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Zen Pencils--Inspirational Quotes for Kids
Now for kids! Based on the adult New York Time s Bestseller, Zen Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks , this special editon for children will inspire them to reach for the stars!
Explorers like Amelia Earhart and Chris Hadfield. Pioneers like Marie Curie and Margaret E. Knight. Modern icons like John Green and the Dalai Lama.
These are only a few of the trailblazers you’ll meet in this collection of cartoons and quotes. Let their words of wisdom lead you to greatness, reflection, and discovery. Each inspiring quote is transformed into a compelling story that unfolds before your eyes. Follow the illustrated adventures of dragon slayers, warrior monks, ballet dancers, and professional wrestlers—all while hearing from some of the great voices of our past and present.
Now for kids! Based on the adult New York Times bestseller, this special edition for children will inspire them to reach for the stars.
Explorers like Amelia Earhart and Chris Hadfield. Pioneers like Marie Curie and Margaret E. Knight. Modern icons like John Green and the Dalai Lama.
These are only a few of the trailblazers you’ll meet in this collection of cartoons and quotes. Let their words of wisdom lead you to greatness, reflection, and discovery. Each inspiring quote is transformed into a compelling story that unfolds before your eyes. Follow the illustrated adventures of dragon slayers, warrior monks, ballet dancers, and professional wrestlers—all while hearing from some of the great voices of our past and present.
Now for kids! Based on the adult New York Times bestseller, this special edition for children will inspire them to reach for the stars.
128 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2017
7 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Gavin Aung Than
23 books107 followersGavin Aung Than is a freelance cartoonist based in Melbourne, Australia. After working in the corporate graphic design industry for 8 years he quit his unfulfilling job at the end of 2011 to focus on his true passion, drawing cartoons. Gavin launched Zen Pencils at the start of 2012, a cartoon blog which adapts inspirational quotes into comic stories, and hasn’t looked back since.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 15, 2018
Praises for Gavin Aung Than and his publisher Andrews McMeel for coming up with this graphic novel that contains 23 inspirational quotes from some of the notable personalities, such as
Winston Churchill
and
Confucius
. The supporting illustrations drawn by the author himself were quite appealing that will undeniably pleased both young and adult readers.
In this book, one of the remarkable quotes for me is by Howard Thurman , "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." The accompanying story and artwork for this quote is absolutely appropriate; as it depicts how we usually forget about our dream because our parents dictates what we should become. There are other issues addressed in this graphic novel, such as hatred, bullying, and racial differences, to name a few.
I'm hoping that the author will release a second volume of this; because I believe that there are a lot more uplifting quotes that were not included in this book. Kids really need this kind of book — to inspire them and boost their morale — especially now in this chaotic times. I don't have any unpleasant remarks for this book, only satisfactory and delightful compliments.
In this book, one of the remarkable quotes for me is by Howard Thurman , "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." The accompanying story and artwork for this quote is absolutely appropriate; as it depicts how we usually forget about our dream because our parents dictates what we should become. There are other issues addressed in this graphic novel, such as hatred, bullying, and racial differences, to name a few.
I'm hoping that the author will release a second volume of this; because I believe that there are a lot more uplifting quotes that were not included in this book. Kids really need this kind of book — to inspire them and boost their morale — especially now in this chaotic times. I don't have any unpleasant remarks for this book, only satisfactory and delightful compliments.
May 10, 2021
Quotes/Anecdotes from famous people are turned into short comic book stories spanning anywhere from 1-11 pages long.
E.g. Seneca's "all cruelty springs from weakness" is turned into a short story in which you discover that a ferocious demon's bullying behaviour is due to insecurity over his ugly looks, and you realise that we should not be so quick to judge, as there sometimes may be a sad reason behind why someone acts the way they do, and by understanding the underlying reason behind their behaviour, we can empathise with their actions and perhaps help them correct it.
Not all the stories were as good as this one though. Some were a bit contrived, or else the anecdotes used weren't really inspirational to begin with. I wish a better selection of quotes had been used.
E.g. Seneca's "all cruelty springs from weakness" is turned into a short story in which you discover that a ferocious demon's bullying behaviour is due to insecurity over his ugly looks, and you realise that we should not be so quick to judge, as there sometimes may be a sad reason behind why someone acts the way they do, and by understanding the underlying reason behind their behaviour, we can empathise with their actions and perhaps help them correct it.
Not all the stories were as good as this one though. Some were a bit contrived, or else the anecdotes used weren't really inspirational to begin with. I wish a better selection of quotes had been used.
