Mindful Book reviews By Eve: October Picture Books from Candlewick Press

A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett Art by Shawn Harris

This is a simply beautiful book. I adore the eye-catching torn-paper illustrations and the white-on-white, with bursts of oceanic blue, of the images inviting us into the depths of the life of a polar bear. The accompanying narration compels us to follow the bear across the frozen tundra and into the deep blue sea, leaving much space for wonder and creative thought. The text and illustrations work perfectly together in this picture book about a loveable polar bear and each question is answered by a beautifully accompanying illustration that is so soothing and interesting. This is an early book about science and animals that will fascinate the youngest child. 

In The Half Room by Carson Ellis

Illumination is at the heart of this story and how a moon lights a room and at times how everything seems to only be a series of halves. It is quirky and at the first pass through might seem “disconnected” but by allowing the imagination to fill in the dark spots, we can see the mystery revealed. A child, who does not know the phases of the moon, might not understand why they only see half a moon, half a table or half a cat so they will explore this option with glee and curtiosity. It is very crafty and is a book about halves and wholes that allows the imagination to explore what the eyes are seeing. The surreal artwork lends a touch of fantasy to the story and brings to mind some of the great surreal art by the likes of Dali, Picasso and Arp. This is a slyly sophisticated book, take a look! 

Julián At The Wedding by Jessica Love

Jessica Love is back with another endearing tale of love, acceptance and joie de vivre. The art is dreamy and utterly charming. I love Julián’s purple suit with the skirted back and even the way “typical” roles are reversed. Here we see the sympathetic boy coming to the rescue of a girl who just likes to get dirty. Julián’s grandma is all in this time. There is nothing but a pure example of letting everyone be happy with their own self-expression. This book is a testament to love, friendship, acceptance and self-identity offering even a young child into a world where everyone is loved and has a place.  

Rain Before rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls Art by David Litchfield

This book is breathtaking with every beautifully written word and accompanying illustration. This is a story of hope, personal growth and intention; the real sense that life can get better propels it forward. Each page is filled with richly colored fantastical scenes that will keep you mesmerized while the perfectly-paced story shimmers with promise and resilience. The little girl along with her trusty fox companion embark on a journey which parallels life’s ups and downs, yet offers a sense of hope that there is a beautiful rainbow just around the corner. I absolutely adore this book. It is a ray of sunshine for anyone stuck out in the rain.

The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer Art by Cindy Derby

This story is profound. I cannot even imagine having to share this  book with a child who has lost a mother-it is heartbreaking-I had tears in my eyes as I read it. This book does a fantastic job of creating a safe place for a child to mourn. Questions are asked and pondered, pain is held in a safe container and the quietly thoughtful text pairs perfectly with the expressive illustrations. This heavy topic is presented in a loving way by using a non-threatening sentient being that is able to envelope the child’s sadness in its large furry arms and is able to answer the most unanswerable questions from deep in its heart. A tear-jerker but one of the most loving books out there on this topic.

Purpose, Intention & Patience

Living with a sense of purpose is so important. Wake each day with a drive and will to do. Find things that interest you and a determination to learn, even when it is hard. Learn to figure things out-ask questions-make mistakes. Experience the inner sensations of your passion.

Life is to be lived with gusto-zest-zeal. You must live in and for the moment. Your goals and desires and hopes and dreams have many paths that lead to them. Allow yourself the freedom to travel many paths. They will lead you to experiences that will help you on your way. Do not be disappointed if your path is different than you thought it would be; instead be flexible. Learn along the way. Find joy in your travels. Be inspired to live.

Experience the moments within a larger context. Everything you do will cause an effect. Whether the desired one, or not, or possibly one that is not immediately noticeable…maybe not even in your lifetime. Above all be patient Know that patience is not just the ability to wait for it to happen. Rather, it is the absolute knowing that it will happen. Just. Know. It. Will. Happen.

You can effect change.

Alwasy keep your vibration high.

Have a positive outlook.

Look at your heart.

Have hope.

With peace,

Eve

If you are local to Natick, MA, please join me today. I will be leading a short Grove & Flow associated with the fire element and summer. Come get grounded!

