"In a war-torn world filled with images of ""violence,"" Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers young readers reassurance and a reminder that peace can be found through empathy. Based on a talk given directly to ""children,"" this timely book uses the image of a cat and a mouse and their smiling friend the Coconut Monk as metaphors for overcoming seemingly unconquerable divisions. Teaching ""equanimity,"" ""compassion,"" and ""perseverance,"" the book includes full-color oil paintings by Vietnamese-American painter Vo-Dinh Mai that further enhance the message."