Mindfulness is in every day life; the books we read with children, or encourage children to read -- in any genre -- can reflect mindfulness. This list collects children's book titles that may help bring mindfulness to its fullest lived experience. The list also highlights offerings from people of color and others that reflect the diverse backgrounds of San Franciscans.
Written by the founder of Mindful Arts San Francisco, and foundational to the program volunteers are using today in San Francisco public schools, this lively book introduces mindfulness and mindful practices to young readers. In…
This is a beautiful and well considered book. The art is accessible and affirming, seeming snapshots arrayed with each haiku to encourage young readers to bring the work into their own worlds. The illustrator/editor generously provides…
George is clear on her inner experience, but what happens when no one outside recognizes or mirrors her? This is quintessentially a job for mindfulness! For the transgender protagonist, what is the influence of kindness? Lovely light…
"We are not figuratively, but literally stardust" says Neil deGrasse Tyson. In this luscious picture book for young scientists our narrator, the sun, helps us see that everything is interconnected, through the many ways we transform light…
Young CJ sees the ordinary around him, feels his frustrations and desire for things to be different, but with his Nana as mindful guide, his extraordinary city opens up before him. Adult readers as well as young will identify with CJ and…
The story of Harriet Tubman, written by artist Jacob Lawrence. The paintings feel three dimensional, immersive. The language is remarkable and part of its greatness. The story is told in the imperative - "Harriet, clean; Harriet sweep."…
A wonderful book for talking with children about mindfulness! Sophie notices so many things - how her favorite tree makes her feel, what it looks like, how the leaves glow in the sun. There's one page in the book where Sophie also very…
Sensing the body, awareness of the body, can be a great resource for mindfulness. This fun book uses the song "Dry Bones" (see https://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2015/10/25/the-story-behind-the-dry-bones-song/) to teach about…
