Review of Mop Rides the Waves of Life | The Children’s Book Review
Mop Rides the Waves of Life
Written by Jaimal Yogis
Illustrated by Matthew Allen
Ages 5-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Plum Blossom | ISBN-13 : 978-1946764607
Just as the ocean’s waves rise and fall, childhood brings an array of emotions that range from calm to stormy. In this brilliant picture book, young readers can learn to ride the waves of life with a rad young surfer named Mop. Filled sublimely with an actionable lesson in mindfulness, Mop Rides the Waves of Life is sure to be a hit with fans of the classic story Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Mop has a great head of hair and he loves to surf—a lot! Paddling, duck-diving, and waiting for just the right wave to ride. He likes school, too, but sometimes managing classmate relations can be a challenge. When Mom, also a surfer, suggests he can learn to surf life—Mop is not so sure about that. But soon, he knows that stormy waves are natural. He can breathe and let them pass because, just like the ocean, the mind is continually changing. There are always more good waves on the way. “Ride the good waves, and let the bad ones cruise by.” Mop learns to ride the waves of life.
Using surfing as an analogy, author and surfer-journalist-dad Jaimal Yogis successfully highlights and connects the reader to the mindful practice of allowing the bad waves (moments of upheaval) to roll on by to allow for the enjoyment of the good waves that are sure to follow. Matthew Allen’s creative art has a significant retro yet modern appeal that adds to the swell of emotions and connection that the reader feels toward Mop and his glorious hair.
There are a limited number of kids’ picture books centered around surfing, and Mop Rides the Waves of Life fills the void as perfectly as the surfer’s dream of glassy conditions with an offshore wind. Don’t be surprised if this is the book that your dawn patroller asks you to read first thing in the morning. With their words and art, both Yogis and Allen have created a picture book that any little grommet will feel stoked to read. Highly Recommended.
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About the Author
Jaimal Yogis is the author of numerous books including Saltwater Buddha and All Our Waves Are Water, which was named a “Best Beach Read of 2017” by the BBC. His work has been featured in the pages of O, the Oprah Magazine, Outside, Forbes, The Atlantic, ESPN Magazine, and many others. He lives and surfs in San Francisco with his wife, Amy DuRoss, and their three sons.
For more information, visit: https://jaimalyogis.net/
About the Illustrator
Matthew Allen is a surfer and artist from Southern California. A former Surfer Magazine Art Director, Matthew now spends his days creating art based on his favorite muses, the mercurial sea and the amalgam of people and vessels that operate in and around it. Matthew lives in Costa Mesa, California.
Mop Rides the Waves of Life, written by Jaimal Yogis and illustrated by Matthew Allen, was reviewed by Bianca Schulze. Discover more books like Rent a Boyfriend by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Emotions & Behavior, Feelings, Life Lessons, Picture Book, and Surfing Books.
