Mindful Self Management

by Gabi Garcia

Children learn what they practice. This book guides children through the practice of naming their feelings and the sensations that accompany them. Engages children in easy, kid-friendly mindfulness activities.Helps kids build on their capacity to be mindful, self-regulate, and develop emotional resilience.

by Kira Wiley

A beautifully illustrated collection of mindfulness exercises designed to teach kids techniques for managing their bodies, breath, and emotions. Best of all, these 30 simple, short breathing practices and movements can be performed anytime, anywhere: in the car to the grocery store, during heavy homework nights at home, or even at a child’s desk at school.

by Andrew Jordan Nance

In this picture book for children and adults, illustrated by Jim Durk, who is adored by thousands of children for his many Clifford the Big Red Dog and Thomas the Steam Engine books, a young boy discovers his mind is like a puppy, always wandering away, into the past or the future. He sets about learning to train his puppy mind to heel to the present moment.

by Susan Verde

When the world feels chaotic, find peace within through an accessible mindfulness practice from the bestselling picture-book dream team that brought us I Am Yoga. Express emotions through direct speech. Find empathy through imagination. Connect with the earth. Wonder at the beauty of the natural world. Breathe, taste, smell, touch, and be present.

by Thich Nhat Hahn

Pebble meditation is a playful and fun activity that parents and educators can do with their children to introduce them to meditation. It is designed to involve children in a hands-on and creative way that touches on their interconnection with nature. Practicing pebble meditation can help relieve stress, increase concentration, nourish gratitude, and can help children deal with difficult emotions.

by Kellie Doyle Bailey

Follow third-grader Max as he develops self-awareness of his emotions by learning Mindfulness techniques. At school, on the playground, and at home, Max develops skills not to flip his lid when he is scared, worried, sad, or upset. A colourful and delightful story for the classroom, at bedtime or whenever your child needs a mindful reminder to be a calm, cool kid. Includes bonus material for educators, parents, and caregivers.

by Julia Denos

Explore identity and connection, inspire curiosity, and prompt engaging discussions about the here and now.

by Susan Verde

Yoga has the power of transformation. Not only does it strengthen bodies and calm minds, but with a little imagination, it can show us that anything is possible. This book is about creativity and the power of self-expression. I Am Yoga encourages children to explore the world of Yoga and make room in their hearts for the world beyond it.

Song and poses to accompany book.

by Rana Diorio

Follow a group of friends at school, at home, and at the beach as they experience just what it means to be present.

by Nick Ortner

Sometimes it’s hard to feel happy. With this interactive picture book, children breathe along as they learn how to make angry or sad thoughts disappear.

by Keery Lee MacLean

Peter the cow is having a BAD day. After missing the bus and wiping out on his bike he loses his temper and gets in trouble. To make matters worse all the other kids are teasing him, calling him Moody Cow. Peter’s day just seems to get worse until his grandfather comes over and teaches him how to settle his mind and let go of his frustration through a simple and fun exercise.

by Whitney Stewart

This guide introduces kids to mindfulness as a way to find clarity, manage stress, handle difficult emotions, and navigate personal challenges. With step-by-step instructions to over thirty breathing, relaxation, and guided meditation exercises, readers will have an entire toolkit at their disposal and writing prompts will help them process their discoveries.

by Jon Muth

“Michael,” said Karl. “There’s a really big bear in the backyard.” This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth — and Stillwater the bear — present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

by Jon Muth

Summer has arrived – and so has Koo, Stillwater’s haiku-speaking young nephew. And when Stillwater encourages Koo, and his friends Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy old neighbor in need, their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways. Zen Ties is a disarming story of compassion and friendship that reaffirms the importance of our ties to one another.

by Jon Muth

On Halloween, Stillwater the panda, who dons a spooky costume and mask, promises his friends Addy, Michael, and Karl a spine-tingling ghost story to be told by a mysterious storyteller.The storyteller – who looks remarkably like Stillwater – tells the children an unforgettable ancient Zen tale.

by Douglas Wood

When it was first published a decade ago, Old Turtle was hailed as a uniquely satisfying, beautifully imagined fable about ecology, peace, and the interconnectedness of all beings. Its appeal continues to this day for both children and adults. Winner of the American Booksellers Association Book of the Year and the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award, Old Turtle is a modern classic that lovingly promotes peace, environmental awareness, and spirituality.

