Lists and Suggestions for Kids

"I've got a puppy running around inside my head. His name is Ollie. Sometimes my puppy is quiet, curious, or scared. And sometimes he is excited . . . a little too excited! When that happens, I get overwhelmed. So, what's a puppy--and an anxious kid--to do? Author Elise Gravel helps children identify and cope with anxiety in a calming, mindful way." --

"In Crafting Calm : Art and Activities for Mindful Kids, kids engage in and practice mindfulness through fun and easy exercises, crafts, and activities, with the goal of learning a deeper sense of calm, peace, joy, and connection to the world around them, all while improving emotional intelligence, boosting self-esteem, and reducing anxiety"--

In Alphabreaths, children will learn their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful breathing exercises. Breaths like Mountain Breath and Redwood Breath will connect them with nature, while breaths like Heart Breath and Wish Breath will help them remember to fill their heart with gratitude and send good wishes to others. Simple, playful, and with delightful illustrations, Alphabreaths is the perfect introduction to mindfulness and breath awareness.

All around us, nature is working wonders. Every day, hour by hour, magical transformations happen right in front of you. But it's not always easy to see them . . . In this beautiful illustrated collection, 50 moments in nature are paused for you to watch them in detail. Then you should go outside, and explore, and see what you find when you take the time to slow down. Gorgeously illustrated, this charming collection celebrates the small wonders happening all around us every day.

This beautifully illustrated collection of mindfulness exercises is designed to teach kids techniques for managing their bodies, breath, and emotions. Best of all, these thirty simple, short breathing practices and movements can be performed anytime, anywhere: in the car on the way to the grocery store, during heavy homework nights at home, or even at a child's desk at school.

"We all want to bring more calm into our lives. We all want to feel more focused and positive. Mindfulness is the key to making it happen. Breathe like a bear guides us through fun exercises to help us relax and stretch our imaginations. Because just like we need to exercise our bodies, we need to flex our mindfulness muscles!"--Jacket.

A collection of mindfulness exercises to help kids calmly and mindfully navigate their day. With sections dedicated to key activities in a child's routine-waking up, traveling, learning, playing, eating, and bedtime-kids can learn techniques for managing their bodies, breath, and emotions.

"The Calm Book is a playful, warm and inviting non-fiction picture book designed to encourage children to pay attention to their moods, and learn to cope with the stresses and excitements of the busy modern world without becoming overwhelmed. Top tips help young children to practice breathing and mindfulness techniques and other calming exercises, while mini science sections explain simply what happens in the brain and body."--Amazon.com.

From the award-winning author of The Star in the Forest comes this heart- felt story about learning to cope with anxiety and grief. Out to Sea follows the journey of a young girl named Lara who is so sad after the death of her grandmother that her tears flood her room, her house, her town, and eventually sweep her out to sea. Adrift, she struggles to overcome her sadness until she discovers a pearl at the bottom of the ocean that triggers happy memories of her grandmother and the times they shared. With that pearl tucked in her pocket and the realization that she's not alone, Lara finds the strength to pick up her oars and row herself back home. Beautifully illustrated and written with sensitivity, this moving tale of social and emotional learning expresses the experience of anxiety and grief and shows readers how they might ride the waves of emotion without losing perspective.

"Shrink big feelings down to size! Navigating big emotions can help us learn more about ourselves as we feel calmer. Bright, cheerful illustrations paired with engaging photos and lively text make learning about emotions fun, while engaging activities put the social and emotional learning into action. Explore how life works when we don't sweat it"--

"What is an effort thermometer? How exactly do you discover 'the power of yet'? How could sharing positive stories with your family help you face tough times? Learn all about building resilience in fun ways to help you take on big challenges and recover from disappointments with a healthier, happier mindset."--

"How can you stop annoying things from ruining your day? What is a 'Yes, I Can' list? Can making a funny face help you feel better about the world? Discover fun ways to learn to think positive that will help you take on big challenges and daily tasks with a healthier, happier mindset."--

"What does it mean to be brave? Could picturing yourself not being afraid actually make you feel better? How can we manage the little steps and big leaps along our journey toward facing fear? Discover how to face your fears in positive ways that will help you take on big challenges and daily tasks with a healthier, happier mindset"--

"What can you do to stop your brain from hitting the panic button? How can you be a 'future friend' to yourself? How could doing some research help you feel more relaxed? Discover how to manage your worries in fun ways that will help you take on big challenges and daily tasks with a healthier, happier mindset."--

Anxiety is a normal part of childhood. Every child goes through phases of it. Using practical examples and interactive text, this picture book shows the kinds of worries facing many children today and explores how their fears might be overcome. It includes a helpful section with advice, practical tips, and activities for caregivers and teachers.

