The Day the Buddha Woke Up

While this Buddhist board book is aimed at small children, the words and images speak to everyone, regardless of age. Author Andrea Miller, deputy editor of Lion’s Roar, a Buddhist magazine, tells the story of how Siddhartha became the Buddha, starting with his birth, then his quest for understanding, and leading to his ultimate awakening under the Bodhi Tree. Miller is able to take complex Buddhist philosophies and distill them into small, simple phrases easily understood by young children. One of the fundamental precepts of Buddhism, dukkha or the realization that life is unsatisfactory, is explained by these deceptively simple words: “Why aren’t people happy?” The artwork is by Japanese painter Rima Fujita, who provides the lush and colourful landscapes of the Buddha’s world, including jewels, animals, mountains, and faces. Her illustrations are warm and calming.

The Day the Buddha Woke Up is a short but powerful retelling and is a recommended purchase for the home and libraries looking to enhance the diversity of their collections.