by Douglas Wood

In this profoundly moving fable, the earth and all its creatures are suffering, for the people will not share their Truth, which gives them happiness and power, with those who are different from them. Then one brave Little Girl seeks the wisdom of the ancient Old Turtle. Old Turtle shows the girl the missing part of the Truth, and the Little Girl returns with it to her people. Then the pieces are brought together, and the broken Truth is made whole at last: YOU ARE LOVED… AND SO ARE THEY. Then the people and the earth are healed.

by Douglas Wood

Words of wisdom, compassion, and hope in this companion to New York Times bestseller Old Turtle.Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? How do we find happiness? Once again, Old Turtle’s wise answers offer readers of all ages inspiration, solace, and the most important gift of all – hope.

by Micki Fine Pavlicek

May All People and Pigs Be Happy follows seven-year-old Claire and her stuffed animal Pigalina. From Pigalina, Claire learns a simple meditation that helps her to feel kinder toward herself and spread caring and love to others. The loving-kindness meditation can be practiced by anyone regardless of religion to cultivate loving presence, friendship, tenderness, and love. This book is perfect for those with or without a background in the loving-kindness meditation.

by Diane Alber

When the world feels overwhelming, find your PEACEFUL SPOT with this mindful story! Learn how to identify your emotions and bring them to your CALM, PEACEFUL SPOT. This book is perfect for the classroom or at home too!

by Alicia Ortego

Breathing is My Superpower teaches children to regulate their emotions, especially if they are feeling upset, angry, or stressed.  Sofia will show your little ones how to control their breathing in various situations, whether at school, at home, or on the playground.  The “Five Breathing Technique” presented in the book, will help calm your children and show them a fun way of managing their own body, breath, and emotions.

by Andrea Down

The mindfulness how-to book you need to help your child have a calm and peaceful body and mind. In this fun and delightfully charming book, your child will follow a gender-neutral character through an easy-to-understand, step-by-step mindfulness practice. Written and illustrated by a therapist (and mother), Andrea Dorn, MSW, this simple yet very intentionally written book introduces the concept of mindfulness with a first-person, mantra-like narrative that will help your child build greater awareness of their body and emotions. Thoughtfully included for caregivers are – Optional engagement questions to build connection and personalize the reading experience – Short child and caregiver meditations – Tips on how to help your child develop their mindfulness practice 

by Kerry Lee MacLean

What can you do when you’re mad, sad, or anxious? Find a quiet spot, sit, and breathe. When you meditate every day, your mind stays happy, and even bad days are a little easier.

by Eline Snel

This book is an introduction to mindfulness meditation for children. It describes what mindfulness is and how mindfulness-based practices can help children calm down, become more focused, fall asleep more easily, alleviate worry, manage anger, and generally become more patient and aware.

by The Hawn Foundation

This research-based curriculum features 15 lessons that use the latest information about the brain to dramatically improve behavior and learning for all students. Each lesson offers easy strategies for helping students focus their attention, improve their self-regulation skills, build resilience to stress, and develop a positive mind-set in both school and life. The lessons fit easily into any schedule and require minimal preparation. Classroom management tips and content-area activities help you extend the benefits of MindUP throughout your day, week, and year.

by The Hawn Foundation

This research-based curriculum features 15 lessons that use the latest information about the brain to dramatically improve behavior and learning for all students. Each lesson offers easy strategies for helping students focus their attention, improve their self-regulation skills, build resilience to stress, and develop a positive mind-set in both school and life. The lessons fit easily into any schedule and require minimal preparation. Classroom management tips and content-area activities help you extend the benefits of MindUP throughout your day, week, and year.

by The Hawn Foundation

This research-based curriculum features 15 lessons that use the latest information about the brain to dramatically improve behavior and learning for all students. Each lesson offers easy strategies for helping students focus their attention, improve their self-regulation skills, build resilience to stress, and develop a positive mind-set in both school and life. The lessons fit easily into any schedule and require minimal preparation. Classroom management tips and content-area activities help you extend the benefits of MindUP throughout your day, week, and year.

by Susan Kaiser Greenland

Susan Kaiser Greenland includes fifty mindfulness games that develop what she calls the “new A, B, C’s” for learning and for a happy and successful life: Attention, Balance, and Compassion. The games introduce kids to breathing practices and techniques for developing focus, concentration, and sensory awareness, and identifying and self-regulating emotions, among others skills. They include “anchor” games that develop concentration; visualization games that encourage kindness and focus; analytical games that cultivate clear thinking; and awareness games that develop all of these qualities and give greater insight into ourselves, others, and relationships.