables, the 2^nd 7, and the 3^rd has 5 syllables.  Haikus also use one’s senses and objects of nature.)  As in the concept of wabi sabi, the collage may appear simple, but holds great beauty!
2.   The 2^nd activity would allow students to look up one’s own name and its meaning.  Each student would be given the opportunity to search for the meaning of one’s name on the computer.  Students would also be able to ask one’s parents why this name was chosen for him or her.  After all of the information was gathered, students would create a small poster with his or her name, including pictures and text describing the meaning. 

Reader Response Questions:

1.  What was the author trying to tell you through this book?
2. Have you ever seen something that others thought was simple and imperfect, but you thought it was beautiful? Explain!
3. Why do you think Wabi Sabi’s friends had such a difficult time explaining the meaning of her name?