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Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks (Volume 1) Paperback – November 11, 2014

by Gavin Aung Than (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 762 ratings
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Zen Pencils is an exciting and unique new comic form that takes inspirational and famous quotations and adapts them into graphic stories. From icons like Confucius, Marie Curie, and Henry David Thoreau, to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge, to contemporary notables like Ira Glass, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Neil Gaiman---their words are turned into sometimes heartwarming, sometimes sobering stories by cartoonist Gavin Aung Than. Be inspired, motivated, educated, and laugh as you read famous words as never before!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Gavin Aung Than, an Australian graphic designer turned cartoonist, started the weekly Zen Pencils blog in February 2012. He describes his motivation for launching Zen Pencils: "I was working in the boring corporate graphic design industry for eight years before finally quitting at the end of 2011 to pursue my passion for illustration and cartooning. At my old job, when my boss wasn't looking, I would waste time reading Wikipedia pages, mainly biographies about people whose lives were a lot more interesting than mine. Their stories and quotes eventually inspired me to leave my job to focus on what I really wanted to do. The idea of taking these inspiring quotes, combining them with my love of drawing and sharing them with others led to the creation of Zen Pencils."
 
"Zen Pencils deftly blends the inspired thoughts of our great creative and moral thinkers with its own fresh visual wit. Because these work as pithy history lessons illuminating timeless human truths, it's no wonder Gavin's engaging comics go viral!" —Michael Cavna, Washington Post's Comic Riffs

"Sometimes all it takes is a clear, original vision and a talented hand. Gavin Aung Than and his genius of Zen Pencils gives us that together, and so much more." -–Chris Hadfield, retired astronaut and former Commander of the International Space Station

"If you read this book and don't get a lump in your throat and a stirring in your heart at least once, check your pulse. You're dead." —Philip Plait, The Bad Astronomer

"Gavin has the amazing ability to make words and ideas come alive. He teaches, inspires, and brings a whole new level of creativity to the quotes that hold a special place in our hearts." —Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW Author of the No. 1 New York Times Bestseller, Daring Greatly

"Zen Pencils is a visual demonstration of joy and courage. Buy it for inspiration, and keep it for regular reminders of living bigger." — Chris Guillebeau, New York Times Bestselling Author of The $100 Startup
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Previous page
  1. Part of Series
    Zen Pencils
  2. Print length
    176 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Andrews McMeel Publishing
  5. Publication date
    November 11, 2014
  6. Dimensions
    7 x 0.6 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9781449457952
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1449457952
  9. Lexile measure
    GN560L
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Inspired by motivational posters that match uplifting sayings with dramatic images, Than fuses inspirational quotes with his own comics panels and in the process creates something finer than simply the sum of the two in this debut collection. A combination of quotes from both the classic (Thoreau, Twain, Confucius) and contemporary (Neil Gaiman, Ira Glass, Neil DeGrasse Tyson) are melded with cartoon art whose simplicity initially disguises its energetic dynamism. Than has chosen a range of stimulating and nurturing ideas, but the interconnection with competent and amusing comic strips pulls this above the usual collection of "never say die" anthologies. The book's emphasis is on artistic creativity: how to rise above the complications and setbacks (online trolls, discouraging relatives, mundane life) to find your own happiness and success in creating something. The sometimes literal, sometimes metaphorical adaptations are charming, funny, and pointedly invigorating. Than's website has been an online success and the book will introduce him to an even larger audience. A lively and sparkling collection with a potential long life as a gift suitable for kids and adults, ideal for graduates and career seekers." (Publishers Weekly)

"Zen Pencils deftly blends the inspired thoughts of our great creative and moral thinkers with its own fresh visual wit.  Because these work as pithy history lessons illuminating timeless human truths, it's no wonder Gavin's engaging comics go viral."  (Michael Cavna, The Washington Post, "Comic Riffs")

