Staff Picks
Read All About It: Being Mindful & Finding Calm
- Heather M.
- Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Collection
Being mindful, taking a breath and finding your calm can be challenging on a good day. Add in busy schedules, family stresses, worries and world events, it can seem impossible--especially for children who haven't mastered self-regulation.
Even good changes like holidays or vacations can make children feel overwhelmed:
"The thoughts in my head are like rushing water and I feel like a boat with no anchor being carried away."--I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde | illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
These books, audiobooks and movies can help children take a breath and find their calm.
Looking for even more good books? Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084.
Breathe and Be
A Book of Mindfulness Poems.
Published in 2019
I breathe slowly in, I breathe slowly out. My breath is a river of peace. I am here in the world. Each moment I can breathe and be. Hear thunder crash, feel your toes touch sand, and watch leaves drift softly away on a quiet stream. The simple poems in Breathe and Be help children learn mindfulness as they connect to the beauty of the natural world. Mindfulness teaches us how to stay calm, soothe our emotions, and appreciate the world around us. Whether we're watching tiny colored fish darting in the water or exploring the leaves, branches, and roots of a towering tree, the thoughtful words and the lovely art of Breathe and Be remind us how much joy we can find by simply living with awareness and inner peace.
Breathe and Be (Read Along)
A Book of Mindfulness Poems.
Published in 2019
I breathe slowly in, I breathe slowly out. My breath is a river of peace. I am here in the world. Each moment I can breathe and be. Hear thunder crash, feel your toes touch sand, and watch leaves drift softly away on a quiet stream. The simple poems in Breathe and Be help children learn mindfulness as they connect to the beauty of the natural world. Mindfulness teaches us how to stay calm, soothe our emotions, and appreciate the world around us. Whether we're watching tiny colored fish darting in the water or exploring the leaves, branches, and roots of a towering tree, the thoughtful words and the lovely art of Breathe and Be remind us how much joy we can find by simply living with awareness and inner peace.
Good Morning Yoga
A Pose-by-pose Wake Up Story.
Published in 2017
Yoga helps children learn how to focus, relax, and both self-monitor and self-soothe. Good Morning Yoga instills these four skills and more, enabling children to jump-start the day with energy and excitement and meet the adventures that come with mindfulness and perspective. Good Night Yoga tells the story of the world retiring for the evening, and a new generation of readers has fallen in love with the relaxing sequences and beautiful pictures that lead them to dreamland. Good Morning Yoga weaves gentle exercises with a heartwarming narrative and wonderful illustrations to empower children to manage the energies that visit throughout the day, from the fiery volcano to the mountain quiet and still.
Good Morning Yoga
A Pose-by-pose Wake Up Story
Published in 2017
Teach kids to greet the morning with joy and embark on their daily adventures with confidence. Turn the page, reach up to the sky, and get ready for a great day!
Good Night Yoga
A Pose-by-pose Bedtime Story
Published in 2017
Good Night Yoga tells the story of the world retiring for the evening, and helps calm active children into a peaceful and soothing bedtime routine.
Already a Butterfly
A Meditation Story
Published in 2020
A too busy butterfly who spends her day hurrying and worrying finds her own "quiet place" after learning about meditation and mindfulness from a flower bud.
I Am!
Affirmations for Resilience
Published in 2020
"Ten relatable emotions are each followed by a centering exercise and a positive affirmation to be recited, as a practice in mindfulness. Young readers are encouraged to find their inner strength by recognizing and addressing their emotions, instilling a sense of power and self-confidence"-- Provided by publisher.
Sloth at the Zoom
Published in 2018
"Sloth is a sloooooow creature. She's supposed to be going to the Zzzzzoo, but is mistakenly delivered to the ZOOM! She wants to make friends in her new home, but it seems like all the animals here are always busy, late, and in a rush. Finally, the sloth meets someone more to her speed: a tiny snail who invites the sloth down for a cup of tea. The friendship of these two animals is surprising and delightful enough to stop all the other animals in their tracks. And as day became night, and night became day, the animals at the ZOOM! slowed downj̥ust long enough, that is, to all become fast friends. A lovely story of mindfulness in an over-stimulated world! Kids will relate to being being rushed around and longing for the undivided attention of the people around them."-- Provided by publisher.
