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Anzu the Great Listener

By Benson Shum
Series: Anzu the Great Kaiju
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Anzu the Great Listener follows Anzu, a gentle kaiju who finds peace in tending his bonsai tree. Whenever overwhelmed, he pauses to breathe and centre himself. One day, Anzu hears someone crying and uses the cheerful power of his blossoming bonsai to bring smiles and comfort. But when the flowers lose their magic and seem to hurt instead of help, Anzu must recall the lessons of patience, empathy, and attentive listening he learned from his tree.
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Format: Hardback
$3799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This uplifting and thoughtfully illustrated story is ideal for children and families seeking gentle lessons in empathy, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Walt Disney Studios animator Benson Shum reintroduces readers to Anzu the Kaiju and shares a powerful lesson about patience, empathy, and what helping really looks like.

Walt Disney Studios animator Benson Shum reintroduces readers to Anzu the Kaiju and shares a powerful lesson about patience, empathy, and what helping really looks like.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Anzu the Great Listener by Benson Shum introduces Anzu, a kaiju who finds peace in tending to his bonsai. Whenever he feels overwhelmed or unsettled, caring for his bonsai helps him pause and reminds him to just... breathe.

One day, when Anzu hears crying in the distance, he's eager to help! The flower-power that makes his bonsai bloom has a way of making others smile. However, when Anzu's flowers seem to lose their power, causing more harm than good, he finds himself wondering where to turn.

It is then that Anzu recalls valuable lessons learned from his bonsai tree. In Anzu the Great Listener, creator and Walt Disney Studios animator Benson Shum illustrates the importance of patience, empathy, and above all, taking the time to listen.

Series: Anzu the Great Kaiju

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  • Anzu the Great Listener
    Anzu the Great Listener
    Anzu the Great Listener by Benson Shum introduces Anzu, a kaiju who finds peace in tending to his bonsai. Whenever he feels overwhelmed or unsettled, caring for his bonsai helps him pause and reminds him to just... breathe. One day, when Anzu hears crying in the distance, he's eager to help! The flower-power that makes his bonsai bloom has a...
    By Benson Shum
    Hardback
    $3799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Kirkus Reviews praises the book's "serene tone and simply delivered lesson," highlighting its message that help should be offered with respect. Booklist calls it a "beautiful, simple story about listening, feelings, healing, and empathy." Dan Santat, Caldecott medalist, describes it as "a heartwarming story of acceptance and strength." School Library Journal gave a starred review, celebrating its joyful, loving monster heroine. The Horn Book Magazine notes the book’s integration of Japanese culture and charming storytelling, describing it as "more sweet than scary" and "heartwarming."

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781250776136

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 10 January 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: St Martin's Press

Illustration: full-color illustrations throughout; poster on back of jkt

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Benson Shum
  • Illustrated by Benson Shum

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 230.0mm

Height: 290.0mm

Weight: 379g

Pages: 40

Collections

Benson Shum Children's Books Children's Picture Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Series: Anzu the Great Kaiju

About the Author

Benson Shum is a children's book author and illustrator who has illustrated a number of picture books including his debut Anzu the Great Kaiju, Adam Lehrhaupt's Sloth Went, and Jennifer Sattler's Go to Sheep. Benson is also an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he has been a part of such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen 2, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Encanto. Originally from Vancouver, BC, Benson lives in sunny Southern California.

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