Categories: Feelings, Gratitude, Kindness, Resilience / adaptability

Happy: A Children’s Book of Mindfulness

A comforting book which introduces mindfulness practice in a accessible way.

Author: Nicola Edwards
Illustrator: Katie Hickey
Publisher: Caterpillar Books

The basic foundations of mindfulness are expressed in child friendly terms in this book. The use of a simple rhyming structure discussing simple sources of happiness is comforting. The narrative is supported by suggestions or questions for the reader to encourage mindfulness based practice in an accessible way. The illustrations support the calming and warm tone of the book.

This video link is provided to help an adult assess the book's suitability for a child's situation before purchasing it. It has been filmed by a third party and hosted on YouTube and is not made by Little Parachutes. More info

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

This book acknowledges that negative feelings are normal, and suggests ways of managing them from a mindfulness perspective; acknowledging that they are present, and letting them go.
This book seeks to promote connectedness to the world around us, but acknowledges that we are not expected to be mindful all the time.

Guidance:

Some relaxation strategies are suggested, alongside questions which encourage positivity.
These suggestions could be used independently of the book, if they are found to be helpful. The story could also be used as a simple guided meditation.

Review by: Cleo Allan