Children’s Literature Connected to Mindfulness
Anh’s Anger, by Gail Silver
When Ahn gets angry, his grandfather encourages him to “sit with his anger” and work through his emotions. Anger becomes a central character in the story in order to illustrate for children how they can effectively manage their strong emotions.
Charlotte and the Quiet Place, by Deborah Sosin
In a city full of noise and distraction, Charlotte finds quiet in an unexpected place.
AWARDS: 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award – Gold Winner, 2016 Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) – Silver Medal Winner, 2015 National Parenting Publications (NPPA) – Bronze Award Winner
Everybody Needs a Rock, by Byrd Baylor
A guide to finding the perfect rock to hold on to in order to keep yourself calm.
The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story, by Uma Krishnaswami
Learning some basic Yoga practices helps a student stay calm and focused, especially in school.
If you Find a Rock, by Peggy Christian
By engaging senses, emotions, and experiences, this book invites children to pay mindful attention to the many different kinds of rocks in their environment.
The Lemonade Hurricane: A story of mindfulness and meditation, by Licia Morelli
Emma tries to teach her little brother how to slow down and be still. She shares some basic mindfulness practices with him in order to help him be less like a hurricane of activity.
The Listening Walk, by Paul Showers
During a walk with her father and her dog, a little girl intentionally keeps quiet and shifts her attention to all the sounds around her.
Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda, by Lauren Aldefer
Panda teaches Monkey about paying attention to what is happening in the moment, instead of letting thoughts jump around from one thing to another.
Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen
A young girl learns how to be comfortable with quiet and the practice of waiting as she anticipates the appearance of an owl in the moonlight.
Peaceful Piggy Meditation, by Kerry Lee MacLean
Facing stressful situations at home or at school is easier if one knows how to breathe and stay calm.
The Quiet Book, by Deborah Underwood
This book invites the reader to pay attention to the many kinds of quiet in our lives.
AWARDS: 2011 ALA Notable Children's Book, 2010–2011 New York Times bestseller, 2011 CCBC Choices, 2011 NCTE Notable Children's Trade Book, 2010 New York Times Notable Book, 2010 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, 2010 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Silence, by Lemniscates
Paying attention in the moment is one way to practice mindfulness. Silence invites readers to pause, listen, and reflect on their experiences and the world around them.
The Sound of Silence, by Katrina Goldsaito
A young boy expands his concept of silence while setting out to find his favorite sound in an urban setting.
Steps and Stones - An Anh's Anger Story, by Gail Silver
Ahn learns how to pause and give himself time to manage his strong feelings before he responds to classmates in an unsafe way.
Step Gently Out, by Helen Frost
Close-up photographs of the natural world model for us some ways to experience the natural world differently. If we slow down, and pay attention, we’ll see things from a fresh perspective.
Zen Shorts, by Jon Muth
Stillwater, the bear, teaches some children how to pause, reflect, and manage their emotions in confusing or stressful situations.