September 18, 2017
This book is a collection of quotes from famous people about doing your best, being yourself, striving for greatness, never giving up, and keeping positive no matter the obstacles. Each quote is illustrated with a short comic that tells a little story which portrays the concept of the quote.
I really enjoyed reading this book! The quotes are uplifting and there's a lot of good wisdom in this book. The comics are beautifully drawn with vibrant colors, and some of the characters from the first comics reappear in other comics at the end, so there's a sense of continuity and overall structure.
I was a little surprised that many of the comics are violent, depicting knights killing dragons, wrestlers taking down opponents in the ring, and even a Buddhist monk fighting a monster/demon. I thought that many of the quotes NEEDED a certain amount of violence to mirror the "fight for the right" message of the quote, and I enjoyed seeing those evil dragons taken down. (When you're quoting Winston Churchill, you probably need to show a fight of some kind. And that's good!) But there were just a LOT of them.
Couldn't some of the quotes about courage and tenacity have shown someone helping the elderly, feeding the homeless, tutoring a child, overcoming a bad habit, or taking a meal to a sick person? Courage encompasses many different things, not just battling dragons and demons.
The subject material for the comics felt a little one-sided, and all that violence is not very "zen".
The quotes themselves are from wonderful role-models with lots of wisdom to give the world, and each one really makes you stop and think about how you can apply that knowledge to your life. I enjoyed it immensely!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
I really enjoyed reading this book! The quotes are uplifting and there's a lot of good wisdom in this book. The comics are beautifully drawn with vibrant colors, and some of the characters from the first comics reappear in other comics at the end, so there's a sense of continuity and overall structure.
I was a little surprised that many of the comics are violent, depicting knights killing dragons, wrestlers taking down opponents in the ring, and even a Buddhist monk fighting a monster/demon. I thought that many of the quotes NEEDED a certain amount of violence to mirror the "fight for the right" message of the quote, and I enjoyed seeing those evil dragons taken down. (When you're quoting Winston Churchill, you probably need to show a fight of some kind. And that's good!) But there were just a LOT of them.
Couldn't some of the quotes about courage and tenacity have shown someone helping the elderly, feeding the homeless, tutoring a child, overcoming a bad habit, or taking a meal to a sick person? Courage encompasses many different things, not just battling dragons and demons.
The subject material for the comics felt a little one-sided, and all that violence is not very "zen".
The quotes themselves are from wonderful role-models with lots of wisdom to give the world, and each one really makes you stop and think about how you can apply that knowledge to your life. I enjoyed it immensely!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
November 18, 2017
I love inspirational quote books, but this book went above and beyond. Putting inspirational quotes into comic book style thumbnails was genius! I loved this book and it's approach. I think that the way this book is laid out makes the idea of quotes more accessible, interesting and fun for children. I can see many readers enjoying this book.
January 8, 2018
A gathering of inspiration quotes from notable people around the world and across time. It is a quick and easy read that can appeal to all kinds of readers, especially reluctant ones. The graphics add humor and allow readers to understand a message within the quotes. Educators can utilize the quotes to begin discussions and debates and encourage young readers to be the power that makes a positive change. I believe that readers, who enjoy 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Brown’s Book of Precepts, will like this book.
Recommended for grades 2-5. Lexile Level: NA
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Recommended for grades 2-5. Lexile Level: NA
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
April 26, 2025
Not sure why it's "for kids". This was adult worthy stuff!
August 3, 2017
If you don't follow Gavin Aung Than on social media or subscribe to his website, you need to start right now. I was so psyched to see he had put together a collection of quotes-made-comics for KIDS.
February 26, 2018
While Gavin Aung Than is a talented artist whose unique blog, Zen Pencils, is well appreciated by adults, his newest endeavor, Zen Pencils - Inspirational Quotes for Kids misses the mark. While I appreciated most of the individuals Than chose to highlight, I question his choice of quotations. There are so many memorable sayings which are noteworthy, that I wonder why he chose to use such little known excerpts. If only they all were of the same quality as the one cited from the Chinese Philosopher, Confucius - "Choose a job you love and you'll never work a day of your life.".
