Children's books for mindfulness and meditation

Spotlight On: Mindfulness and meditation

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I’ll be the first to admit that I am not the calmest person nor the steadiest, most even-keeled. I become preternaturally cool in emergency situations and am often pretty chill in the face of meltdowns, whether they originate from adult or child, but on a day-to-day basis, the uproar that occurs inside my brain is… borderline horrifying. I am easily overstimulated (highly sensitive and probably, no definitely, have sensory issues) and once I get spun up, forget it — the only way to still myself is to move my body or cry, sometimes simultaneously.

I knew when I had tiny babies that part of my job was helping them regulate their nervous systems. I knew my husband and I needed to work hard(er) to flex and manage our own stress responses and to model, well, being better than how we used to be. This has been — as with much of the rest of parenting — a two-steps-forward, one-step-back kind of situation, with varying degrees of willingness and ability, many moving parts, and a humbling amount of learning, re-learning, and trying again.

One of the surprises of this process — I suppose I mean raising children as a whole but also this specific thing — has been the helpfulness and efficacy of children’s books. All of the titles I’ve reviewed below are amazing at helping kiddos become more aware and accepting of their feelings, fostering the capacity to be mindful, teaching meditation skills, but are not just for — or not only for — children. I have gained as much from these books as my kids have. And that might be because, yes, I have to devote more intention and effort than your average bear to taking deep breaths and noticing how I’m feeling in my body, mind, and soul — or it might be simply because I’m a human being alive in this beguiling, baffling world.

Books for mindfulness and meditation are for us all. I hope you find something that speaks to you — and helps you — here.

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All of Me: A Book of Thanks by Molly Bang (2009)

This review first appeared in issue No. 12. I have edited and updated it here.

What I appreciate the most about Molly Bang’s books — besides her little bit wacky, interesting illustration, here cut-paper collage and pastel — is that she’s incredibly honest and forthright about feelings and what’s really going on inside.

As “a book of thanks” the primary focus in this title is the feeling of gratitude, and Bang does it absolutely flawlessly. Beginning with “Look at my fine feet! Thank you, feet, for holding me up when I stand, and when I walk, and when I jump!” this little person covers their whole body with gratitude. This in and of itself would make a noteworthy book, but then the little one extends the gratitude outward: “Today I did so many things. Today I felt so many feelings…. and right now I also know that I am part of this whole world — this universe! All this is my home. I am ALIVE. And this whole universe is inside all of me. What a wonder.”

This book is a lovely, meditative, even spiritual social-emotional book that I recommend for any child (as well as their adults).

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Joy Takes Root by Gwendolyn Wallace, illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin (2023)

I received a copy of this book from Penguin Young Readers — all opinions are my own

In this refreshing, meditative take on gardening, Joy spends her time during a visit to her grandmother in South Carolina with her hands — and increasingly, her heart — in the dirt.

In Grammy’s abundant backyard, Joy learns to connect to the earth, the soil, the seeds, the ancestors, and all the sights, smells, sounds, and sensations around her as her grandmother teaches her to “Breathe your intentions from your heart, through your hands, and into the ground.”

Corrin’s peaceful and charming digital illustrations make this a warm read for preschoolers, elementary-aged students, and anyone who believes — as I do — that we can bring presence and mindfulness to anything and everything we do.

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A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles by Thich Nhat Hanh (2008)

If you’re looking for a creative, hands-on (pun totally intended) way to introduce meditation to elementary- and middle-school-aged kiddos — especially one that emphasizes our interconnections with nature and the world around us, through visual imagery and actual, tangible items — look no further: Zen Master (and Nobel Peace Prize nominee) Nhat Hanh has created the perfect title for you.

The meditation practice here focuses on four pebbles, each representing a flower, a mountain, calm water, and space. Nhat Hanh guides readers through the meaning of — and what to do with — each. This could be put to excellent use in a formal setting, such as a classroom (of any age, including adult courses, senior centers, etc.) or an informal one (your own home). It also makes a beautiful gift for anyone needing more peace and calm in their life. (Name one person who doesn’t need more of that, am I right?)

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ABC and You and Me by Corinna Luyken (2023)

I received a copy of this book from Penguin Young Readers Group — opinions are my own.

This clever and inventive book is three things at once: an alphabet book, that encourages readers to get up and move, featuring all sorts of bodies of varying sizes, ages, skin tones, abilities, and beyond. Each page features people “acting out” the letter — see the cover image above — in Luyken’s lovely pencil, watercolor, ink, and colored pencil illustrations.

The invitation here — for toddlers and preschoolers, to be sure, but I wouldn’t count older kiddos out, either, as this book compelled me as an adult — is to get up and become each letter with one’s own body. Couple that with the delight of finding, on every page, a few other objects that start with the same letter, and you have a book that seems simple at first glance but actually provides a lot more to do — and enjoy.

This is a joyful — I might even suggest stress-reducing — way to drop into our bodies, be more present there, and most of all, have fun.