Breathe and Be

October 1, 2017

K-Gr 3-These 14 original tanka poems introduce children to the concept of mindfulness and incorporate meditation practices. The first poem sets the tone, encouraging readers to breathe in and out for "My breath/is a river of peace." While the poems are independent of each other, their stark beauty and personification of nature unify the work. Each powerful emotion conveyed through figurative language, whether it is anxiety, doubt, fear, or anger, is reinforced with expressive watercolors. When Coombs offers advice for "Thoughts [that] flutter and dart like birds," the illustration reveals a young girl's troubled backward glance at her kite stuck in a tree that is overwhelmed by brightly hued birds. It is a staggering image, to see thoughts made manifest in such numbers, but the scene provides a sense of serenity as the girl leaves her footprints behind in the snow. It is recognizing the words "There is time to breathe and be" within the poem as well as the stillness in the illustration that helps to release the tension inherent in the birds and thoughts. The harmony between children and their environment, along with the inclusion of minute details in the artwork, instills a sense of wonder as each panel challenges readers to dwell in the moment. It is the same message conveyed in the poetry. An author's note explains mindfulness as a concept and provides a definition of the tanka form. Pair with Kerry Lee MacLean's Peaceful Piggy Meditation and Mariam Gates's Good Night Yoga. VERDICT A serene collection celebrating nature and the importance of mindfulness, and a swell addition to poetry shelves.-Rachel Zuffa, Racine Public Library, WI

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2017
Several ethnically diverse children interact with a northern landscape, closely observing and imagining themselves as various flora and fauna. Each spread depicts the children in relaxed or playful poses, accompanied by meditative, first-person tankas expressing various mindfulness sentiments appropriate to the illustration. Through the poems, the narrator's relationship to the environment is analyzed: thoughts are observed and flow like "little fish. / They shine blue, green, red, yellow." The narrator's breath is "a river of peace." Through the illustrations, the child's relationship with nature is a refuge or a way of moderating harmful or disturbing thoughts and feelings--whatever is going on in nature, the constancy of selfhood shines through: "Sometimes I'm a cloud...a mountain or a stone...but I am always me." Nature provides reassurance in times of trouble and allows disruptive moods and angry thoughts to be moderated and transformed into peaceful mindfulness. Through observing nature, we can learn to be in the moment: "Today is real. Here now, / this minute, the true wings." Finnish artist Laitinen's delicate, detailed pen-and-watercolor illustrations of children in nature are well-suited to the contemplative nature of the poems and will work well in the context of a yoga or meditation group for young children or as a gentle, reassuring bedtime story. A successful introduction to the concept of mindfulness for young children. (Picture book/poetry. 4-8)

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