Five Family Favorites with Mariam Gates, Author of Good Morning Yoga

Mariam Gates | The Children’s Book Review | March 11, 2016

I grew up on the floor of my godmother’s study surrounded by stories. (Author Doris Gates’ Little Vic, Blue Willow). Her bookcases stood floor to ceiling and she’d let me pull as many books as I liked off the shelves and stack them beside me to read for hours. Now my kids do the same and our bookcases are overflowing with beloved texts. Here are five family favorites that we always come back to:

Sweet Dream Pie

Written by Audrey Wood

Illustrated by Mark Teague

This book brings you right into the dream-like quality of a sleepy neighborhood and the fantastic events that occur.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Blue Sky Press | 1998 | ISBN-13: 978-0590962049

Eloise Takes a Bawth

Written by Kay Thompson & Mart Crowley

Illustrated by Hilary Knight

Eloise is always the perfect combination of imagination and chaos—but in the best way.

Ages 5-9 | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers | 2002 | ISBN-13: 978-0689842887

There’s a Monster at the End of This Book: Staring Lovable, Furry Old Grover

Written by Jon Stone

Illustrated by Michael Smollin

This has been a beloved book for many years. I remember reading it when I was a kid. We love the humor and the interaction with Grover throughout is wonderfully done for young readers.

Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Golden Books | 2003 (2nd edition) | ISBN-13: 978-0307010858

Skippyjon Jones

Written and Illustrated by Judy Schachner

Such a great read-aloud and full of the amazing adventures of this kitten who imagines he is a Chihuahua on incredible adventures.

Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Puffin Books | 2005 (Reprint) | ISBN-13: 978-0142404034

The Dot

Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

What a perfect way to re-frame self-doubt and the idea that we all have a contribution to make! Simple + touching.

Ages 5+ | Publisher: Candlewick | 2003 | ISBN-13: 978-0763619619

About Mariam Gates

Mariam Gates holds a master’s in education from Harvard University and has more than twenty years’ experience working with children. Her renowned Kid Power Yoga program combines her love of yoga with teaching to help children access their inner gifts. She is the author of Good Night Yoga (Sounds True, April 2015), and lives in Santa Cruz, CA, with her husband, yoga teacher Rolf Gates, and their two children. For more information, visit:

MariamGates.com | Twitter | Instagram

Good Morning Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Wake Up Story

Written by Mariam Gates

Illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder

Publisher’s Synopsis: This “wake up” story is so much more than a story. It’s a practice for kids and parents to greet the morning with joy and embark on their daily adventures with intention and confidence. Turn the page and reach up to the sky, press your feet into the earth, and get ready for a great day!

Calm and awake, “I can do this!”

is all I need to say.

A deep breath in, a long breath out—

I am ready for the day!

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Sounds True | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1622036028

Good Morning Yoga Book Trailer

Fun Stuff

Encourage yoga time in your home, bookstore, classroom, or library with this downloadable kit!

Yoga Story Hour Kit by Sarah Shealy

Good Morning Yoga Book Giveaway

Enter to win both yoga books by Mariam Gates, GOOD MORNING YOGA and GOOD NIGHT YOGA, along with a full-color poster!

One (1) winner receives:

• A copy of Good Morning Yoga
• A copy of Good Night Yoga
• A full-color poster

Age Range: 4-8

Hardcover: 36 pages

Giveaway begins March 11, 2016, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends April 10, 2016, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Click here for the entry form!

Mariam Gates, author of Good Morning Yoga, selected these five family favorites. Discover more articles on The Children’s Book Review tagged with Family Favorites, Mariam Gates, Sarah Jane Hinder and Yoga.