Back in March we wrote a blog post outlining some children's mindfulness mediation books that was well received. So, here are a few more children's mindfulness meditation books that are appropriate for all ages and make a wonderful gift for that someone special.
Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents) by Eline Snel (Author), Myla Kabat-Zinn (Reader), Jon Kabat-Zinn (Foreword)
The Kabat-Zinn family is revered in the world of mindfulness. Their involvement with this fun manual for kids and parents gives this book a serious pedigree. “Sitting Still Like a Frog” includes a 60-minute CD of mindfulness activities for the all to share.
2. Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth
Muth's work on mindfulness for children began well before the Zen trend hit the bookshelves. Using Stillwater, his trademark panda character, and thoughtful prose, his stories are a must for those wanting to cultivate calm in their children. This selection, honored by the Caldecott committee, features three siblings interacting with Stillwater as he tells them ancient Zen stories.
3. Anh's Anger by Gail Silver
Anh gets really angry at his grandfather for interrupting his playtime and calling the family to the dinner table. Instead of scolding Anh for his outburst, the grandfather encourages him to go and sit with his anger. Using this narrative, Silver offers a powerful lesson in honoring and recognizing one's emotions in the present. Her book Steps and Stones does similar work.
4. Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein
Using rhyme, this story encourages children to invite emotions into their lives, embracing all feelings equally instead of labeling or judging them. The swirling colors and dreamlike illustrations make this book perfect for a bedtime read.
5. Good Night Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story by Mariam Gates
Yoga is an excellent practice to help children quiet their minds. By using physical poses to maintain a sense of presence, yoga clears the mind of distraction and invites one into the present moment. This book adds poses to the story so readers can stretch and unwind while enjoying the text. Another excellent yoga read with explanations of poses is I Am Yoga.