In this uplifting book, a dragon introduces children to the Buddhist deity Tara and the unique qualities of some of her many forms. First, he shares her origin story: When the Buddha of Compassion saw the extent of the suffering in the universe, he wept. From the pool of tears at his feet, the dragon explains, "a lotus flower grew, and the petals slowly opened to reveal Tara, her right foot poised to spring into action. She came to join him on his mission to help all suffering beings, and her special vow was to always do so in a female form."
Needing multiple bodies in order to help as many beings as possible, Tara became capable of assuming different forms, each associated with a color. The dragon explains these in a way that comforts and supports children, for instance:
"Vibrant Blue Taras help clear challenging emotions like confusion and hatred, sometimes even before they appear to create suffering. Blue Taras might look stern, but their eyes radiate great kindness and empathy. They can help prevent accidents, natural disasters, and fighting."
Along with each depiction of Tara — for instance, a Radiant Red Tara dancing on one foot with a bow and arrow — is a child holding a medallion with Her image and manifesting Her qualities in their own young-body, ageless-soul way.
An Author's Note points out that "We can all be like Tara!" It invites children to learn her mantra and gives instructions for repeating it while imagining Tara's qualities melting into them. For readers ages four to nine, this book is a sacred text that can be life altering: building courage, confidence, and compassion.