Grounding In Community

Natick Common 1:30-3:00PM

Grounding In Community is an outdoor, in-person, and safe way to grow our hope and support each other. Every last Sunday afternoon, from 1:30 – 3:00, we meet under the shade of a giant tree on the Natick Common for a time of spiritual practice, artistic expression, and truth-telling. We lie on the grass, sit on blankets and chairs, sing, explore movement, and speak words of truth that give us greater strength and freedom.

We are living in times that are heavy with foreboding in terms of health, economics, and politics. And so we gather in community to affirm that we are not alone in being afraid and in needing support. Together we create a space where we find the courage to face all this…and to find a way of being well and of keeping hope alive within.

For everyone’s safety, we will wear masks and maintain six feet of distance. If you want, please also bring a blanket, yoga mat, or chair to sit on. It is also recommended to bring a water bottle.

If you are inspired to share a poem, story, song, or reading–something that grounds you in truth and gives you hope–there is a time of open sharing in the structure of the gathering where this will be welcome.

2 Picture Books on Feelings, Friendship and How To Be True To Oneself

Gustavo The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago

Gustavo is shy, he is cautious, he is introverted, wary and shadowy. He is of course, a ghost; not one who likes to scare, but instead one who is painfully shy. With Day of The Dead appeal, this book can be enjoyed everyday! The gorgeous mute-toned hues of the illustrations pair perfectly with this simple tale of feeling invisible. The story is so relatable as we all may experience shyness at some point, but many suffer from this all the time. This book canhelp someone who feels too afraid and it shows a way to be brave by taking baby steps and using positive affirmation which may help to take a giant step. The overlying message is about being true to oneself and also about how having a passion for the arts can give you strength. People need to be accepted for who they are and they might find other friends who feel the same way. I mean, the young monster, Alma (which by the way means soul in Spanish) who Gustavo wants so badly to be friends with stays invisible throughout the whole story. 

Soon to be a Halloween favorite! 

Nana Says I Will Be Famous One Day by Ann Stott. Illustrated by Andrew Joyner

Some Grandmas are Nanas; Some Grandmas are Grammies. Some Grandmas are Bubbies. I am a Mimi. The one thing that ties us all together is our unconditional love for our grandchildren. We are all gaga for them! I know I am personally a Rootin’ Tootin’ Mimi who loves to play, take walks, and bake cupcakes whenever I have the chance! This book shows the beauty of the so necessary intergenerational friendship between an elderly person and a young child. It shows that age knows no bounds when it comes to love. This book shows that cats and dogs can get along, that it’s ok to be over the top in love and it is also important to be able to be taken care of and to know when someone needs your support. This is just how this relationship should be. Having grandparents in your life is a beautiful gift. Here is a great article about the necessity of grandparents in your child’s life. 

Thank you to Candlewick Press for these books. All opinions expressed are my own.

How To Be and Give Peace

What is the meaning of “BE THE PEACE” to you?  Has it changed since we last met? Be the Peace means that I am peace and people perceive me as peace and I emit peace. I know that even a tiny bit of peace can cause a ripple effect and although I may never see this peace, I have no idea what this ripple will actually do and I can only hope that it will be the change/the peace movement. Like the butterfly effect that a tiny movement of a butterfly wing will cause an avalanche of movement in the future. I do not think the meaning has changed except that it has deepened and widened in perspective.

‘You may never know what results come of your actions but if you do nothing there will be no results’. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi said, “My life is my message.” What does that message bring to mind to you? All I want to do is give people peace through movement. I want my form of yoga/mindful movement to be something that people seek out and they can feel peace through a deeper exploration of their own selves within the yoga. To be truly at peace we must be at peace within ourselves. 

My mind often repeats the lyrics to one of my favorite yoga songs by Wade Imre Morissette (yes, Alanis’s brother) called Om Narayana

Joy on the inside and peace on the outside,
Loving on the inside and laughing on the outside,
Kissing on the inside and healing on the outside,
Flowing on the inside and thriving on the outside,
Clearing on the inside and accepting the outside,
Shining on the inside and shining on the outside.

