Big Breath

Starred review from July 15, 2019
Step by step, Meyer and Jacobs offer a straightforward and age-appropriate mindfulness meditation practice. This title's greatest asset is its simplicity. Each page invites readers to notice the present moment without judging what is or changing it to something else. This is mindfulness. "Can you hear your breath? Can you feel it? What does it sound like?" The illustration is similarly simple, showing three people diverse in skin tone, gender, and age. They practice along with the text, and the imagery is demonstrative and uncluttered. Ample white space allows the illustration to breathe along with readers. The depiction of meditators at varying points across the life span provides a subtle reminder that mindfulness is a lifelong practice rather than a task to be accomplished or a goal to be achieved. A misstep is the suggestion of how one may feel at the end of meditation: "lighter, more relaxed, maybe a little calmer?" This creates an unnecessary expectation of what one "should" feel, which the rest of the text actively eschews. However, it is a small and forgivable gaffe in an otherwise well-crafted resource. A wonderful read-aloud meditation for the beginner--or the practitioner of beginner's mind--of any age. (author's note) (Picture book. 6-10)

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November 15, 2019
Preschool-G Meditation might not be on the radar of most kids, but this focusing exercise may help kids stay calm in a hectic world. The book's simplicity is its key, inviting children to grab a cushion or blanket, get comfy, and take a breath. With appealing pen-and-watercolor art that incorporates a trio of kids against backdrops of waves and wind, mountains and clouds, the book asks children questions such as, "Can you hear your breath? What does it sound like?" It also requests readers to imagine their hearts and look at what they are filled with?"A word, a memory, a friendship?" Readers then follow the breath through to their toes and exhale, with the good advice to "Let go of the day. Let go of the coulds, the woulds, and the shoulds, the goods and the bads." After the short meditation is complete, children are asked to examine how they feel. Lighter? Calmer? A note introduces the author to his readers as he explains what mediation has done for him. An easy, enticing introduction to an ancient practice.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)