Looking to start the new year on a calmer note? Check out this list of yoga and mindfulness books for kids, hand-picked by our Youth Services Department staff!
Yoga and mindfulness for children promotes resilience, positive perceptions, good health habits and mindful awareness, empowering children to excel at school, at home, and in life.
All of the titles featured here we have in our collection. To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image or button to the right of the description.
Sloth at the Zoom
by Helaine Becker
Sloth is a sloooooow creature. She’s supposed to be going to the Zzzzzoo, but is mistakenly delivered to the ZOOM! She wants to make friends in her new home, but it seems like all the animals here are always busy, late, and in a rush. Finally, the sloth meets someone more to her speed: a tiny snail who invites the sloth down for a cup of tea. The friendship of these two animals is surprising and delightful enough to stop all the other animals in their tracks. And as day became night, and night became day, the animals at the ZOOM! slowed down–j̥ust long enough, that is, to all become fast friends. A lovely story of mindfulness in an over-stimulated world! Kids will relate to being rushed around and longing for the undivided attention of the people around them.
Meddy Teddy: A Mindful Yoga Journey
by Apple Jordan
Meddy encourages readers to try yoga poses as he comes out of hibernation, greets the springtime, and teaches his forest friends how to mindfully get through a variety of situations. On each page, Meddy shows how to execute a pose, including downward-facing dog, tree pose, the Warrior, and more.
Hurry up!: A Book About Slowing Down
by Kate Dopirak
For one busy boy, life is all hurry up, hurry down, hurry round and round and round! That is until he takes a big breath…and a big break…and slows down to see all the wonderful things in the world around him.
Straw
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
A bendy drinking straw loves to speed through life, but he learns to appreciate taking it slow with the help of a friend.
Already A Butterfly: A Meditation Story
by Julia Alvarez
A too busy butterfly who spends her day hurrying and worrying finds her own “quiet place” after learning about meditation and mindfulness from a flower bud.
Good Morning Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Wake-up Story
by Mariam Gates
Yoga helps children learn how to focus, relax, and both self-monitor and self-soothe. [This book] instills these four skills and more, enabling children to jumpstart the day with excitement and meet the adventures that come with mindfulness and perspective. Gates presents both a wake-up story and a series of simple poses for welcoming the natural world as day begins. It’s practice for kids and parents to begin the day in a calming, mindful way.
Good Night Yoga: Relaxing Bedtime Poses for Children
by Lorena Pajalunga
The perfect book to play yoga with your children and to encourage concentration, calmness and self-confidence. Twenty yoga positions inside inspired by animals and accompanied by step-by-step instructions.
I am! : Affirmations for Resilience
by Bela Barbosa
Ten relatable emotions are each followed by a centering exercise and a positive affirmation to be recited, as a practice in mindfulness. Young readers are encouraged to find their inner strength by recognizing and addressing their emotions, instilling a sense of power and self-confidence.
Yoga Animals: A Wild Introduction to Kid-Friendly Poses
by Paige Towler
Roar like a lion! Arch like a kitten! Stretch like a cobra! Did you know that many yoga poses were inspired by animals? Let these creatures inspire your young ones to get moving, practice mindfulness, or calm down after a long day. Simple step-by-step instructions explain the kid-friendly moves.
Yoga for Kids
by Susannah Hoffman
Teach your kids about yoga and mindfulness with this mindful yoga activity book with more than 50 poses and activities. Yoga is a great way to teach children about relaxation, meditation, and peace – while having fun at the same time. This book is packed with yoga activities for kids and mindful games – they can stretch into tree pose, bend into butterfly pose, learn how to make a mindfulness jar, and find out why and how we should stretch through a series of fun yoga poses and sequences.
Mindful Games: Sharing Mindfulness and Meditation with Children, Teens, and Families
by Susan Kaiser Greenland
Encourages parents to use mindful play to help their children develop focusing skills while learning to regulate their emotions and respond to any situation calmly, with kindness and compassion.
Llamaste & Friends: Being Kind Through Yoga
by Annabel Tempest
Meet Llamaste, a llama who loves yoga! Join her in this funny, sweet story as she helps Tiger calm down and Koala be brave by showing them simple, practical yoga poses. The easy-to-use text also encourages children to explore their emotions and develop empathy skills. All of Llamaste’s poses are designed to help parents and children to begin their own yoga practice at home!
Want more recommendations?
You can check out all of our online booklists (for kids and for adults), or reach out to us! Our staff is ready and willing to make reading, listening, or viewing recommendations to you! Email us at reference@benlib.org or contact us via our online form!