Many of the comic book "stories" created to go along with each specific recitation feature fantasy with monsters and magic including some ad hoc super heroes, a take off on Batman and Robin (Pigeon) and their nemesis the Joker (Jester), as well as knights rescuing maidens from threatening dragons. The struggles of Rising Phoenix, a woman wrestler, is highlighted in several of the comic sequences. These tales were used to explain the various statements of famous individuals such as Teddy Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Robert F Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Jack London, Amelia Earhart, and Marie Curie. Additional sayings were from more obscure names including Radindranath Tagore Bengali - a writer, musician, and painter, authors Rebecca Martin and John Green, Howard Thurman - an African American civil rights leader, Chris Hadfeld - a Canadian astronaut who lived in the space station, Seneca - the young Ancient Roman philosopher, Sir Ken Robinson - an authority on education, and Adlai Lama.
The colorful illustrations are thought provoking despite the often violent content which make them questionable for an audience which includes a younger crowd, although adults and older teens might appreciate the author's sentiments. Perhaps this would be a good book for parents to read (and explain) to their children, but I'd be inclined to skip this one.
A generous three stars and a thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Many of the comic book "stories" created to go along with each specific recitation feature fantasy with monsters and magic including some ad hoc super heroes, a take off on Batman and Robin (Pigeon) and their nemesis the Joker (Jester), as well as knights rescuing maidens from threatening dragons. The struggles of Rising Phoenix, a woman wrestler, is highlighted in several of the comic sequences. These tales were used to explain the various statements of famous individuals such as Teddy Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Robert F Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Jack London, Amelia Earhart, and Marie Curie. Additional sayings were from more obscure names including Radindranath Tagore Bengali - a writer, musician, and painter, authors Rebecca Martin and John Green, Howard Thurman - an African American civil rights leader, Chris Hadfeld - a Canadian astronaut who lived in the space station, Seneca - the young Ancient Roman philosopher, Sir Ken Robinson - an authority on education, and Adlai Lama.
The colorful illustrations are thought provoking despite the often violent content which make them questionable for an audience which includes a younger crowd, although adults and older teens might appreciate the author's sentiments. Perhaps this would be a good book for parents to read (and explain) to their children, but I'd be inclined to skip this one.
A generous three stars and a thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2018
This cartoon offering is very different from my usual read. I don’t read too many cartoon style books and I thought this would be fun. It is fun with the author sharing some great quotes with unique and wonderful illustrations. My favorites were The Two Wolves, To Love at All (C.S. Lewis) and Invictus-- a Tribute to Nelson Mandela. All three of these are favorite quotes or poems of mine so it’s not surprising I liked them. I liked how Mr. Than matched the images to the literary works.
There are many other inspirational pieces with unique comic strips expressing emotions for each piece. The only thing that troubled me was some of the illustrations have very angry faces. We have enough terrible rage and mean-spiritedness in the world. I can appreciate the emotional intensity but I don’t think the terrible anger expressed is suitable for young people or a book promoting “zen”. I guess I have always associated “zen” with calm and peace although it is more accurately a focus of togetherness of mind and body in tune with natural intuition. Apparently the anger aspects did not bother other reviewers.
I read this on my tablet so I could experience the color comics. The set up allows expanding individual frames which I found interesting. I think the book might work even better in print but it worked fine on tablet too. Except for the anger emotions, I would recommend this as a unique presentation of inspiring words.
Source: NetGalley.
There are many other inspirational pieces with unique comic strips expressing emotions for each piece. The only thing that troubled me was some of the illustrations have very angry faces. We have enough terrible rage and mean-spiritedness in the world. I can appreciate the emotional intensity but I don’t think the terrible anger expressed is suitable for young people or a book promoting “zen”. I guess I have always associated “zen” with calm and peace although it is more accurately a focus of togetherness of mind and body in tune with natural intuition. Apparently the anger aspects did not bother other reviewers.
I read this on my tablet so I could experience the color comics. The set up allows expanding individual frames which I found interesting. I think the book might work even better in print but it worked fine on tablet too. Except for the anger emotions, I would recommend this as a unique presentation of inspiring words.
Source: NetGalley.
September 16, 2017
Big fan, read all the previous books, but I’m pretty sure this is the first time it’s been written with kids in mind. It’s still the same format: a short visual story set around a great person or a great quote. Some highlights:
If you ever wondered where the quote about “Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” comes from, it’s Confucius.
Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man In the Arena” has had a huge resurgence lately, from Dr. Brene Brown to Lindsey Stirling. Another popular one is the Native American legend of the Two Wolves.
Haven’t heard Jack London’s “Ashes or Dust” in a long time.
There’s a lot of superheroes in this.
The basketball girl crashing into the pink smiling monster is hilarious.
Robert Kennedy’s is pretty timely.
As much as I can’t stand Churchill, his was probably my fave.
In the end I didn’t feel like there was that much of a difference between this and the adult version; the stories felt the same. I suppose the artwork was geared more for kids, but this should be enjoyed by adults just as much.
