Review by Booklist Review
In these beautifully illustrated poems, diverse children enjoy nature while winningly demonstrating the concept of mindfulness for young readers. Children will find themselves relaxing as they are read, or read on their own, these poems that promote living with awareness and inner peace. (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.) The author's note explains that mindfulness comes from the Buddhist religion, and the poetry form she uses is the Japanesetanka, a type of haiku. Her poems describe smelling the grass as a line of ants march by, observing a leaf floating on a stream, flying a kite, finding a quiet place along the water's edge, or imagining being a tree able to withstand the changing seasons. This book will help children slow down and appreciate the world around them. There are many feelings books for children, but fewer that specifically focus on mindfulness, and this is a welcome addition.--Rawlins, Sharon Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-These 14 original tanka poems introduce children to the concept of mindfulness and incorporate meditation practices. The first poem sets the tone, encouraging readers to breathe in and out for "My breath/is a river of peace." While the poems are independent of each other, their stark beauty and personification of nature unify the work. Each powerful emotion conveyed through figurative language, whether it is anxiety, doubt, fear, or anger, is reinforced with expressive watercolors. When Coombs offers advice for "Thoughts [that] flutter and dart like birds," the illustration reveals a young girl's troubled backward glance at her kite stuck in a tree that is overwhelmed by brightly hued birds. It is a staggering image, to see thoughts made manifest in such numbers, but the scene provides a sense of serenity as the girl leaves her footprints behind in the snow. It is recognizing the words "There is time to breathe and be" within the poem as well as the stillness in the illustration that helps to release the tension inherent in the birds and thoughts. The harmony between children and their environment, along with the inclusion of minute details in the artwork, instills a sense of wonder as each panel challenges readers to dwell in the moment. It is the same message conveyed in the poetry. An author's note explains mindfulness as a concept and provides a definition of the tanka form. Pair with Kerry Lee MacLean's Peaceful Piggy Meditation and Mariam Gates's Good Night Yoga. VERDICT A serene collection celebrating nature and the importance of mindfulness, and a swell addition to -poetry shelves.--Rachel Zuffa, Racine Public -Library, WI © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
