Tag: mindfulness

Review: My Mindful A to Zen

~ Devyn ~ Leave a comment

If you’re looking for a picture book to bring a little more Zen into your life, I have the perfect pick for you today. My Mindful A to Zen by Krina Patel-Sage is an alphabet picture book with a twist.

Title: My Mindful A to Zen
Author/Illustrator: Krina Patel-Sage
Publisher: Lantana Publishing
Published: October 5, 2021
Format: Picture Book

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Amazon

This gorgeous picture book is not just teaching young readers the alphabet, but it’s also a collection of 26 haikus about wellbeing. Highlighting the “Five Ways of Wellbeing”, each haiku teaches young readers how to connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, and give.

The illustrations capture many of the small moments that bring us great joy through the day. I also love the bright colors used throughout.

My Mindful A to Zen is a fantastic introduction to the concept of mindfulness and would be a great selection for anyone hoping to share positive mental health education with young readers. You can pick up a copy wherever you normally purchase books, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Lantana Publishing for sending me a review copy of this wonderful book.

About The Author:

Krina Patel-Sage is an illustrator, author, and designer. Beginning her design career at a children’s publishing house in 2012, she developed a passion for illustrated nonfiction. She was shortlisted for Penguin’s 2018 WriteNow illustration prize.

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Already A Butterfly: A Meditation Story

~ Devyn ~ Leave a comment

Did you know that today is World Meditation Day? In celebration, I would like to share Already a Butterfly by Julia Alvarez with you all today. The calming, gentle picture book follows a young butterfly name Mari Posa, as she buzzes about her busy days.

With so much to do, Mari finds she may not be paying enough attention to her days, as everything becomes a blur of activity. Her mind races about the things she needs to do, and she doesn’t seem to rest or enjoy her accomplishments at the end of the day.

One day, Mari meets a new friend who helps her recall the peaceful feelings she had inside her chrysalis. He teaches her how to go back to that calm place in her mind through controlled breathing and meditating, before he makes a transformation of his own.

I was really surprised to find myself relating to Mari Posa. I’ve always known that I have a lot of irons in the fire being a mom, a writer, a reviewer, and having a day job. But I never really thought about the way I might not be sitting with each of those activities and enjoying them in the moment. Already a Butterfly inspired me to set some time aside for yoga and meditation every week, to make sure I’m being a bit more mindful. I always love when a children’s book teaches me a lesson!

The illustrations by Raúl Colón are beautiful. They reminded me of classic illustrations from the books I read as a child, and they bring such a calming energy to Mari Posa’s story.

You can pick up your own copy of Already a Butterfly wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. I will also be partnering with Blue Slip Media to giveaway a copy on Instagram to celebrate World Meditation Day, so be sure to enter over there. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Julia Alvarez is a Dominican-American poet, novelist, essayist, and the recipient of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Award and National Medal of Arts. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at juliaalvarez.com.

Raúl Colón is an award-winning illustrator based in New York. Please visit his Instagram to learn more about him and his work, including one of my personal favorites Counting The Stars by Lesa Cline-Ransome.

Thank you to Blue Slip Media for providing me with a review copy of this beautiful book. I hope you all enjoy your World Meditation Day celebrations and find a bit of peace in your busy days.

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Most Days: The Magic of Here and Now

~ Devyn ~ 1 Comment

When I heard that Michael Leannah had a new book coming out this year, I knew I had to read it.

His previous release, Most People (2017), was a favorite of mine, and I couldn’t wait to read his latest release, Most Days.

And I’m so glad I did!

With the same heartwarming tone found in Most People, Most Days is all about taking the time to notice all the little things throughout our day that we so often take for granted. This book is the perfect introduction for young readers to the concept of mindfulness.

In Most Days, the term mindfulness is never used, but instead shown through the daily lives of a community, emphasizing that ordinary days can be extraordinary if we take the time to stop and notice.

Megan Elizabeth Baratta’s illustrations perfectly capture these ordinary but remarkable moments in our day, like the sun coming in through the window, the wind in our hair, a hug, or the turning of a page in a book.

Most Days is a great bedtime read, not just because it feels like a warm hug, but also because it presents the opportunity to practice gratitude with young readers and discuss the highlights of our days together.

Most Days is released next week (January 5, 2021), but you can preorder it today wherever you normally purchase books, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: These are affiliate links. I will receive a small commission from purchases made using these links at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this website and continue bringing content to you.)

If you would like to learn more about Michael Leannah and his work, be sure to check out his website at www.michaelleannah.com.

Thank you to Tilbury House for generously providing me with a review copy of Most Days.

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