Sky Sweeper

by Phillis Gershator, Holly Meade (Illustrator)

Young Takeboki needs a job and the monks in the temple need a flower keeper - so Takeboki sets to work, sweeping up flowers and leaves and creating swirling miniature worlds of his own in the temple garden. As the years go by, others ask him: Don't you want a better job? But as the seasons shift, each as beautiful as the last, Takeboki knows the pleasures of nature and of humbly doing a job well. He is happy.
 
Luminous collage illustrations created from delicate Japanese papers by a Caldecott Honor artist bring to life this thought-provoking tale that, with its Zen Buddhist sensibility, has much to say about work, wisdom, and the joy of being true to oneself.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Japan, Gardening, Fiction, Asia

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2007

Reviews

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This makes it sound so easy to enjoy your job

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story of faithful and unassuming service for a lifetime.

It's not too surprising that when the Flower Keeper goes to his Reward, it’s not to a hammock and relaxation.

But to ask “What shall I do now?”

He wants to make a difference There too.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Hush, this book is beautifully illustrated by Holly Meade. Takeboki tends a Japanese garden from season to season from childhood to death. "The monks need a temple, the flower needs a garden,m and the garden needs a Flower Keeper." This graciously illustrates that simple, honest work has value and brings fulfillment.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about a man who cherishes his humble job as a flower sweeper in a temple garden. Gorgeous writing, lovely illustrations, and a priceless tale about joyful contentment in simple things that cost nothing.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Service is one of the greatest ways to grow spiritually and emotionally, so it's no wonder that I loved "Sky Sweeper." It's a book about giving faithful service, day in and day out.

And the ending is just magnificent, surprising and magnificent.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

The main character, Takeboki, reminds me of many people I met during my 13 trips to Japan, teaching workshops for VOICE. Service is a beautiful tradition in Japan.

One example: A taxi driver drove me back to my condo. This was before GPS was available, so even finding the place was very difficult. That driver and I arrived at the top of a steep hill. We could clearly see the entrance to my building, all the way at the bottom of that hill.

It was a curvy street, and very narrow, just one lane. This was a one-way street, too, facing the wrong direction. I offered to get out and simply walk down the hill on my own. But the taxi driver insisted.

Slowly he backed down that curvy road, not stopping until he had delivered me right to my door.

Talk about service! Btw, Japanese taxi drivers did not receive tips. I will never forget this driver's dedication, courage, and commitment to being of service.

[Audrey's Picture Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. It is poetically written and in general a beautiful tribute to the dignity of labor and the principle of mindfulness. However, I question its kid appeal. It strikes me as the kind of book that adults want children to like, rather than the kind of book children actually like.

Moreover, it set off some cultural appropriation alarm bells in my mind. The story is told as if it were a Japanese folk tale--but it's not a Japanese folk tale. This makes me wonder if the book is an accurate portrayal of the ideas it deals with. I'm not saying it IS inaccurate. I'm not a Buddhist, and, for all I know, Phillis Gershator is. All I'm saying is that I don't think anyone should take it for granted that this book is accurate. I'd take the precaution of running it by a local Buddhist spiritual leader, before using it to educate children.

[Makenna Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It shows that every job is important and just because people make judgements, does not mean that you cannot be happy. A boy starts out as a flower keeper in a garden and goes his whole life as a flower keeper of the same garden. He is scrutinized for remaining in his job by many people and his hard work goes unrecognized. It ends with Takeboki sweeping the sky. I really enjoyed what this book teaches and the displays of Buddhism and Japanese culture.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book.

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a young boy, Takeboki seeks and finds a job. He becomes the flower keeper at the temple. Despite the urgings of his friends and family to find a better job, Takeboki keeps on keeping (and sweeping) the flowers. He knows his own importance. AS an old man, he becomes the sky sweeper.

What I thought: A lovely story with beautiful illustrations. Meade really captured the Japanese setting with her collages. The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Bridges and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo would be a good book to pair with Sky Sweeper.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be used for an example of a bodhisattva who is dedicated to keeping a vow. Focused purpose, single-minded purpose even in the face of distractions, and finding the whole universe in that purpose.

The sweeper considers other paths in life, but he always remembers that a sweeper is needed for the monastery garden, and he keeps choosing that. His dedication and care are overlooked until he is no longer able to take care of the garden as he did.

[Terina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this with a group of 6 to 10 year olds for Peace Camp. They loved the illustrations and the story. It led to discussion about Dayenu (it would have been enough for us), the importance of every role, being courageous about resisting peer pressure, being true to yourself, modern Zen Gardens, and probably more that I'm forgetting right now. We followed the story with each child making a personal Zen Garden.

[Rebecca Brandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book allows readers to see that small things can make a difference. Small things that people do may seem pointless, but in the end the small things can make a significant impact. The reader can also learn to appreciate and say thank you to people.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the garden sweeper in a Buddhist monastery. This book teaches about being humble and useful. This introduces students to the values of Buddhism. I would feel comfortable using this in an elementary classroom.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

a story about contentment in simplicity

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple, sweet book about the simplicity of a life doing what you love.
I picked it for the Buddhist aspect of the story for our homeschool.

spoiler....




The main character does pass away so if your children are really sensitive to that you may need to be aware. It is handled well, though.