"Sometimes all it takes is a clear, original vision and a talented hand.  Gavin Aung Than and his genius of Zen Pencils gives us that together, and so much more."  (Chris Hadfield, retired astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station)

"If you read this book and don't get a lump in your throat and a stirring in your heart at least once, check your pulse.  You're dead."  (Roger Plait, The Bad Astronomer)

About the Author

Gavin Aung Than is a freelance cartoonist based in Melbourne, Australia. After working in the corporate graphic design industry for eight years he quit his unfulfilling job at the end of 2011 to focus on his true passion, drawing cartoons. Gavin launched Zen Pencils at the start of 2012, a cartoon blog which adapts inspirational quotes into comic stories, and hasn't looked back since.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1449457959
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Andrews McMeel Publishing; First Edition (November 11, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781449457952
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1449457952
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ GN560L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.32 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.6 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 762 ratings

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Gavin Aung Than

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
762 global ratings
Zen Pencils - Once you start, you won't want to put it down!
5 Stars
Zen Pencils - Once you start, you won't want to put it down!
I'm a huge fan of Gav's work in Zen Pencils.In his cartoons, he starts with a motivational quote from a famous person, and then brings it to life, adding his own ideas of characters. I personally like the one with Chris Hadfield's "An Astronaut's Advice", but don't ask me to pick a favorite, there are too many favorites! Ithaka is another one that really resonated with me.The book is wonderfully printed, I was very happy and impressed with the quality, its printed on nice quality paper, very well done. First Class all the way!Wishing Gav all the success he deserves, and hope to see many more of his cartoons in the future!Go buy the book, you'll enjoy it! Buy extras, Christmas is coming!
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Top reviews from the United States

Al Guevara
5.0 out of 5 stars When something special enters your life...you want others to know about it.
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2014
Verified Purchase
Having enjoyed Gavin's work for some time now, it was a no-brainer to order this book.
Every now and then, something pops into your life that stands out. Something that makes your life better just by existing. Something special that you can't wait to share with others. For me, Gavin's work fits that bill.
When he announced the book, I knew I'd own it. What I didn't know was that I would then purchase other copies to give to loved ones. If you are looking for a new twist on inspirational quotes, Zen Pencils is it. Gavin's artwork is clean, inspired and top notch.
The quotes are great, and how they are represented put them in a new light for me.
Someone mentioned the missing great comic of the Watterson quote. If I'm not mistaken, it was intended to appear, but they were not able to get permission.
Do yourself a favor and buy this collection. Either for yourself, a loved one, a friend or family member, or...like me, for your child, so they, too, can share in Gavin's delightful art.
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Sachin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
I followed Zenpencils for quite some time now. I started my business in 2011, and Zenpencils started in 2012. I found it with the illustration for William Ernest Henly's Invictus, and I've been hooked ever since. Saw as Gavin's work got better and better as time went by.

His illustrations moved me and uplifted me during the ups and downs of my business. I always found great inspiration with his work, and his life.

It was a no-brainer to buy this book, if only to to say thanks for the work he has done.

I would have preferred that each set of illustrations start with a proper heading to distinguish them from each other. Those not familiar with the works may have difficulty telling one set from another.

