58. Sloth & Smell The Roses

Sloth and Smell the Roses. Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle. 2021. [January] 24 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: When everything is Go! Go! Go! Say hello to mindful Mo.  

This board book for little ones is about being more mindful. Do little ones need to learn how to be mindful? Or is the message "for little ones" really geared towards parents and caretakers learning to be more mindful? Is the mindfulness to help parents learn to cope with the ins and outs of caregiving for little ones?

Perhaps a bit of both? On the one hand, the book illustrates some skills helpful in learning how to cope with life. "When feelings start to grow and grow, let them be, let them out, then let them go!" On the other hand, the book gives caretakers (parents, etc) tips on how to teach young ones to meditate.

Think: Notice a thought.
Feel: Feel the feelings that the thought triggers in your body. Notice where they arise.
Act: Commit to an action that will bring you back to feelings peaceful.
Let go: Let go of the thought and return to the present moment with a grateful heart.

The illustrations of the spreads vary between super-super-super-busy-and-chaotic AND almost empty (except for sloth guide).

I think this one will appeal to some families, no doubt about that. Not sure it will appeal to every one. The text is simple, but definitely more lesson-y and didactic than not.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers