Animal Asanas Yoga for Children

Gr 2-5-Fourteen introductory animal asanas, or body positions, to encourage children to practice yoga. Each page contains an illustration of the pose and covers the mental and physical benefits of that particular position, along with tips, step-by-step instructions, and a small stick figure diagram. Each pose has been modified to be child-friendly, and the steps are easy to follow and upbeat. For example, a lion asana invites kids to roar, and the frog pose asks them to jump. Though slim, the book is visually pleasing and features bright illustrations with an emphasis on patterns. However, while the content is intended to get young kids excited about yoga, some of the descriptive language is too sophisticated for the intended audience; kids will likely need adult assistance. A relaxation exercise and suggestions for parents are also offered. VERDICT A colorful and useful tool for caregivers and educators to inspire confidence and self-awareness in elementary schoolers through yoga.-Kathryn Justus, Renbrook School, West Hartford, CT © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.