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40 pp.
| Running
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7624-6467-8$14.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-7624-6468-5
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mark Chambers.
If Yoga Frog is "not feeling his happy, froggy self," he does some yoga to feel better. Each brightly colored spread features the pose name in English and Sanskrit, a simple description of what to do, and amusing art of the goggle-eyed, spindly-legged amphibian in the pose. A note to parents and foldout of the frog in the poses ends this child-friendly introduction.
241 pp.
| Dial
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-18662-2$17.99
(3)
YA
Illustrated by
Libby VanderPloeg.
"Your life is only ever happening right here, right now." Gates makes the case to tweens and teens that mindfulness is a way of life and the simplest path to health and happiness. Her chatty guide includes chapters on the practices of mindful breathing, yoga, and meditation, all with easy "try it" activities; "five-day mindfulness challenges" at the end should help readers translate these new skills into a lifestyle. Bib.
32 pp.
| Sounds True
| April, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62203-816-9$17.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-62203-817-6
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Sarah Jane Hinder.
Well-known yogis, Miriam and Rolf Gates collaborate on this book, which focuses on poses done by partners. Friendly illustrations complement the very simple rhyming descriptions, and additional text at book's end shows pairs how to segue from one position to the next (e.g., from "heart" to "double warrior"). Young yoga-averse readers may appreciate the book's excuse to team up and socialize.
328 pp.
| Simon
| June, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-0601-8$18.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-0603-2
(3)
YA
Living in the shadow of her troubled mother's reputation, black Bahamian sixteen-year-old Indy is sent away to live with an aunt and uncle in Nassau. A victim of rape (description included) that resulted in pregnancy, Indy is left to fend for herself until she finds acceptance at a yoga-retreat center. Readers will cheer as Indy learns to catch her breath and finds her voice in this powerful, mature coming-of-age novel.
(3)
YA
In this novel based on John Allison's graphic-novel series, three unlikely friends--naive, homeschooled Daisy; jaded, sarcastic Susan; and privileged, goth-y Esther--lean on one another while navigating homesickness, past relationships, and fitting in during their freshman year at a British college. Humor and crazy antics (many involving a cult-like campus yoga club) blend with mystery and adventure to create a hilarious, heartwarming original story in the Giant Days universe.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Susi Schaefer.
Rhyming couplets describe how Lyla "learn[s] yoga from friends at the zoo." Each spread focuses on one animal-named yoga pose as those animals offer safety tips or modifications (camels during camel pose: "Relax your neck!"). The juvenile text and illustration style belie the difficulty of some of the poses, but the amiable picture-book introduction may inspire budding yogis. More on each pose appended.
64 pp.
| Prestel
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-3-7913-7275-4$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Elsa Mroziewicz Bahia.
Fourteen yoga poses are described here, some more commonly seen (e.g., dog, lion) in children's yoga books and others more unusual (e.g., locust, fish). Lovely illustrations and decorated borders accompany each pose, and amusing stick figures help readers understand the step-by-step instructions. The spreads are busy with additional adult-centric text in multiple fonts, but committed yogi parents and caretakers may appreciate the detail.
64 pp.
| Walter Foster
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-63322-319-6$14.95
(3)
4-6
The volume's initial chapters introduce yoga and plug the benefits of practice on the mind, body, and spirit. Rissman then guides young yogis through an "energizing yoga sequence" and a "calming" one, breathing exercises, and beginner mindfulness meditations. The step-by-step instructions and illustrations of each pose are clear and accessible, and the book's encouraging, compassionate tone should help newcomers feel at ease. Websites. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Lee
| May, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62014-192-2$17.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Christina Forshay.
Mei Mei lacks the patience to correctly imitate her grandfather's tai chi; old Gong Gong is short on flexibility when Mei Mei shows him yoga poses she learned in school. Though they don't exactly convey the pace and fluidity of movement in tai chi forms, the book's illustrations are inviting, and playful text usefully describes the two practices (notes on both appended). Bib.
40 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| December, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-242952-0$17.99
(3)
K-3
While Bunny is practicing yoga one morning, his friends Lizard, Fox, and Bird rush by; though he invites each to join him, none is in the right frame of mind. But when a pair of mice copy Bunny's warrior pose, his other friends are enticed. Amicable illustrations with flowy-eared Bunny modeling yoga poses accompany the gentle story. Brief yoga facts are appended.