Just Breathe
Published in 2018
For kids ages 8 to 12, this is an accessible and fun meditation and mindfulness how-to book, written by Mallika Chopra and with a foreword by Deepak Chopra. Just Breathe is a fun and accessible go-to meditation guide written by none other than Mallika Chopra, wellness expert and the daughter of Deepak Chopra. For kids ages 8 to 12, this book is full of specific exercises to help deal with day-to-day challenges and tips to lead a healthier, happier, and more connected life. The book includes practical advice on breathing techniques and guided meditations for a number of topics and scenarios, including: Dealing with stress Getting to sleep Building self-confidence Focusing on school/tests/other work Ridding oneself of anxiety Beginners will learn the basics of meditation and how to get started, and those more experienced will learn how to improve their practice. This book will also teach kids how to prepare their own meditation spaces. Just Breathe is the go-to book for kids who want to learn more about mindfulness and meditation.
Just Breathe
Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement, and More
Published in 2018
A meditation guide for teens offers specific mindfulness exercises to help deal with day-to-day challenges and includes tips to lead a happier, healthier, and more connected life.
Little Monkey Calms Down
Published in 2014
Little Monkey feels sad, mad and angry all at once--he needs to learn how to calm down.
The Rabbit Listened
Published in 2018
"When Taylor's block castle is destroyed, all the animals think they know just what to do, but only the rabbit quietly listens to how Taylor is feeling"-- Provided by publisher.
Hurry Up!
A Book About Slowing Down
Published in 2020
"A busy boy and his dog learn to slow down and enjoy life together"-- Provided by publisher.
Thank You, Miyuki
Published in 2020
"Miyuki and her grandfather return in an enchanting intergenerational story enhanced by Seng Soun Ratanavanh's gorgeous Japanese-inspired illustrations. Miyuki's curiosity is piqued by her grandfather's morning meditation routine, and she is eager to learn this new skill. Her wise and patient grandfather first takes her on a walk in the garden. "When do we start to meditate?" she asks repeatedly. Grandfather enjoys the warm sun and stops to smell a rose, inviting Miyuki to join him. Their walk in the garden, filled with many tender moments, heightens their gratitude for each other and for the world around them. Miyuki comes to understand that in the small acts of mindfulness throughout her day, she learned how to meditate"--Amazon.com.
Meditate with Me
Published in 2017
This accessible and fun guide to meditation and mindfulness is the perfect introduction for young children. Meditation does a body good, and can even help kids as young as four or five. This practical guide is gentle, clear, and a pleasure to use. Kids will learn how to focus on their breath, on the sensations in their body, and on the sounds around them to help them relax, settle their busy minds, and understand their emotions. Narrated by author Mariam Gates, the audiobook offers step-by-step directions and a repeating refrain: "Breathe in, and fill your whole body. Breathe out, and relax your whole body." It's an invigorating first experience of mindfulness that can be shared by parents and children at home, or by teachers and students in the classroom.
Meditate with Me
A Step-by-step Mindfulness Journey
Published in 2017
"This accessible and fun guide to meditation and mindfulness is the perfect introduction for young children Meditation does a body good, and can even help kids as young as four or five. This practical guide is gentle, clear, and a pleasure to use. Kids will learn how to focus on their breath, on the sensations in their body, and on the sounds around them to help them relax, settle their busy minds, and understand their emotions. Illustrated with cheerful drawings of five animal friends, the book offers step-by-step directions and a repeating refrain: "Breathe in, and fill your whole body. Breathe out, and relax your whole body." It's an invigorating first experience of mindfulness that can be shared by parents and children at home, or by teachers and students in the classroom"-- Provided by publisher.
Meditation Station
Published in 2020
Explains to young readers how to learn and begin the practice of meditation, comparing the mind to a racing train of thoughts that children can avoid boarding to find inner calm instead.
Big Breath
A Guided Meditation for Kids
Published in 2019
"A guided meditation for children, illustrated with colorful drawings, designed to promote calm and well-being"-- Provided by publisher.