If you ever wondered where the quote about “Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” comes from, it’s Confucius.
Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man In the Arena” has had a huge resurgence lately, from Dr. Brene Brown to Lindsey Stirling. Another popular one is the Native American legend of the Two Wolves.
Haven’t heard Jack London’s “Ashes or Dust” in a long time.
There’s a lot of superheroes in this.
The basketball girl crashing into the pink smiling monster is hilarious.
Robert Kennedy’s is pretty timely.
As much as I can’t stand Churchill, his was probably my fave.
In the end I didn’t feel like there was that much of a difference between this and the adult version; the stories felt the same. I suppose the artwork was geared more for kids, but this should be enjoyed by adults just as much.
October 15, 2019
'Zen Pencils: Inspirational Quotes for Kids' by Gavin Aung Than is a collection of famous quotes that have been illustrated.
As in the other Zen Pencils collection, the artist takes famous sayings and illustrates them in interesting ways. So for the armed forces motto, we see a warrior training for battle, then heading in the mountains to fight a monster. Theodore Roosevelt's quote is about a man watching tv, and the man he's watching actually climbing a mountain.
These are some good quotes, but kids might be a bit young of a description as some of these quotes would probably be a bit beyond an 8 or 9 year old. Regardless, this is an inspiring collection of quotes, and I really like how this artist transforms these sayings.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
As in the other Zen Pencils collection, the artist takes famous sayings and illustrates them in interesting ways. So for the armed forces motto, we see a warrior training for battle, then heading in the mountains to fight a monster. Theodore Roosevelt's quote is about a man watching tv, and the man he's watching actually climbing a mountain.
These are some good quotes, but kids might be a bit young of a description as some of these quotes would probably be a bit beyond an 8 or 9 year old. Regardless, this is an inspiring collection of quotes, and I really like how this artist transforms these sayings.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
October 3, 2020
Before I write about the book, a couple of things about why I started reading this book.
I have been a fan of Gavin's works for years now. His website - Zen Pencils is my go-to destination on the web when I feel down or need a jolt of inspiration.
I love his works for 2 reasons:
1. His comics have a nice feel to them. They make me feel like a child again.
2. Although each comic is short, hardly 3 to 4 pages long, the message is life-changing. There will be at least one quote that will cling to your heart, make you feel better, and urge you to become the person that you want to be.
This book, in particular, is created for children. It puts to rest the doubts, fears, and qualms they have while growing up. It is sure to inspire a child to dream for a good future where they can be happy doing what they love doing without the fear of being bogged down by society's expectations.
Gift this to your child or any other child you care for. They will thank you in the future.
I have been a fan of Gavin's works for years now. His website - Zen Pencils is my go-to destination on the web when I feel down or need a jolt of inspiration.
I love his works for 2 reasons:
1. His comics have a nice feel to them. They make me feel like a child again.
2. Although each comic is short, hardly 3 to 4 pages long, the message is life-changing. There will be at least one quote that will cling to your heart, make you feel better, and urge you to become the person that you want to be.
This book, in particular, is created for children. It puts to rest the doubts, fears, and qualms they have while growing up. It is sure to inspire a child to dream for a good future where they can be happy doing what they love doing without the fear of being bogged down by society's expectations.
Gift this to your child or any other child you care for. They will thank you in the future.
October 9, 2017
Inspirational quotes--and don't we all need a little bit of inspiration every day?--from various individuals are shared in this unique series of cartoons. The words are culled from sources as various as Confucius, Amelia Earhart, Sir Ken Robinson, and Henry David Thoreau. There's even some advice from popular YA writer John Green. While the words alone are sure to make readers think, the fact that the illustrator uses them as jumping off places to tell stories that exemplify the quotes makes the book accessible to a young audience. This is pretty nifty stuff, and a balm for the negativity that often seems to fill our world. The creator doesn't claim to have all the answers, but the book does make readers reflect on their own behavior and choices, something that more of us should do. After all, as it has been said, an unexamined life is not worth living.
August 17, 2017
This book is filled with inspirational quotes meant for children. After reading it, I feel that you shouldn't let the word "Kids" in the title dissuade you from reading it. I found myself taking the messages to heart as I read. There is an adult version of this, so if you really want to read something not geared towards kids, I would suggest that.