Are Gandhi’s message and the message of BE THE PEACE aligned in some way for you? Being the peace in my life’s message is given through my yoga and I hope through my writing. I want to be seen as a writer and I want people to read what I write. I want to write books that show that peace is so multi-faceted that it is possible to find the angle of peace that suits you and for you to live that way of being. I imagine that peace is a multi-sided dice cube and you can roll it and whatever word/synonym of peace that pops up will be how you express peace at that moment. Mindfulness and peace are completely intertwined.

Affection Amicability Amity Armistice Calmness Caliber Character Closeness Commitment  Community Composure Consciousness  Contentment  Cooperation Courage

Ease Empathy Equanimity Friendliness  Friendship  Good Vibes Good Will Harmony Hope Integrity  Intimacy

Kindness (Loving Kindness) Kinship Love Neutrality Pacifism Patience Peace Peacefulness Quiet

Reconciliation Respect Serenity Self-Possession Sociability  Society Stillness Sympathy  Tranquility Understanding  Unity  Zeal

Facets of Peace

Two more words/phrases that mean a lot to me: Ubuntu & MWE

UBUNTU

I am, because you are

The word ubuntu is part of a Zulu phrase which literally means that a person is a person through other people. … Ubuntu is a nebulous concept of common humanity, oneness: humanity, you and me both…MWE. Dan Siegel coined the term “MWE” which I love. It is the me; it is the we; it is the me in we; it is the we in me. It is a sense of a sense of internal consistency about who I am across time and across multiple social identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, profession, culture, gender, religion). This integrated identity serves as an internal framework for making choices and provides a stable base from which one can act in the world. Ubuntu is peace. MWE is peace.

‘Be aware that patience is not the art of waiting. It is the metaphysics of knowing that resting calmly will deliver.’ ~ Guru Singh

Mindful Book Reviews by Eve: This year the Easter Bunny is bringing some Egg-cellent books from Candlewick Press!

This year the Easter Bunny is bringing Egg-cellent books from Candlewick Press! 

Follow Me Flo! By Jarvis 

I just cannot get enough of the lively bright yellow Flo and her adorable facial expressions-those eyes really tell it all! All of the cartoon-like characters are so animated they practically jump right off the page. This story tells in a fun and relatable way the importance of listening to your parents, paying attention and that being responsible is very important yet it can be fun too. The story is a sweet sing-song style which can lead to many fun interpretations from opera to rap. This will keep the story lively and current and will encourage some fun out-loud sharing moments. Additionally, each page is sprinkled with tiny bugs that fly and hop and are just as cute as can be! Great book that is clear and will elicit some giggles while delivering a very serious message.

Hazel and Twig: The Lost Egg by Brenna Burns Yu

Hazel & Twig, along with their Umma and Appa (which mean Mom and Dad in Korean) live in an adorable diminutive world full of hopes and dreams. There is some scientific learning about different types of eggs and bird life, but mostly it is a sweet tale of sisterhood, kindness and cooperation. Each illustration is so delicately depicted that you are literally swept into their tiny world. I am thoroughly enchanted by each tiny flower stem. This is a delightful tale that gently explains that finders are not keepers, and sisters are your best friends! 

Thank you to Candlewick press for sending these books. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Mindful Book reviews By Eve: Madame Badobedah by Sophie Dahl

Madame Badobedah by Sophie Dahl and Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara

This book is just wonderful. It is a little bit Madeline with a dose of Eloise and a heaping side of Harriet the Spy. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The story is a multilevel of a cross-generational friendship seen through the eyes of a child who is curious, a little judgmental and a tiny bit naughty.

Here is a link to the author, Sophie Dahl, reading the story!

The young girl is fascinated with a new boarder at her family’s bed and breakfast and at first she imagines this woman to be a thief because the woman has a mysterious accent (she comes from across the ocean and had to flee her homeland) and trunks filled with “treasures” and a herd of little dogs. Taken by her curiosity, the girl does a little sleuthing but is caught red handed and to her surprise, invited into the object of her curiosity’s room.

