Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond

A glib amalgamation of Taoism, business advice and self-help axioms, this brief, cutely illustrated business parable seeks to capture fans of Who Moved My Cheese? Gold (Tiger Heart, Tiger Mind , etc.) follows the adventures of a frog named Ping, who's forced into risky adventure when his pond dries up, compelling him to seek out a new place to hop. Along his search, Ping comes under the tutelage of Owl, a wise old bird who teaches Ping about "the Way" and the "intentional life" and who often speaks in Yoda-ish constructions (e.g., "Persistent you are. I'll grant you that"). Meditation sessions with Owl lead Ping to a host of revelations, including the promise that he "will build [his] risk-taking confidence, starting with small risk, working [his] way up until [he is] comfortable and confident in the taking of larger risks." Inspiring to some, soporific to others, this book will probably move fastest at airport bookstores. (Dec.)