Book Review of Forest Bath
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The Children’s Book Review
Forest Bath
Written by Jen Barton
Illustrated by Felishia Henditirto
Ages: 4-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Magination Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1433847462
What to Expect: Nature, mindfulness, emotional regulation, sensory awareness.
Grounded in the Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, this calming, peaceful picture book takes readers along as the main character enjoys some restorative sensory immersion.
What do you think of when you think of taking a bath? Do you think of wriggling your toes in the mud or hunting for spongy mushrooms? Do you think of holding your breath when you meet a skunk under a log, or soaking for long, peaceful hours in the sunlight streaking between the trees? When you take a forest bath, you don’t clean your body with water and soap—you clean your spirit with the sights, sounds, scents, and sensations of the forest. And just like a real bath, a forest bath will leave you feeling bright and sparkly clean!
In a visual feast of deep greens, golds, and browns, the artwork perfectly captures the dappled light of a shady forest. It also shows the forest from the child’s perspective and literal viewpoint, inviting the reader to explore it at eye level, just as the protagonist does.
Playful and curious, the sweet protagonist is depicted as completely at home in the forest, exploring everything around her with all of her senses, emphasizing getting dirty, enjoying play, and interacting with nature, making the abstract concept of forest bathing feel real and accessible to young readers. An informational page and an activity list at the end of the book encourage readers to try forest bathing for themselves, while the bibliography provides solid scholarly evidence for its benefits, as well as some kid-friendly further reading.
Delightfully highlighting how engaging with nature can promote relaxation, curiosity, and sensory development, Forest Bath is a valuable resource for early childhood education libraries, homes, and outdoor enthusiasts—the emphasis on creative play and its simple, accessible text make this book the perfect introduction to forest bathing.
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About the Author
Jen Barton loves growing flowers and food, and the sound of dry leaves crunching in the woods. Jen lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their dog, Izzy, who hates washing between her toes. A short girl with a tall imagination, Jen is the author of many books for kids, including Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX.
You can find more about her at jbartonbooks.com.
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