I have forgotten how long ago I first read the Anzu books by Benson Shum. But I had read something else of theirs recently and wanted to go back and read some of the other titles to see if they were as good as I remembered them. And while the second book Anzu the Great Kaiju V02 Anzu the Great Listener was as good, it did bring into question something from book one Anzu the Great Kaiju V01. Which was, if Anzu is a Kaiju, and they are supposed to terrorize their village, why was there another good Kaiju in this second book?
The stories of the Shum books are a sweet lesson. In the first book, you learn to be yourself (Anzu has the magic of making such things as flowers and seeds, and good things to help people and make them happy, not bringing thunder or sadness like the rest of his family) and the second book tells us to be a listener to help people get what they need, not what you think they need/what you think would help them. Plus, also to step back and take the time to breathe.
Now, I never did get the answer to why there was a Kaiju that was good to the village that Anzu finds in second book, but it did not matter, as I said, the message was to be a good listener and to breathe. But I did find out information about bonsai trees (are they trees? or do you just say, about bonsai?) This book has an extra at the end giving some age-appropriate information.
And the ages are probably five/six to listen and to start reading with help. Then it could go to about a lower eight-year-old, or still a read aloud. But know your audience. Especially since the artwork, also by Shum, can be a bit young looking. They are colorful, minimal details, sweet, at some overly cute-cute. So, as always, know your readers.
