Follow Your Breath!

Starred review from September 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-Ritchie introduces children to the importance of mindfulness, with highly detailed pictures and a warm palette. The book follows Pedro and his friends at a sleepover. He is anxious because his family is moving. Mrs. Rivera, his mom, offers ideas for practicing mindfulness, including books, apps, and websites. As the story progresses, Mrs. Rivera points out different opportunities to practice mindfulness. The children demonstrate some of the challenges of learning how to notice "what is happening right now, in the moment." The illustrations of Pedro and his friends depict a variety of skin tones. Pedro and his mom have brown skin and textured hair. Each page reminds readers that mindfulness is something that gets easier with practice and that even adults struggle with mindfulness. This is a very pertinent topic at the moment, with a growing emphasis on social emotional learning in schools. Activities to improve mindfulness are shared throughout the text; back matter includes "Mindful Games" and a glossary. The text and pictures will appeal to very young readers, but the book is appropriate for older kids or adults. VERDICT A must-have for social emotional learning. Ritchie provides an excellent overview of mindfulness for youngsters.-Debbie Tanner, S D Spady Montessori Elem., FL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2020
Five friends from Ritchie's informational series Exploring Our Community learn about mindfulness. Pedro is nervous about moving. His mom, a martial arts instructor, teaches him and his friends about mindfulness to try to relieve his anxiety. She talks them through various tips and tricks. First they learn how to stretch and focus on their bodies. (A sidebar gives readers a stretch to try on their own.) Then they take a mindful walk through a park and into a garden, noticing the sights and smells. A sudden rainstorm brings up a discussion about emotions. "Like the weather, feelings change and are often beyond our control." The pals head back to Pedro's house for a sleepover, where they learn how to do a body scan before bed. Bold headings announce each topic ("Be Wise--Visualize!") while the main narrative follows the friends. A subnarrative in smaller font gives more in-depth facts. Ritchie's inked, comics-inspired illustrations are bright enough to appeal but also subdued enough to complement the calming subject matter. Examples of mindful games are appended along with a glossary. Pedro and his friend group make up a diverse, mixed bunch. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.3-by-17.8-inch double-page spreads viewed at 35.2% of actual size.) A reminder to pause, breathe, and notice the moment. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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October 1, 2020
Grades K-2 Pedro's family will be moving soon, and he's feeling worried about living in a new house. Hoping to help him, his mother turns a sleepover into an opportunity for Pedro and his friends to learn about mindfulness. After joining in the tae kwon do class she teaches, they all go outdoors to practice meditation and play a sensory game. When a rainstorm upsets their plans, they learn about accepting their feelings. Dinnertime offers the opportunity to focus on what they're tasting, and at bedtime, they practice a breathing exercise that helps them relax. After the move, the friends arrive at Pedro's new house for a tour. While turning a sleepover into a learning opportunity might not sound like a promising plan, the latest entry in Ritchie's Exploring Our Community series makes it enjoyable for readers as well as the multiracial cast of familiar characters. The colorful digital illustrations take center stage, while the narrative appears on the side, along with relevant information in a different typeface. Three mindful games are appended. A helpful, easygoing introduction to mindfulness.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)