Stories from the Buddhist tradition
Three story books with accompanying literacy packs, each with its own ethical theme, such as fearlessness, patience or co-operation.
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
for Key Stage One
(Scottish Level E)
4-7 years
Authors: Padmasri and Adiccabandhu
(Windhorse Publishing)
..and a delightful Jataka tale about Four Friends
(more details below)
The Monkey King
A stirring jungle tale of greed, heroism, mangoes and sacrifice.
A wonderfully sensitive introduction to the themes of selflessness and change...very strong for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Denise Chaplin, RE Advisor and OFSTED inspector
The story is exciting! I like the monkey king.
He is a brave monkey.
Naeem, aged 7
Siddhartha & the Swan
Quarrelling over a wounded swan, the young Prince Siddhartha helps his cousin about kindness to animals.A traditional tale from the early life of the Buddha.
Through this engaging story, children are introduced to the themes of responsibility and kindness towards animals...
Denise Chaplin, RE Advisor and OFSTED inspector
A great story that people who like animals would enjoy.
Philip, aged 8
The Lion & the Jackal
A community of lions and jackals learns that friendship is built on trust and generosity.
This lovely story is very strong on spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It has lots of features which children will recognise from their own experience.
Denise Chaplin, RE Advisor and OFSTED inspector
Terrific! I like it when the jackal helps the lion out of the mud.
Hannah, aged 7
Literacy packs
These 3 packs include Big Text and whole-class, group and
individual activities. Highly praised by teachers, they contain
differentiated, photocopiable classroom activities to meet the
Literacy Hour requirements for Key Stage 1 in England and Wales.
These excellent books and literacy packs provide the children with enjoyable materials to the requirements of the Agreed Syllabus. They also address essential literacy skills
Liz McGrath, Ravenshaw School
The Four Friends
Beautifully produced by Edition Rabten, this hardback book tells the popular Jataka (previous lives of the Buddha) tale known as The Four Friends.
The story features a bird, a hare, a monkey and an elephant, each being a previous 'incarnation' of The Buddha, Shariputra, Mogalyana and Ananda respectively. It portrays peace and harmony, and communicates mutual respect especially respect for the elderly.
Reading level: 4-8 years. 28 pages.