Theosophical Books for a younger audience?

[Lenny]

I have a younger brother who's twelve years old and likes to read. I've talked to him about some of the things I've learned from Theosophy and what not and he finds the concepts very interesting, but all the books that I've read and own are too complicated and mature for him. Anyone know of any material that'd be more suitable for a kid his age? Are there theosophical writers who write lesson teaching novels? Thanks in advance.

[Konstantin Zaitzev]

In my opinion the best book for boys would be "From caves & jungles of Hindustan" by Blavatsky (I'm only not sure about English translations. The older one is correct as far it goes but covers only a half of the material; I've heard about a newer one but haven't seen it).
Among the "doctrinal" books the simplest probably is "Outline of theosophy" by Leadbeater. Also his "Invisible helpers" are very easy reading.

[Arthur E Gregory]

Finding a book for a younger brother should be based of course on his interests and so on but I've found that my children liked the Tolkien books and Harry Potter books as well..

I have one son that really liked reading mythology books such as The Children of Odin

See:

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/24737

The Jataka Tails are interesting and there are versions of the Mahabharata and Ramayana that are edited for young people.

Graphic novels are very popular these days and we found that P. Craig Russell's work is particularly good:

http://www.pcraigrussell.net/

[christinaleestemaker]

I think , because of his age he needs practical visions and not fairy tales.I know this 12 y age from my son 7 years from before for he is 19 now.I bought that book for him, but he says "if you think I go to read it, then better read by yourself for I won't read". So that was a clear message and what I have done with that book; easy have a lot of good advices to give right ways in living, making choices and what are practicle insights , if the other don't see by him -of herself.

[Katinka Hesselink]

I agree that the spiritual stories by Blavatsky in From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan
are fantastic and probably not too hard. I think the Collected Writings version is pretty complete. Even if it were not, your kid won't mind that anyhow. There are also stories by Judge well worth reading. These two collections contain stories by Blavatsky AND Judge (different from the Caves), though between them they probably overlap:

Occult Tales

The Tell Tale Picture Gallery: Occult Stories 1949

[Katinka Hesselink]

While the Jataka tales are inspiring and contain the basic concepts of karma and living rightly, they are also a bit boring and short. I don't think I'd recommend them to kids over 8 or something.

[christinaleestemaker]

If you see well the picture of Krishna J 's book, "what are you doing with your life?"
you see a mountain, faced like an old , point headed man.

[christinaleestemaker]

[Arthur E Gregory]

Well I think we have seen different levels of these Jataka Tales and some are more childlike than others.. I know I spent a winter reading the Jataka Tales in their complete edition as in

http://www.amazon.com/Jataka-Volumes-Forgotten-Books/dp/1605061182/...

I did come across what I feel would be excellent version to share with young people:

http://ignca.nic.in/jatak026.htm

It's a truly lovely presentation of both images and text.

Here's a book I found quite by accident:

http://www.amazon.com/Cuchama-Sacred-Mountains-W-Y-Evans-Wentz/dp/0...

There's a lovely edition of The Arabian Nights published by Barnes and Noble. It has leather binding and beautiful illustrations.

The point in introducing youth to some of these stories is I think is to widen their appreciation of other cultures and maybe introduce them to some ethics and philosophy.

Ultimately the first step is to know your child or youth.. What their interests are and what their curious about.

[Mark Newbold]

Hi Lenny, I have to admit most of the books written by theosophists for kids are pretty bad, boring plots & platitudes that kids can see right through. I think stick to the classics. Nursery rhymes for the youngest kids- Mother Goose lays a great foundation for cross cultural & folkloric influences. For my niece & nephews I gave them a firm grounding in the myths & folk legends of the world and of course the classic fairy tales we've all grown up with- Grimm's & Andersen. These provides a true beginning for a moral compass in all children. Later as the kid grows up- Tolkien, Greorge McDonald, The Oz books by L. Frank Baum (true theosophically inspired kiddie lit), my personal favorite as a kid, "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame. If you'e never read the chapter, "The piper at the gates of dawn" you should! As to American children's books- I think the "Freddy the Pig" books by Water R. Brooks are wonderful & can be enjoyed by adults too- I have a collection. They are celebrations of friendship & funny word play- I can't praise them enough. I envy your younger brother in you providing for him a wonderful new universe to explore! Best wishes...

[Jackie Clayton]

Awesome question Lenny. This is great information to have for my kids.