12 Mindfulness Books for Parents, Caregivers, & Teachers
I think just about everyone can benefit from a little mindfulness! “Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens” (Greater Good Magazine). This is often easier said than done, but with anxiety, high levels of stress, and mental illness on the rise in children and teens, mindfulness may be able to help some kids.
Mindfulness can help kids worry less, feel calmer and at ease, and allow kids to acknowledge and process their emotions in a safe way. Kids often feel very strong emotions. And many don’t know how to identify the emotion and then what to do with it. They often don’t realize that it’s okay to feel emotions. But how you react to your emotions is the most important part. Not letting emotions drive your reaction to something all the time. All tools that kids (and adults!) can use throughout their lives!
The books in this list are just a few of the many titles that are out there! These titles range from books that are perfect for toddlers all the way through elementary school. You might even be able to use them in middle school if they give it a chance. Some are books on how to practice mindfulness, while others are stories that incorporate mindfulness into the text. Try a few of these titles out and the next time your little one is having a rough time, use a few of the tips you learned to help your little one feel safe and calm!
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12 Mindfulness Books for Parents, Caregivers, & Teachers
ABC Mindful Me by Christiane Engel
From Awareness to Zen, and everything in between, take a deep breath, find some quiet space, and discover the magic of mindfulness! A fun read for the entire family, ABC Mindful Me is not only perfect for teaching toddlers their ABCs, but also for introducing them to key mindfulness tenets which promote physical and mental wellness through breathing, compassion, gratitude, and kindness.
Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard and Daniel Rechtschaffen, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
In Alphabreaths, children will learn their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful breathing exercises. Breaths like Mountain Breath and Redwood Breath will connect them with nature, while breaths like Heart Breath and Wish Breath will help them remember to fill their heart with gratitude and send good wishes to others.
Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey, illustrated by Anni Betts
Breathe Like a Bear is a beautifully illustrated collection of mindfulness exercises designed to teach kids techniques for managing their bodies, breath, and emotions. Best of all, these 30 simple, short breathing practices and movements can be performed anytime, anywhere: in the car to the grocery store, during heavy homework nights at home, or even at a child’s desk at school.
Good Night Yoga by Mariam Gates, illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder
Kids love yoga―and it’s great for them, so much so that the President’s Council has added the practice to the fitness activities in the annual President’s Challenge. For parents and caregivers looking for a fun and effective new routine for bedtime, innovative educator Mariam Gates presents Good Night Yoga, a playful yet wholly practical book for preparing for sleep.
Happy: A Beginner’s Book of Mindfulness by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Katie Hickey
“Mindfulness is all about connection with ourselves and the world around us.”
This poetically-written introduction to mindfulness touches upon the most important aspects of life–feeling, discovering, smelling, listening, and all the things that bring the world to life. With every soothing read and practice, children are better equipped to understand and control their own emotions…and discover an appreciation for the beautiful world around them.
Here and Now by Julia Denos, illustrated by E. B. Goodale
A stunning celebration of mindfulness, meditation, and enjoying each moment, from the team behind the award-winning Windows. This lush picture book is a fantastic tool for engaging children 3-7 who are schooling from home who are eager to feel connected to their world while managing new anxieties.
I Am Calm: A First Book of Mindfulness for Your Toddler by Roger Priddy
Encourage young children to find inner peace and happiness in fun and practical ways. From calming yoga sequences, mindful meditation, and encouraging thankful thoughts, this board book introduces toddlers to the tools they need to self-soothe. Filled with phrases that build self-esteem, gentle text and beautiful illustrations, young children will love every turn of the page.
I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Mindfulness means being fully in the present moment. Children can learn how to manage their emotions, make good choices, and balance their busy lives by learning to be mindful, express emotions through speech, find empathy through imagination, and wonder at the beauty of the natural world.
“There are times when I worry about what might happen next and what happened before. The thoughts in my head are like rushing water, and I feel like a boat with no anchor . . . being carried away. I give myself a moment. I take a breath.”
Mindfulness encourages us to pay attention to our experiences (our feelings, sensations in the body, emotions, surroundings) without judgment but with kindness and curiosity. Scientific research has proven that there are many benefits to practicing mindfulness. With so many children suffering from anxiety, there is no better tool than learning to be mindful. And it’s never too early to get started.
Here is a gentle expression of the tenets of mindfulness, encouraging young children to breathe, taste, smell, and be present in the here and now. I Am Peace is a reflection of the power of mindfulness in all our lives. It is a perfect guide with which parents and teachers can help children pay attention to their feelings and learn to control their worry and anxiety.
Listen by Gabi Snyder, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
BEEP!
WOOF!
VROOM!
Isn’t the world a noisy place?
But what if you
stop, close your eyes,
and LISTEN?
Can you hear each sound?
Can you listen past the noise
and hear the quiet, too?
Beautifully illustrated and poignant, this lovely picture book follows a girl through her school day as she listens to sounds across the city: caws of crows, shouts across the playground, and finally, the quiet beating of her heart and whispered goodnights.
Now by Antoinette Portis
This is my favorite cloud. . .because it’s the one I am watching.
This is my favorite tree. . .because it’s the one where I’m swinging.
This is my favorite tooth. . .because it’s the one that is missing.
Follow a little girl as she takes you on a tour through all of her favorite things, from the holes she digs to the hugs she gives in Now, a clever and poignant picture book by award-winning artist Antoinette Portis.
Sloth Wasn’t Sleepy by Kate Messner, illustrated by Valentina Toro
One night at bedtime, Sloth wasn’t sleepy.
“What if I worry when I try to fall asleep?” Sloth said.
“Ah … worries,” Mama said. “We will have to let them go.”
A tough day, a bad dream, a scary noise … these are just a few of the things that can keep kids wide awake and frightened after dark. But Mama Sloth knows the secrets for calming worried minds and getting to sleep―and as she shares them with her daughter, young readers will learn valuable relaxation skills that last a lifetime.
Sloth Wasn’t Sleepy does more than provide a sweet bedtime story―kids will join Sloth to learn mindfulness practices such as “shrinking down” fears in their mind and calming their body through breath and simple visualizations. Kate Messner’s beautiful book helps parents and kids relax into dreamland with a sense of peace, safety, and belonging.
Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper, illustrated by Kenard Pak
One winter morning, Lina wakes up to silence. It’s the sound of snow — the kind that looks soft and glows bright in the winter sun. But as she walks to her grandmother’s house to help make the family recipe for warak enab, she continues to listen.
As Lina walks past snowmen and across icy sidewalks, she discovers ten ways to pay attention to what might have otherwise gone unnoticed. With stunning illustrations by Kenard Pak and thoughtful representation of a modern Arab American family from Cathy Camper, Ten Ways to Hear Snow is a layered exploration of mindfulness, empathy, and what we realize when the world gets quiet.