"At This Very Moment is a beautifully poetic bedtime book for children ages 2 and up. Using simple but evocative language, it describes all the wonderful things that are going on around the world right now, this very second. In doing so, it asks the young reader to be present in this moment in time and to feel at one with the giant, magnificent organism that is our planet"--Publisher's description.

"Some change happens right before your eyes, while other transformations happen so slowly that you won't notice them in your lifetime. And you change too, just like everything else in nature--growing, learning and changing your thoughts and feelings. All Things Change is a lyrical and beautifully illustrated book looking at the many different processes of change in the natural world, covering geology, ecology, biology and more. It also embraces the philosophical topic of change--how do we approach changes that make us feel sad? How do we cope with changes we can't control? Ideal for children to explore independently or with parents, it holds a special appeal for anyone struggling to find stability in a rapidly changing world"--

Children are used to hearing about how important it is to protect nature, but they may not fully understand how the natural world can positively impact their emotional wellbeing. With that in mind, this book looks to show children how nature can be fun, uplifting, consoling and even offer companionship.

"Some animals sleep alone. Others sleep in packs. Some slumber at night, and others prefer the daytime for getting some z's. Whether large or small, familiar or unusual, all animals must find a way to get some rest. Did you know that giraffes sleep standing up? That sloths sleep upside down? Or that fish sleep with their eyes open? Take a close look at the sleeping habits of meerkats, bats, horses, birds, and other animals around the world in a book for young nature enthusiasts that is certain to spark a sense of wonder. All animals sleep. But do they dream? Facts inspire imaginations in a beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book for curious young minds."--

"A tough day, a bad dream, a scary noise & these are just a few of the things that can keep kids wide awake and frightened after dark. But Mama Sloth knows the secrets for calming worried minds and getting to sleepand as she shares them with her daughter, young readers will learn valuable relaxation skills that last a lifetime."--

"Violet Shrink doesn't like parties. Or bashes, or gatherings. Lots of people and lots of noise make Violet's tummy ache and her hands sweat. She would much rather spend time on her own, watching the birds in her backyard, reading comics or listening to music through her purple headphones. The problem is that the whole Shrink family loves parties with loud music and games and dancing. At cousin Char's birthday party, Violet hides under a table and imagines she is a shark gliding effortlessly through the water, looking for food. And at Auntie Marlene and Uncle Leli's anniversary bash, Violet sits alone at the top of the stairs, imagining she is a slithering snake way up in the branches. When Violet learns that the Shrink family reunion is fast approaching, she musters up the courage to have a talk with her dad. In this thoughtful story about understanding and acceptance, Violet's natural introversion and feelings of social anxiety are normalized when she and her father reach a solution together. Christine Baldacchino's warm text demonstrates the role imagination often plays for children dealing with anxiety, and the power of a child expressing their feelings to a parent who is there to listen. Carmen Mok's charming illustrations perfectly capture Violet's emotions and the vibrancy of her imagination. A valuable contribution to books addressing mental health."--

"Heartbreakingly honest and quietly funny, this #ownvoices graphic novel from a debut creator is a refreshingly real exploration of mental health, cultural differences, and the trials of middle school. Livy is already having trouble fitting in as the new girl at school--and then there's Viola. Viola is Livy's anxiety brought to life, a shadowy twin that only Livy can see or hear. Livy tries to push back against Viola's relentless judgment, but nothing seems to work until she strikes up new friendships at school. Livy hopes that Viola's days are numbered. But when tensions arise both at home and at school, Viola rears her head stronger than ever. Only when Livy learns how to ask for help and face her anxiety does she finally figure out living with Viola. Rosena Fung draws on her own early experiences with anxiety and the pressures of growing up as the child of Chinese immigrant parents to craft a charming, deeply personal story that combines the poignancy of Raina Telgemeier's Guts with the wacky humor of Lumberjanes. Exuberant, colorful art brings Livy's rich imaginative world--filled with everything from sentient dumplings to flying unicorns--to life on the page."--

"Isabelle is a shy little girl who loves to play. While everyone plays or works together, Isabelle always stands aside. When she gets a new button from her aunt, she considers it a treasure. Her special button reminds her to be proud and courageous. With the help of her new button, Isabelle begins to see that making friends isn't as scary as it seems."--

"Inspired by a mantra written for her third-graders, Jasmyn Wright's uplifting call to "push through" is an invitation to young readers to announce their own power and to recognize and reaffirm that of others, regardless of setbacks. By diminishing doubt, encouraging community, and reaffirming that we're all here to make a difference, her empowering words show children how to lift themselves up and seize their potential"--

"Everyone feels scared or worried sometimes. Being resilient means being able to cope with times when you feel unsure of yourself or when you are going through a situation that makes you feel anxious. This book offers tips on how to boost your self-esteem and reduce your stress."--