The Cat Who Taught Zen
From James Norbury, the much-loved author and illustrator behind Big Panda and Tiny Dragon, comes a new illustrated fable that's just as likely to stop you in your tracks. At its centre is a cat steeped in zen philosophy, travelling in search of a legendary ancient pine tree said to be the source of boundless knowledge. It's a classic quest, but Norbury keeps things surprising. Along the route, the cat crosses paths with a wonderfully odd collection of creatures: a monkey wracked with worry, a tortoise worn down by the weight of existence, a tiger at war with his own fury, a wolf cub adrift in confusion, and a crow consumed by longing for what others possess. Each encounter feels specific, recognisable, quietly comic. Then a chance meeting with a mischievous young kitten throws everything the cat thought he knew into question. That single moment of disruption is where the book earns its depth. Norbury writes with a calm, unhurried touch that makes the heavier ideas feel light without losing their weight. It's the kind of story that works for a child at bedtime and for an adult who needs five minutes of stillness. The central observation, that what we want and what we need are almost always strangers to each other, lingers long after the final page. A gentle, genuinely affecting read.
- Author: James Norbury
- Publisher: Michael Joseph
- Genre: Design & Fashion
- ISBN: 978-0241640159
- Pages: 176 pages