This book is gorgeous. I love the story of Kuan Yin. She’s so fascinating. Whenever I see books on her I have to grab them. This did not disappoint.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This luminous picture book is the story of Kuan Yin, one of the most revered deities in Buddhism, the goddess of compassion. Kuan Yin feels love for all beings but her father, the king, would like her to marry to strengthen his kingdom. Kuan Yin refuses, instead choosing to join a nunnery. Eventually, her choices lead her to become a goddess. It's a lovely story and the art work is absolutely beautiful. Don't miss this one.

The story makes for a beautiful and compassionate book. I didn’t know much about Kuan Yin’s origin story, and this is such a good book to introduce to younger audiences about one of the most well-known bodhisattvas in Chinese culture. The language seems a bit complicated for self-reading among the younger population but can be used as a read-aloud in the classroom, to introduce diverse characters and themes. Kuan Yin’s path to understanding the suffering of the world, and being able to help ease pain and bring comfort is rarely seen in children’s books, so I appreciate the book touching on the theme. It can be used in an older generation classroom as well due to help students understand concepts of empathy and caring. I love the friendship and especially the sister-love between the two characters in the story. Their bond is beautiful and the way Kuan Yi’s heart and warmth towards humanity is heartfelt in this illustrated, delightful story.

Thank you Netgalley and Shambhala Publications, Inc. for access to this arc.

I’ll be honest and admit that it was the gorgeous cover that made me want to read this book. But while reading it, I learned the Chinese origin story of Kuan Yin who chose another path than traditional marriage, endured trials on her way to enlightenment, and who gave up leaving for the divine realms vowing to stay and help free all sentient beings from suffering. The illustrations are just magnificent, based on artwork of the Tang Dynasty. I think the story can help children learn the value of treating everyone with kindness, compassion, and love. A


Review to be posted online closer to the release date.

Wow, these illustrations are perfect, and amazing. Caldecott - you better be looking at this book. And the story. It is not one I had heard before. It’s about the deity Kuan Yin, and how she comes to be. She is found in many traditions and stories, and this is just one, but it is so lovely.

Beautiful artwork lift up this version of the story behind Kuan Yin. The story uses her sister's viewpoint which makes for an interesting view of the story. I'm not familiar with all versions of Kuan Yin but this work seems to be respectful and wonderfully done. The artwork is fluid and just beautiful.

This picture book is a fairytale-like retelling of the Chinese version of a traditional Buddhist myth about the goddess of kindness and compassion, Kuan Yin. The story features universal fairytale characters such as the harsh king and father who tries to force his beautiful and virtuous daughter into marriage. The beautiful princess in this case is a serene lover and tamer of wild animals who prefers entering a Buddhist convent to serve all creatures with compassion and love. Her father punishes her by inciting the nuns to treat her cruelly and the story depicts her suffering and eventual triumph over evil and the transformation of her father who comes to realize how he has wronged her. The story is told in a simply and gently and the illustrations are dreamy and subtly colored in washes of pastels. The relationship between the princess Miao Shan and her little sister Ling is touching and the values of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness shine through the simple text.

Kuan Yin: The Princess Who Became the Goddess of Compassion (Hardcover)
by Maya van der Meer
Masterfully done, this books artwork influenced by Chinese art works of history is amazing. The story of Kuan yin, is the remarkable story of belief and perseverance. Two sisters find that their love connects them and brings more truth than just blindly following the traditions of their culture. The spiritual nature of Kuan Yin is inspiring because she gives up everything for love, not of a single person but of everyone.

This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of the Buddhist goddess of compassion who is often known as Kuan Yin. However, we are introduced to her as Princess Miao Shan, the older sister of the protagonist, Princess Ling. Miao Shan refuses to marry like her father the king wants her to; instead, she feels called to help the poor, care for the sick, and encourage everyone to love others with compassion and forgiveness.

The illustrations captured my breath throughout the story. The author's note at the end says "the artwork is inspired by the Tang Dynasty and depicts clothing styles from across the Silk Road." I love this piece of inclusionist history. In fact, if you aren't familiar with Kuan Yin's story, I highly recommend you /start/ with the author's note, and then read the story. It may help to bridge the lack of prior knowledge that young readers/listeners may have if they, too, are unfamiliar with this Chinese Buddhist story.

Kuan Yin: The Princess Who Became the Goddess of Compassion by Maya van Der Meer is one truly mesmerizing and miraculous story.

I really enjoy this picture book. It brings forth a Buddhist Goddess that I had never heard of before. The story itself is fantastical and intriguing, and I am very fortunate that I had the opportunity to pick it up. I hope more readers find books like this because it will open your eyes up to other stories of religion and myths. The illustrations alone are also incredibly beautiful and am just see.

This story could easily be enjoyed by readers aged 6 and up.

Five out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGlaley, Bala Kids and Shambhala Publications Inc. for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

This is a beautifully illustrated modern retelling of Kuan Yin. A great gift for girls who love princesses but a story that deviates from the typical princess narrative. It's a book that tells girls their best gift is not their romantic success but their compassion and love for others.

This book is gorgeous. I just loved the illustrations. The relationships between the sisters was heartwarming. I think this would work well as a readaloud book.

This is a very cute story of two sisters and their love for each other, based off of the Chinese Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion. Kuan Yin is the Chinese rendition of the Avalokiteśvara in Buddhism, as the bodhisattva is often depicted as different genders depending on the country and folktale.

I thought this was cute story on love and compassion, and the illustrations were quite lovely.

I do wish there was an author introduction in the back, because I always wonder what makes a white author want to write a story of characters and folklore from a different country than their own. Did they do their research? Did they depict the characters accurately? Could an own voices author have written the same?

Anyways, this is not against the book, but it does make me curious. Otherwise, the story was enjoyable.

What a beautiful story! The artwork was absolutely stunning; every page could be framed and hung on the wall for admiration. Stories about the bond between sisters always get me, and I loved the emphasis on needing to be kind to others and compassionate to all living things.

Beautifully illustrated retelling of Miao Shan, a Buddhist saint/god (depending on the translation) of compassion. Her human life and revelation as a holy woman are told in this story from the perspective of her adoring younger sister.

With beautiful illustrations and a readable version of a multi-cultural story, Kuan Yin by Maya van der Meer ushers readers on a journey to ancient China. Based on the legend of Kuan Yin, a Chinese legend about the goddess of compassion, the author tells this beautiful story from the perspective of her younger sister Ling. Looking through a child's eyes this version gives life to an ancient story and is a book worth adding to your children's bookshelf.

This is an enchanting fairytale about Kuan Yin, whose name means "one who hears the cries of the world," a Buddhist saint. Princess Miao-Shan is not your typical princess. She likes to spend her time quietly meditating with the creatures of the forest or having adventures with dragons and tigers. Her father would rather she marry and be a responsible princess. With the help of her sister Ling, Miao-Shan escapes and begins her journey to discover the true meaning of compassion ultimately becoming Kuan Yin! There’s so much adventure, trust, and passion shown throughout the story, it’s perfect for a Disney adaptation! The illustrations by Wen Hsu are beautiful. Thank you to the author, Bala Kids, and NetGalley for an ebook arc. This is my honest review.