Mindfulness: The therapeutic and relaxing practice of focusing on the present moment and the feelings and sensations that you are currently experiencing.
I LOVE that mindfulness is a trending topic right now because I believe that it is more important to practice and develop than ever, for adults and children alike. When I take a little time in why day to re-center and practice some mindfulness I notice a big difference. I am a highly motivated, fast-paced person so taking time to slow down is so valuable to me.
I’ve noticed that my children have this same need. They can get wrapped-up in tier emotions and activities and can often benefit from a moment to just breathe and be mindful. I have been trying to help teach them this process through example and, of course, some fabulous books. Below is a list of our favorite books for teaching mindfulness.
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Happy: A Beginners Book to Mindfulness by Nicola Edwards and Katie Hickey- This book makes a fabulous introduction to mindfulness as it briefly describes different components of the practice.
Catching Thoughts by Brooke Clark and Summer Malcom- This one is brilliant! It helps kids become more mindful of their thoughts and gives them a simple strategy for “kicking out” unwanted or negative thoughts.
Hurry Up!: A Book About Slowing Down by by Kate Dopirak and Christopher Silas Neal- The first part of this book reflects the chaos and rush we can sometimes get swept-up in and the second part encourages us to take time to slow down and practice mindfulness.
Thank You Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez and Seng Soun Ratanavanh- In this story a grandfather teaches/shows his granddaughter that meditation can be as simple as noticing the little details of the world around you and taking time to be quiet and slow. It’s beautiful.
What John Marco Saw by Annie Barrows and Nancy Lemon- In this story the character John Marco is practicing mindfulness while others around him are distracted and missing out. It is a cute little story that is great for teaching mindfulness.
My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Breathing by Nick Ortner, Alison Taylor and Michelle Polizzi- I LOVE this one! You can practice a mindfulness breathing technique along with the book and it is SO well done. Perfect for helping kids with this useful strategy.
My Heart by Corinna Luyken- This is a beautiful and thought provoking book that is great for helping kids become more mindful of the feelings that reside in their heart.
I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds- This is another excellent introductory book for mindfulness for young children. This whole series from Susan Verde seems fantastic really…
Do Not Go In There by Ariel Horn and Izzy Burton- This book isn’t strictly about mindfulness, but it fits in so well that I had to include it. It is great for helping children to become more aware of positive and negative thoughts and how they effect them. Its a great “discussion starter” book.
Belly Breath by Leslie Kimmelman and Lindsey Dale-Scott- This board book is great for young and older children alike and is a great beginners book for practicing the art of “belly breathing”. The illustrations are so helpful and it is such a “user friendly book.”
Be Still Life by Ohara Hale – This little gem is a celebration of taking time to slow down and be mindful of the little things. It mixes whimsy with practicality and I adore it.
Quiet by Paola- This beautiful book is a lovely invitation to take some time to be still, quiet and mindful. It has very little text and has an incredibly peaceful vibe overall.
Frederick by Leo Lionni- Frederick is a personal favorite of mine. This little mouse is a great example of practicing mindfulness and the benefits that you can reap from it.
The Silence Slips In by Alison Hughes and Ninon Pelletier- In this book silence is personified as a gentle, lovable, furry creature. It features how we can invite silence into our lives and is a personal favorite of mine.
Tiny, Perfect Things by M.H. Clark and Madeline Kloepper- This is a charming story where a grandfather and granddaughter go on a nature walk together. They practice mindfulness and take time to appreciate and notice all the beauty around them.
The Yoga Game in the Garden by Kathy Beliveau and Denise Holmes- Of course I had to include at least one yoga book with a mindfulness book list right?! This one is especially adorable and is even great for encouraging children to spend time outside. Win!
Here and Now by Julia Denos and E. B. Goodale- This sweet book pays tribute to the moment that we live in here and now. It helps children to focus on the present and briefly let go of the past and future. A great one for mindfulness.
Slumberkins Presents Yeti by by Kelly Oriard, Callie Christensen and Theresa Thomson- We are BIG fans fo Slumberkins and I personally think this is the best book they have done so far. It teaches a strategy for children to use to calm down and practice mindfulness. So applicable and easy to follow.
A Little Space for Me by Jennifer Gray Olson- In this story a girl who is feeling crowded learns that she can create a little “internal space” for herself that she can carry around with her everywhere she goes.
In My Heart a Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey- This is another one that is great for helping children develop mindfulness of their emotions. Such an important concept for mindfulness in general.
The Un-Hurry Book by Usborne and Freya Harrison- This isn’t a “storybook”, its a journal, but journaling can be such a great tool for practicing mindfulness and this one looks so wonderful that I had to include it. The purpose of this one is to help teach children to slow down and practice mindfulness through journaling.
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