(4)
YA
Madison isn't much for serious relationships until she starts hanging out with Jesse, a barista in a punk band. Their relationship is hot, if somewhat predictable, and complicated by jealousy and insecurity; Madison is also dealing with family issues and applying to a summer design program. A companion to The Promise of Amazing, this solid romantic read treads comfortably well-worn territory.
(4)
4-6
Built for Success series.
These volumes chronicle the featured innovative corporations' development from modest beginnings to global significance; personalities (CEOs, entrepreneurs), business practices, and controversies are touched on. Each volume includes detailed financial information that may interest future MBA candidates, but these entries in particular won't have wide appeal. The many glossy photographs are a draw, but the too-small font is off-putting. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Built for Success titles: AT&T, Berkshire Hathaway, Lululemon Athletica, and Southwest Airlines.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| December, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-9172-7$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Anna Forlati.
A young boy taking yoga lessons describes each of the eleven "animal" poses he's learned and shows them to his cat (who imitates lion, but not dog). Anyone wanting detailed yoga information should look elsewhere, but the simple approach and welcoming art showing the boy practicing asanas and imagining the animals they're named after should engage a young audience. Tips are appended.
(3)
4-6
Savvy: Yoga for You series.
These two yoga books focus on alignment, breathing, and safety while offering step-by-step instructions for the poses as well as their benefits. Photographs of girls executing the poses illustrate the texts, and, for difficult poses, a smaller inset photo is included with a modification. The clarity of their presentation makes these titles a useful resource for the target audience. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Savvy: Yoga for You titles: Calm Girl and Smart Girl.
(3)
4-6
Savvy: Yoga for You series.
These two yoga books focus on alignment, breathing, and safety while offering step-by-step instructions for the poses as well as their benefits. Photographs of girls executing the poses illustrate the texts, and, for difficult poses, a smaller inset photo is included with a modification. The clarity of their presentation makes these titles a useful resource for the target audience. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Savvy: Yoga for You titles: Calm Girl and Smart Girl.
32 pp.
| Abrams
| September, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-1664-5$14.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Peter H. Reynolds.
A girl navigating modern-day stresses practices various yoga poses to calm her body and mind. One or two sentences are paired with each pose: e.g., for boat, "I can sail on the sea. / I go with the flow." The brief positive affirmations and soothing illustrations are an exercise in mindfulness. The appended instructional author's note provides detailed information about the poses.
32 pp.
| Penguin/Paulsen
| March, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25602-8$16.99
(3)
PS
"Stand / With feet flat / Bend and touch ground / Bottom up! / You are a . . . / . . . Dog." Simple language and kid-friendly illustrations demonstrate both poses and related animals such as butterfly, lion, and cat, as well as mountain pose. Limiting the number of poses to seven, this book is appropriately child-centered in delivering its yoga message.
32 pp.
| Kar-Ben
| February, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8225-8756-9$15.95
(4)
PS
Photographs by
Bill Goldeen.
This book is best for children already familiar with Hebrew and yoga. Each page features a photograph of a yoga-practicing kid demonstrating a pose that loosely resembles the shape of a Hebrew letter (screened in the background). Though the often tenuous connections between letter and pose can be confusing, the active approach and the pages' cheery solid colors are inviting. Glos.
40 pp.
| Cavendish
| March, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5424-3$15.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Janet Hamlin.
Photographs by
Michael Frost.
This book describes and shows--with clear photos of children demonstrating each position--twenty yoga poses, including tree, warrior, and cobra. Each pose is accompanied by its associated feelings (e.g., "strength and confidence") and an affirmation to say while holding each position (e.g., "I feel strong and confident"). This twist makes the book a good step up from the typical yoga-for-tots volumes on the market.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| April, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-6382-3$16.95
(4)
K-3
This book discusses who does yoga and why (e.g., "football players do yoga to get stronger") and also describes eleven positions and their benefits (e.g., "this pose opens your rib cage so you can breathe more deeply"). Although occasionally they don’t sufficiently demonstrate the poses, the illustrations of the floppy-eared piggies are appealing.