Little Sid: The Tiny Prince Who Became Buddha by Ian Lendler and Xanthe Bouma

This book, wow.  I loved it.  Absolutely loved it.  There’s so much about this book that is important, especially in today’s day and age.  It’s the kind of book that both children and adults can learn and benefit from, and the message that it shares is both powerful and moving.

Religion fascinates me.  All religions – I love learning about them.  Because I love learning about them, I also want my children to grow up with an interest in religions – not only whichever religion they choose when they get older, but the religions of other people around the world.  It’s important to know at least a few things about them I think, and Little Sid is a great way to teach even very young children about Buddhism.

I’m conflicted about what to talk about first when it comes to this book – there is so much to love about it.  The artwork, the writing, the story – it’s all something to be cherished and makes for great story time with children or a refreshing read for yourself.

I think what drew me into Little Sid right off the bat was the colorful artwork on the cover.  I know we should never judge a book by its cover, but just look at that – it’s bright in terms of color, and the illustration is simply charming.  Of course it would not only attract the attention of a child, but it does the same for adults, too!

If you like the cover, you’ll be pleased to know that the inside of the book is filled with the same beautiful and colorful illustrations on all 40 pages.  The illustrations tell a story all on their own, and the artist truly captures the emotions that Sid feels throughout the book, as well as the setting, his surroundings, and the animal characters that are also in the book.  They are all vivid and full of life, making this book something extra special.  I read this with my daughter who is five, and she was simply captivated by the beautiful pictures in the book.  While I believe the story is equally important in a picture book, I also think that it has to have illustrations that will help hold interest, and that goes above and beyond in this book.

So what about the story within the pages of Little Sid?  Let’s talk about that now!

Little Sid tells the story of Sid, a young prince who has it all – even performers who are always around to make him laugh.  He is constantly showered with gifts, but there is one thing wrong – he isn’t happy.  He tries to talk to his parents, but they are constantly telling him that they have things to do and that he will have to wait for later, which in turn makes him even more unhappy.

So, despite everything that he has that should make him happy, he turns it all away and sets off on a journey to find happiness.

He deals with a few animals – such as a scary tiger and a mouse that isn’t quite what it seems, and after a  frightening situation arises, Sid comes to the conclusion about happiness, and decides that he must share his discovery with others.

The message within the pages of this book is simple enough for a child to understand, and yet complex enough for an adult to ponder, before coming to the realization that this book is one hundred percent correct about what it is trying to say.  The message is one that goes directly to the heart, as well as opens up eyes to make it quite clear what is trying to be said.

No matter what, you can’t buy happiness.  No amount of gifts or lavish things can truly make someone happy.

It’s the type of message that speaks wonders in this day and age, and it’s such a refreshing thing to come back to in times when you are feeling overwhelmed, sad, or just stressed.  I’ve read this book several times now and not only do I find it comforting, but it also has sparked an interest into doing some research about Buddhism.  I do admit that while I know the basic principles, I am not all that familiar with the religion’s finer details.

This book is perfect to share with family member, friend, or even to come home to after a long day at work and unwind, reminding yourself and others close to you of what is really important in your life.