Take a Moment: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kids

K-Gr 4–While categorized as a picture book, this volume holds activities that can be simplified or expanded, depending on the age range of the classroom or group. Whether doing basic breathing exercises or noticing how toes wriggle, children will find the instructions accessible, especially in collaboration with a guiding adult. The six sections—Mindful Breathing, Mindful Listening, Mindful Looking, Mindful Emotions, Mindful Awareness, and Mindful Appreciation—do not really indicate the massive amount of information within, but this is not stated as a fault. Children are reminded to stretch, concentrate on, notice, or move every single digit and limb, their spines, necks, and feet. They are asked to write down three good things, to “find the kind,” to “share the care,” and show appreciation in small acts all day long. While most of the people in the book are children, Hoskins’s art features a diverse lot in color, garb, and age, ranging from smaller elementary children to those who lean toward middle schoolers. These are funny, playful, helpful scenes that make the intentions of each activity inviting and comprehensible. In the digital galley, there are Briticisms, such as carer for caregiver, or lorry for truck, but all of these appear in context. Back matter includes notes for parents and caregivers, notes for teachers, a glossary, further information, and index.