Are We There Yet?

It has been a long winter’s sleep for Bear. When he comes out of hibernation, he encounters Butterfly. Butterfly says he is about to go on a long journey, and he asks Bear if he would like to go along. Bear wants to know where they are going, but Butterfly tells him the destination may be secret and that the journey is the real reward. Bear worries they have gotten lost, but Butterfly suggests that sometimes one has to lose oneself in order to find oneself. They climb a mountain and enjoy the view. Bear asks if they are at the end of their journey, and Butterfly asks if that is what Bear wants. Bear thinks they might go a little farther. And so it goes.

Author/Illustrator Sven Völker has written a very sweet, quiet book that introduces the values and philosophies of Buddhism to very young readers. The text is very lyrical and the story of friendship and the cycles of life will calm any toddler at nap time or bedtime. The illustrations are simple and use soft colors to help with the calming effect of the text. This is simply lovely.