The illustrations were great and helped to bring a new layer to the quotes. They provide a story all on their own.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
Author: Gavin Aung Than
Publisher: Andrews McMeel
Publication Date: 17 Oct 2017
The illustrations were great and helped to bring a new layer to the quotes. They provide a story all on their own.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
Author: Gavin Aung Than
Publisher: Andrews McMeel
Publication Date: 17 Oct 2017
August 29, 2017
I got this from NetGalley. Thank you.
As the title indicates, this is a book full of motivational quotes from famous people (Churchill, Earhart, M. Curie, Roosevelt, as well as some modern speakers). They're not just one-liners, but small paragraphs illustrated with a short story. A boy persists until he beats a dragon, another until he dances ballet; a girl finds a friend where a monster was expected; a young woman gets inspired by a little fan. All that happens in the context of solid messages to discuss with kids. Good for adults as well.
The art has a wide range and, while there are some recurring characters, it is not repetitive and adds power to the ideas.
I recommend this.
As the title indicates, this is a book full of motivational quotes from famous people (Churchill, Earhart, M. Curie, Roosevelt, as well as some modern speakers). They're not just one-liners, but small paragraphs illustrated with a short story. A boy persists until he beats a dragon, another until he dances ballet; a girl finds a friend where a monster was expected; a young woman gets inspired by a little fan. All that happens in the context of solid messages to discuss with kids. Good for adults as well.
The art has a wide range and, while there are some recurring characters, it is not repetitive and adds power to the ideas.
I recommend this.
August 26, 2017
I like the idea behind this book, a whole heap of inspirational quotes in comic book form which are aimed at inspiring children to reach for the stars. There are plenty of quotes from well-known greats from history, which have been converted into short comic stories which give the quotes some context. Some of the strips have less text than other and require more thought and interpretation, whereas others are more obvious. Although this book is aimed at kids, I have certainly taken note of a few of the quotes here!
October 30, 2017
If you are unfamiliar with the Zen Pencil books, go to their website and see what they do! The graphic books (this as well as earlier publications) are inspiring. Some of the quotes are quite familiar, others not so much. Each quote is presented as a comic strip that illustrates the truth of the quote using pictures that set it into a time, a place, and with given characters in a story. While the quotes are great alone, seeing them this way adds a great depth and will give readers more to ponder.
January 16, 2018
This book illustrates some really wonderful quotes, and enhances them in two ways: (1) the cartoons assist in imagining the inspirational struggles; and (2) breaking up the quote into different cartoon panels paces it so that the entire quote is easier to digest and understand in its entirety. I particularly liked Calvin Coolidge's quote about persistence and determination. My students would enjoy this book!
I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2017
I had read a majority of these on Gavin Aung Than's website, zenpencils.com . I enjoyed this collection I feel like not all of these are truly for children, I think more so for the dying child inside of us grownups. However, I feel like there is a lot here for children, especially older children say grades 5th and up. I think stating "for kids" limits this book in a way that is unnecessary.
Some of my favorites weren't included, some this was the first time I had ever seen.
Overall Excellent way to use art as an medium to relate inspirational quotes to almost any age.
Some of my favorites weren't included, some this was the first time I had ever seen.
Overall Excellent way to use art as an medium to relate inspirational quotes to almost any age.
February 1, 2021
A collection of some of the most inspiring ones from Zen Pencils - uplifting and motivational. The reference to pop culture and recurring characters make the quotes more relatable. It's nice to have short introductions of people behind the quotes at the end of the book. My favourites are The Two Wolves and An Astronaut's Advice, the latter is by Chris Hadfield.
September 25, 2023
Some of the stories are also in Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks, so if you have read that book, this is going to be a little repetitive.
August 29, 2017
Clever comic-style approach to enhancing inspirational words from leaders, innovators, philosophers. Am certain any child or adult will find a comic-style story or quote that works from them in this collection.
September 12, 2017
***I received this title from Netgalley for an honest review***
This book is a mashup of inspiration quotes from famous people (mostly dead) and graphic novelization. I quite enjoyed this mashup and the way the author interpreted the quotes.
This book is a mashup of inspiration quotes from famous people (mostly dead) and graphic novelization. I quite enjoyed this mashup and the way the author interpreted the quotes.
August 14, 2017
Great comic stories created around famous quotes.
November 2, 2017
All of his cartoons are so amazing!
March 12, 2018
Just superb!!! Very inspirational!!!!!
September 27, 2018
This was so well done and would be such a great addition to a classroom library. So much a teacher could use by tying in the different quotes.
February 14, 2019
excellent book that can inspire children ..
April 12, 2019
This was awesome and definitely not just for kids. The creativity and clarity given to these quotes by Than's clever drawings was just plain fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews