A Lotus for You - by Minh Le (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The first-ever young readers' biography of visionary peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, illustrating his remarkable life and inspirational teachings--released to celebrate what would be his 100th birthday

Thich Nhat Hanh, the revered leader nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and hailed "the father of mindfulness" by TIME magazine, lived a fascinating life. Born in Vietnam in 1926 under French colonialism, he became a Buddhist monk when he was 16 years old. His 95-year path of transformation spanned continents and included war, exile, and the mission to teach peace through the understanding that we are all interconnected, and that peace in the world starts with peace in oneself.

In the pages of this book, learn

• why it's worthwhile to savor a sweet treat,
• the secret strength you carry everywhere you go (hint: it takes place 20-30 times per minute!), and
• how horrible challenges can make you a kinder, wiser person.

Moving storytelling from award-winning author Minh Lê (Drawn Together, Let Me Finish) and warm watercolors from Cátia Chien will captivate children and parents alike along this journey through the years with this humble Zen monk.

Released in honor of Thich Nhat Hanh's 100th birthday, this book is both a tribute and a timeless introduction to a teacher whose life continues to inspire generations.

About the Author

Minh Lê is the author of the picture books Lift and Drawn Together (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, Let Me Finish! (named an NPR Best Book of 2016), illustrated by Isabel Roxas, and The Perfect Seat, illustrated by Gus Gordon (all published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers). He also wrote Green Lantern: Legacy, a middle grade graphic novel (illustrated by Andie Tong) for DC Comics. In addition to writing books, Lê has written for a variety of publications, including The New York Times, The Horn Book, NPR, and HuffPost. Except for spending time with his wonderful wife and children at their home in San Diego, Lê's favorite place to be is in the middle of a good book.

Cátia Chien is a Brazilian Taiwanese artist. She's the illustrator of such titles as The Bear and the Moon, which was a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal for Original Art winner and a Golden Kite Award for picture book illustration winner, and A Boy and a Jaguar, an ALA Notable Book and recipient of the Schneider Family Book Award. Her art has been shown in galleries worldwide including the Beijing National Gallery and the Bologna Children's Book Fair exhibition. She is also the founder of A THOUSAND WORLDS, a curated picture book directory celebrating BIPOC creators. She lives in Pasadena, California with her family.