Under the Bodhi Tree ― A Story of the Buddha

Who was the Buddha? Was he a prince, a god, a sage, a saint—or a person just like you and me?

Countless stories have been written about the Buddha, but few have been tailored for children. Now, Under the Bodhi Tree brings this ageless tale to life for young audiences. Tracing the life of the boy who was born Prince Siddhartha, Deborah Hopkinson weaves a lyrical biography of a child just like those reading the book—one who wonders at his place in the world, feels compassion for suffering, and wants to help in any way he can. As readers follow Siddhartha all the way to his fateful meditation beneath the branches of the Bodhi Tree, they’ll discover the story of how a child who dreams can one day grow up to reshape the whole world.

Featuring beautiful artwork by Kailey Whitman, Under the Bodhi Tree is perfect for readers ages 4–8 who are curious about real people who made history.

Deborah Hopkinson has a master's degree in Asian Studies from the University of Hawai?i at Manoa, where she studied the role of women in 13th-century Japanese Buddhism. She lived in Honolulu for 20 years and practiced Zen Buddhism with the late Roshi Robert Aitken, founder of the Diamond Sangha and Buddhist Peace Fellowship. She lives near Portland, Oregon, where she writes books for children and teens. For more, see deborahhopkinson.com.