Sponsored* | The Children’s Book Review
5 Mindfulness and Meditation Books for Kids
If you’re looking for books with child-friendly visualizations or methods for helping kids discover how they can slow down, breathe, become aware of their bodies both mentally and physically, and fall asleep and stay asleep easier, then this list of books is exactly what you’re looking for. You’ll discover guided visualizations that will spark imagination and encourage restful relaxation, an alphabetic introduction to mindfulness and breath awareness, as well as exercises designed to teach kids techniques for taking ownership of their bodies and emotions.
Take a breath. Inhale. Exhale. Read your way to a calmer day and don’t forget to be the calm you want to see in your child.
Written by Mariam Gates
Illustrated by Leigh Standley
Whether you’re looking for a way to enhance or aid in a positive and relaxing bedtime experience, these eight visualizations from Mariam Gates are a fantastic way to wind down after a busy day. The guided narratives encourage and inspire the kiddos to practice their breathing techniques while taking them on imaginative journeys to a rainforest, to the moon, a meadow, or underwater. In some of the visualizations the child is encouraged to blow wish bubbles, make it rain, or fly a kite. Leigh Standley’s illustrations are light, lovely and breathy, effortlessly complimenting the creativity behind Gates’ delightful and mindful imagery.
Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Sounds True | July 2, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1683641704
Written by
The younger set will readily engage in this playfully peaceful alphabet primer of 26 ways to take a breath. From ‘Alligator Breath to Redwood Breath to Zzzz Breath, kids will happily snap their arms together, reach high to the sky like a tree, and close their eyes for the finale of zzzz … all while discovering the joy and peace a deep breath can provide. Try them all or pick a favorite, from butterflies to ninjas, there’s a breath style sure to suit every child. The blissful illustrations show a beautifully diverse cast of children demonstrating how to achieve each breath. Adorable mouths open wide and a wisp of breath escapes.
Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Ages 3-8 | Publisher: Sounds True | May 28, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1683641971
Written by Kira Willey
Illustrated by
Here’s a book with 30 more ways to take a breath. Kira Willey, an award-winning songwriter, shares short visualizations to go along with each of the breathing styles; such as Bear Breath and Hot Chocolate Breath. The text is lyrical and the illustrations are inviting, making this is fun choice as an introduction to mindfulness.
Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Rodale Kids | December 5, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1623368838
Written by Mariam Gates
Illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder
Our breath is our own special superpower—the answer to finding our calm—but it can feel tricky to master in a minute of mayhem. Unless you have a copy of Breathe with Me, that is! This lushly illustrated picture book is filled with delightful breathing practices that will have kids readily inhaling and exhaling … feeling calmer in no time. Practice them all or pick a favorite. Either way, readers of this excellent book will be equipped with just the right tool for easing a worrying or stormy moment.
Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Sounds True | January 1, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1683640301
Written by Whitney Stewart
Illustrated by Stacy Peterson
Between home life, school life and social life, tweens and teens can often find themselves feeling overwhelmed. Mindful Me will appeal to this older set with busier lives. Whitney Stewart’s reassuring and relatable book introduces mindfulness as way to manage stress, find focus, and handle difficult situations and emotions. There are over thirty practical and inspiring breathing, relaxation, and guided meditation exercises to engage and equip tweens with a useful set of tools they can use for life.
Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Ages 9-12 | Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company | April 3, 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-0807551448
Header image is from Sweet Dreams: Bedtime Visualizations (Sounds True, 2019), written by Mariam Gates and illustrated by Leigh Standley. The article 5 Books to Help Kids Find Calm Through Breathing and Visualization was curated by The Children’s Book Review and sponsored* by Sounds True. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Meditation Books, Mindfulness, and Sounds True.