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Squabbling Squashes

Illustrated by Minette Mangahas
Published by Wisdom Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

A Zen Buddhist story for all ages on how to cultivate harmony amid our differences.

A story for children of all ages about interconnection and learning to live in harmony amid differences, from a leading light of contemporary Zen—based on a parable from Kosho Uchiyama’s classic bestseller Opening the Hand of Thought.

"[Squabbling Squashes] offers a teaching which is perfectly suited for the heart of a child and yet merits a lifetime of careful tending and cultivation. A gorgeous, colorful picture book . . . this read is equally light and profound." —Lion's Roar

About The Authors

Carol Lingman is a Zen practitioner and retired editor, living in Sonoma County, California, where she practices East Asian calligraphy and the Feldenkrais Method. She has written and edited many educational, environmental, and movement studies publications for adults. This is her first children’s book.

Shohaku Okumura is abbot of Sanshin Zen Community in Bloomington, Indiana. He is the author of many books on Zen Buddhism and continues to lead intensive meditation retreats at Sanshin-ji and other centers in the United States and around the world.

About The Illustrator

Minette Mangahas is an artist and designer whose calligraphy-inspired work has been featured internationally. When not illustrating squashes, she’s eating them.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Wisdom Publications (June 22, 2021)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781614296928
  • Grades: P - 2
  • Ages: 3 - 7

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Raves and Reviews

"An essential teaching for all children, told with delightful, relatable warmth."

– Sumi Loundon Kim, author Sitting Together: A Family-Centered Curriculum on Mindfulness, Meditation, and Buddhist Teachings

“Squabbling Squashes is a delight from start to finish, both funny and wise. The illustrations are so warm and inviting that children of all ages will want to step into the scenes and sit with the squashes. And then it’s easy to take in the gentle point of this classic story of the deep connections among us all.”

– Jisho Warner, Soto Zen priest and guiding teacher of Stone Creek Zen Center

“Super enjoyable to hear, read, and savor for people of all ages, Squabbling Squashes helps our future generations to be aware of a universal mutual tie in society and nature.”

– Kazuaki Tanahashi, author of Painting Peace: Art in a Time of Global Crisis

“This sweetly illustrated parable of the squashes beautifully reveals that we are simultaneously wondrously different and intimately connected. A deeply meaningful story that children and their parents will repeatedly delight in.”

– James V. Cordova, PhD, author of The Marriage Checkup and The Story of Mu

“An ancient tale cultivating mindfulness today.”

– Lauen Alderfer, author of Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda

“[In Squabbling Squashes, Carol Lingman] offers a teaching which is perfectly suited for the heart of a child and yet merits a lifetime of careful tending and cultivation. A gorgeous, colorful picture book illustrated by calligraphist Minette Mangahas, this read is equally light and profound.”

– Bonnie Nadzam, Lion's Roar

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