Otherwise, this is great collection and highly recommended for someone's own use or as a great gift idea.
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MARCON LUIGI Luis หลุยล์
5.0 out of 5 stars What a pearl!
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2014
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This book is a little, rare, beautiful pearl. It sparkles with vivid colors, imagination and profound significance from the quotations of great persons that inspire and motivate. Amazingly, it took me back to reading cartoons (bandes dessinees, dibuhos animados, fumetti...) after perhaps, say, 50 years,and as the kid that always remains inside me, I enjoyed it all!. But, at my "grand" age, I can also say that this is no comic strip at all, it is much, much more than that. Buy this book for yourself and your (alternative) library, or to make a significant gift to others, as it has already been said here in various comments. But as I live in Thailand, I also use it with Thai students for learning English. It provides an excellent support material for review and discussion that truly fascinate my joyfully minded Thai students.
หลุยล์
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J. P. HIGBED
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy two copies!
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014
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What a great book. It is a series of famous quotes, retold with comic strips. I prefer especially the longer pieces, such as the poem "Invictus" illustrated with incidents in Nelson Mandela's imprisonment. This book provides both inspiration and insight. But why do I recommend buying mutiple copies? Firstly one to keep for personal reading. Then others for giving away as birthday or anniversary gifts. As I read it, I kept exclaiming "That is so Connor (or Becky, or Mike)". So I will write a message on a Post-it note and paste it at the page that will benefit or amuse them. I would like to see the author, Gavin, do an entire volume just using Shakespeare.
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MSEreads
4.0 out of 5 stars This cartoon offering is full of inspiration.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
I don’t read too many cartoon style books and I thought this would be fun. It is fun with the author sharing some great quotes with unique and wonderful illustrations. My favorites were The Two Wolves, To Love at All (C.S. Lewis) and Invictus-- a Tribute to Nelson Mandela. All three of these are favorite quotes or poems of mine so it’s not surprising I liked them. I liked how Mr. Than matched the images to the literary works.

There are many other inspirational pieces with unique comic strips expressing emotions for each piece. The only thing that troubled me was some of the illustrations have very angry faces. We have enough terrible rage and mean-spiritedness in the world. I can appreciate the emotional intensity but I don’t think the terrible anger expressed is suitable for young people or a book promoting “zen”. I guess I have always associated “zen” with calm and peace although it is more accurately a focus of togetherness of mind and body in tune with natural intuition. Apparently the anger aspects did not bother other reviewers.

I read this on my tablet so I could experience the color comics. The set up allows expanding individual frames which I found interesting. I think the book might work even better in print but it worked fine on tablet too. Except for the anger emotions, I would recommend this as a unique presentation of inspiring words.

Source: NetGalley.
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bird lover
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Art Work in Story Form
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2014
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Just received my copy today. It's sooo beautiful. Each cartoon story depicts words of wisdom suitable for any age. I've followed the author on his web page for quite some time and enjoy every single story. The eye-catching pull out poster says "Imagination unlocks the universe" on nice thick paper, suitable for framing or on the walls of a classroom. The whole book encourages us all to believe in ourselves, and to do kind things. The quality of paper in the book is thick, glossy, and I can read the word balloons without my glasses. Gavin Aung Than's unique book makes a great gift for any age.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Rajat
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and life changing
Reviewed in India on June 26, 2023
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A book with deeply moving and profound insights.. a book to carry with you for a lifetime
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Cliente de Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Gran motivación
Reviewed in Mexico on December 31, 2019
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Un gran título y una buena ayuda motivacional genialmente ilustrada
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Luís Pedroza
5.0 out of 5 stars É LINDO EM TODOS OS SENTIDOS!
Reviewed in Brazil on October 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
Ele é lindo! As citações, apesar de serem de autores e personalidades que eu não conhecia, valeram muito a pena para mim! Claro que não concordo com todas, mas 90% eu achei muito legal! E sim: As gravuras São maravilhosas!!!! O artista é realmente muito sensível nas histórias que conta e procura contá-las de uma maneira que eu seu que também vai te emocionar!

Super recomendo!
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Kitsunebi
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspira e ispira
Reviewed in Italy on December 4, 2020
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Seguo Gavino da anni sui social e finalmente, con i primi stipendi, ho avuto modo di ripagarlo di tutte le vignette postate gratuitamente sui suoi profili. Un libro a fumetti motivazionale, come la vita dell'autore. Frasi e aforismi che possono risultare ormai banali data l'esposizione sui social diventano opere d'arte e prendendo vita. Tutto perché un giorno un ragazzo ha deciso di seguire il suo sogno. Grazie Gavin
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Thuban Isesi
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in Spain on December 18, 2016
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I've been following Gavin's work from many years in my computer and now I can enjoy it in an amazing book that I can take anywhere.
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