The Snow Country Prince

by Daisaku Ikeda

Encouraged by the words of the Snow Country Prince, Mariko and Kazuo nurse an injured swan back to health during the long winter.

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Daisaku Ikeda was a Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, educator, author and poet. He was the third president of the Soka Gakkai lay Buddhist organization and the founding president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), which is today one of the world's largest and most diverse lay Buddhist organizations, promoting a philosophy of character development and social engagement for peace.

Ikeda was the founder of the Soka (value-creation) schools, a nondenominational school system based on an ideal of fostering each student's unique creative potential and cultivating an ethic of peace, social contribution and global consciousness. The school system runs from kindergarten through graduate study and includes a university in Tokyo, Japan, and another in California, U.S.A.

Ikeda was a staunch proponent of dialogue as the foundation of peace. Since the 1970s he has pursued dialogue with a wide range of individuals around the world in political, cultural, educational and academic fields. Over 50 of these have been published in book form, with people such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Elise Boulding, Joseph Rotblat and André Malraux. In furtherance of his vision of fostering dialogue and solidarity for peace, Ikeda has founded a number of independent, nonprofit research institutes that develop cross-cultural, interdisciplinary collaboration on diverse issues: the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century, the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research and the Institute of Oriental Philosophy. The Min-On Concert Association and the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum promote mutual understanding and friendship between different national cultures through the arts.

Ikeda was a prolific writer who has published more than 100 works, ranging from Buddhist philosophy to biographical essays, poetry, children's stories and photographic collections.

Reviews

[Sofia Brito · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Winter person myself and a soon love with Scandinavian and Canadian lifestyle, I really enjoyed this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

To me it somehow seemed flat, workmanlike. Or maybe, as I come out of a wicked winter myself, I'm not ready to read of the challenges these characters faced. Or maybe I don't care for Wildsmith's art after all (we'll see as I read the stack of his books that I borrowed today). I particularly did not care for the depiction of the wolves, but it was only one sentence. And I would like an author's note explaining whether it's true the swans winter in a spot that is so inhospitable, and why they do.

[Meghann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how long I've had this book, but I finally read it. I love the art, but the story is so-so. As I am doing a weeding of my book collection, this one isn't going to make it. Sorry book. Hopefully, you'll find a home with someone that loves you more.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the winter in Snow Country, a fisherman must beach his boat and look for work inland. Mariko and Kazuo dread seeing their father leave. Each winter the swans come to live in the reeds near the children's home. This winter is the coldest anyone can remember. Ice forms in the rushes and the swans have trouble finding food. Each day Mariko and Kazuo sprinkle corn for the swans. One night the Snow Country Prince appears at their bedroom window and thanks them for their help. He tells them to never give up. After this the chore of feeding the swans is easy and light. They find a swan hurt by wolves and care for it. Then a letter comes telling that their father is hurt. Now Mariko and Kazuo must say goodbye to their mother. Each day they are apart from their parents the children care for the swans and draw pictures of them. They send their pictures with letters to their father. When warm weather returns the children must face one more goodbye. The swans, including the injured one they cared for, fly away. Luckily mother and father return soon after the swans leave. Snow Country Prince also returns. Mariko and Kazuo mistake his spring robes for blossoms and his words for the spring wind.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Steve Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Keeper !! Fantastic !