A friendship ensues that is full of imaginative play, each scene accompanied by the beautiful watercolor hues of the seashore. The girl learns to trust her knew friend and even learns a bit about grace, taking responsibility for one’s actions and a nice hat tip to becoming an independent woman.

 

I especially like the illustration of the cut away of the bed and breakfast. Every nook and cranny is fulled with tiny detail that could hold attention for hours, like a dollhouse for the eyes. This is a new book for the ages and should be on every child’s bookshelf! The story and the art work are timeless. I highly recommend it!

 

Thank you to Candlewick Press for this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mindful Book reviews By Eve: Thank You, Crow by Michael Minkovitz

Thank You, Crow by Michael Minkovitz; Illustrated by Jose D. Medina

I love the sweet green child and the doe-eyed crow. They make a beautiful couple creating art together. The child is kind-hearted and helps the hurt crow, who in turn brings joy and wonderment to the boy. This is a creative page turner that will elicit many giggles and ooh’s and aah’s.

Thank you to Penny Candy Books for sending me this book as part of a giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mindful Book Reviews By Eve: Pepa Pig and the Christmas Play

Pepa Pig and the Christmas Play by Neville Astley & Mark Baker

A new Pepa Pig just in time for the holidays! Pepa and her friends, a diverse group of animals but all one giant family! Diversity is the norm and all are accepted. Such a positive and healthy message to share with your child during the holiday season and all throughout the year. The best part of the story is the teacher accepting and accrediting each child’s desire on how they want to participate in the school play and shows that each child is an integral part of the group. This book is all smiles and the words hardly matter as you can just go page to page and get lost in the visual story. Love the fun and festive colors and there is a coloring poster on the back of the slip cover that would be fun to color and cut out and hang as Christmas ornaments.

I know this will be going under the tree for my granddaughter!

Thank you to Candlewick Press for sending me this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Mindful Book Reviews By Eve: Who Do You Think I Am? by Hannah McLaughlin

Who Do You Think I Am? By Dawn McLaughlin; Ill. Hannah Rowe; Positively Publishing Kids

I love everything about this sweet book of soul-accepting affirmations accompanied by beautifully rendered pastel pencil drawings of children being everything that they can be. It is 100% a feel good book that embraces diversity, acceptance and creates an endless stream of possibilities a child can be from their moods, feelings, sensations and dreams. I can’t get enough of the doe-eyed children illustrated by Hannah Rowe, a young artist. Each unique set of eyes tells their story. Everyone who reads this book will be able to connect with the characters. I love this concept of empowering children with tools for creative self-expression and success. It is sure to aid in creating more mindful, resilient and positive people. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the author for sending me this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

For more information about me, please visit alwaysbedancing dot com

 

Mindful Book Reviews By Eve: Massive Candlewick Press, Childen’s Book Reviews Roundup! Yeehaw!

 

Alphabet Street by Ingela P. Arrhenius Ages 2-5

This pop-up book is so creative and will inspire hours of play and learning. The book is full of fun and quirky rhymes that take the reader through the shops and to meet the people on Alphabet Street,  all the while leaning the letters and sounds along the way. But that’s not all! This book also folds out and includes a beautifully illustrated play scene on the reverse of the shops and will inspire hours of imaginative play. I can see getting lost in the dreamy pastel artwork by the author and illustrator, Ingela P. Arrhenius. This is a wonderful ABC book and would make a great gift for a budding reader!

Jon Klassen’s Hat Box. Boxed set of Picture Books Ages 4-8

This is a beautiful boxed presentation of the wry and though invoking Hat stories by Jon Klassen. The books included are: I Want My Hat Back, This Is Not My Hat, and We Found a Hat, and a print of that scruffy bear, rabbit and the sought after hat. The engaging watercolor illustrations are enough to tell the story. It’s all in the subtle expressions and side-eyed glances. Each page builds up to the surprise, ending and the wry expressions of the characters add to the slightly racy humor. These are intricately crafted stories of cause and effect and fit in along side Aesop’s Fables. They each have something to teach. There is nothing wrong with a book that does not tie itself up with a pretty bow at the end. Some stories are sassy and these are some of the best! This would make a great gift for the holidays!