A Little Space for Me
Published in 2020
Overwhelmed by a sibling's snores, a friend's smelly lunch and a crowded, noisy playground, a little girl embarks on a search for a space of her own where she can breathe, rest, dream and think.
Yoga Storytime
Published in 2018
Discover the basics of practicing yoga by tracing the story of its beginnings in India, showing how its earliest practitioners observed things in nature, such as trees, cats, snakes, and lions, and then imitated their poses. They realized that the most simple and natural thing to do is breathe; the practice of yoga starts with becoming mindful of one's own breath and then learning how to breathe and do nothing more. This book includes a reading guide as an important practical component for those who want to begin the practice of yoga through easy postures.
Take the Time
Mindfulness for Kids
Published in 2010
Via rhythms and imagery, guides a child toward self-awareness and mindfulness, tools which may help him or her calm down and feel better when out-of-sorts.
Anh's Anger
Published in 2009
When Anh becomes angry and says hurtful things, his grandfather tells him to go to his room and sit with his anger, which allows Anh to feel better. Based on teachings about mindfulness and Buddhism by Thich Nhat Hanh, and includes a list of retreat communities that practice mindful living.
Fergal and the Bad Temper
Published in 2019
"Fergal the dragon does not like being told what to do. Its not fair! And when things aren't fair, Fergal loses his temper and snorts angry fire. He feels sorry afterward, but Fergal just can't control his outbursts! After one really fiery day, his family and friends offer him some advice to calm down. Can this dragon learn to cool it before a temper tantrum hits? A perfect choice for fiery kids everywhere!"--Jacket.
Outside In
Published in 2020
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ FIVE STARRED REVIEWS! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ From the New York Times best-selling author behind The Quiet Book comes a mindful contemplation on the many ways nature affects our everyday lives, even when we're stuck inside. Perfect for fans of Joyce Sidman and Julie Fogliano, Outside In reminds emerging readers of the ways nature creates and touches our lives in homes, apartments, and cars, and is the perfect homeschooling tool to reflect on the world's connectedness. Outside is waiting, the most patient playmate of all. The most generous friend. The most miraculous inventor. This thought-provoking picture book poetically underscores our powerful and enduring connection with nature, not so easily obscured by lives spent indoors. Rhythmic, powerful language shows us how our world is made and the many ways Outside comes in to help and heal us, and reminds us that we are all part of a much greater universe. Emotive illustrations evoke the beauty, simplicity, and wonder that await us all . . . outside.
I Am Peace
A Book of Mindfulness
Published in 2017
A child starts to get carried away with worry and rushing thoughts before taking a breath, steadying, observing thoughts, feeling kindness, feeling thankful, and experiencing the world.
Alphabreaths
The ABCs of Mindful Breathing
Published in 2019
In Alphabreaths, children will learn their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful breathing exercises. Breaths like Mountain Breath and Redwood Breath will connect them with nature, while breaths like Heart Breath and Wish Breath will help them remember to fill their heart with gratitude and send good wishes to others. Simple, playful, and with delightful illustrations, Alphabreaths is the perfect introduction to mindfulness and breath awareness.
Breathe Like a Bear
30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere
Published in 2017
"We all want to bring more calm into our lives. We all want to feel more focused and positive. Mindfulness is the key to making it happen. Breathe like a bear guides us through fun exercises to help us relax and stretch our imaginations. Because just like we need to exercise our bodies, we need to flex our mindfulness muscles!"--Jacket.
Listen Like an Elephant
Published in 2019
"With Listen Like an Elephant, kids learn to slow down, listen to the world around them, and focus their minds--no matter how messy life becomes. Best of all, the exercise can be performed anywhere: in the backseat of a car, at home, or even at their desk at school"--Amazon.
Slow Down
50 Mindful Moments in Nature
Published in 2020
"All around us, nature is working wonders. Every day, hour by hour, magical transformations happen right in front of you. But it's not always easy to see them . . . In this beautiful illustrated collection, 50 moments in nature are paused for you to watch them in detail. Then you should go outside, and explore, and see what you find when you take the time to slow down. Gorgeously illustrated, this charming collection celebrates the small wonders happening all around us every day"-- Provided by publisher.