Inside Outside written and illustrated by Anne-Margot Ramstein & Matthias Arégui Ages 4-8

Wordlessly this beautiful picture book leads the reader into worlds large and small to bolster creative imagination. Within each two page spread, the reader is drawn narrowly into and widely out of scenarios where they might become a spelunker, a dog inside a doghouse or even a chick inside an egg. These unique perspectives will surely lead to interesting questions from curious kids and can offer great prompts for story telling, creative writing and afternoon day dreams. I love this concept and so appreciate the accessibility of a picture book that can expand to satisfy a larger audience: young, old, those who can read and those who cannot. Wonderful!

Mr. Scruff by Simon James Junior Library Guild Ages 3-7

This adorable book about people and their pets will grab attention with its fun rhymes and super charming ink & watercolor illustrations that will definitely elicit giggles. What is really special about this book is its compassionate story of diversity, acceptance and love. Kindness for animals, understanding that our choices have a resounding affect and that love is what makes the world go round. I highly recommend this heart-warming, heart-felt story.

Just Because by Mac Barnett Ages 4-8

This book is childlike satire at its best of the traditional bedtime avoidance rituals. Just before the lights can out, the fathomless quesions about life commencnse. Isabelle Arsenaults beautifully illustratoes each of the dad’s creative responses with gouche, pencil & watercolor illustrated 2-page spread of dream-scapes including flying fish, dinosaurs floating in space and mice blowing bubbles, all done with gorgeous muted tones that lend to the feel of nighttime and the slowly closing eyes of the sleepy child. This is a really cute bedtime book that will have you running to look up the real answers to these age old questions because curious minds will want to know! I highly recommend it! The expressions of the dog are priceless!

Paper World Planet Earth Illustrated by Bomboland  Ages 8-12

Paper-cutting is the art of cutting paper and this book takes this laser-cut multi-dimensional art-form deep into the earth’s core. I just love the creative use of vivid colors to create dimension, texture, and shadow that literally jump off each 2-page spread. Along with its in-depth scientific teachings, this book creates a sense of wonder.  On top of the already multi-layered aspect of the pages, there are flaps and die-cuts that offer more in-depth information about this big beautiful planet we call home. This truly one-of-a-kind book will appeal to readers of all ages and will bolster the curiosity of budding scientists, environmentalists and highly curious people!

Playlist: The Rebels & Revolutionaries of Sound by James Rhodes Ages 12+

Right off the bat, with the gorgeously colorful marbled paper-art end-pages, you know this book is going to be engaging. This book is a multi-sensory treat exciting not just the eyes and mind but also the ears and the whole body. By including a Spotify play-list, your senses get an extra jolt by adding the emotional quality that only music can bring. Through music, the whole being is able to experience these “original” rock stars of classical music, a genre often overlooked when considering the basis of current music. Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven are hip!
The back stories plus the ties to current day movies, and music offer just enough information to entice even the most stubborn “pop” fan into appreciating the inspiring stories of these great composers. I was motivated to find the full tracks of the songs and really listen to these amazing pieces that helped shaped every piece of music and ring tone we hear today.

This is a great gift book and would look especially awesome on a coffee table or for your favorite band teacher! The collage, silkscreen & digital illustrations by Martin O’Neill are really well done and are very exciting and add a lot to the text. Each one could become a framed piece of art!  

Walk This Underground World by Kate Baker Ages 5-8

Wonderfully informative! This creative non-fiction picture book opens up the underground world by taking the reader from deep in the underground city of Montreal to the subways of Tokyo to burrows of prairie dog and mole rats. This book will inspire curiosity and a realization that what is on the surface is just that and that there are many hidden gems that go into life on this an amazing planet. Sam Brewster intricately details each 2-page spread page with pop-open doors, windows and crevices to give an ever deeper peek into the teeming underground life. I highly recommend this book. It will excite and instill the desire for the young reader to know about our planet helping to create budding scientists, archaeologists, architects and highly interested and engaged people.