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: 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.

Kundalini Woman’s Set

Quiet meditation in rock pose 3min

Life Nerve Stretch L-D-B; L/R 3min

Camel var./ Camel pose 3min

Shoulder Stand L-D-B 3min

Archer L/R 5min

Baby 3min

Bow L-D-B 3min

Locust 3min

Cow L-D-B 3min

Cat L-D-B 3min

Stretch B-O-F 3min

Corpse 8-10min

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#flamenco #yoga #kundalini #dance #speedyyogini #inclusive #alwaysbedancing #alwaysbedancingflamenco #olenamaste #evecostarelli #natickma #smallbusiness #kundalinifusion #peacemoji #iameve #innerpeas #todayskriya

Mindful Book Reviews By Eve: Waffles And Pancakes (series) by Cindy Springsteen

Waffles And Pancakes (series) by Cindy Springsteen

1. A lesson in friendship (Friendship matters more than material things)
2. A lesson in bullying (The cause and effect of bullying)
3. A lesson in the true meaning of Christmas (A heart-warming story about love and friendship)
4. A lesson in being different (Don’t judge a book by its cover)

The Waffles And Pancakes series are well written stories that teach valuable lessons on friendship, bullying, the true meaning of Christmas and on being different with each one helping the reader dig deeper into the true meaning of character, courage and consciousness. The stories pay careful attention to explaining the lesson with clear examples and descriptive passages that empower the reader to be kind, compassionate and respectful.

These books are great to read aloud to younger children, but I feel their real magic lies in older children who can read on their own; this is an important niche. These heart-felt lessons are respectful to the intelligence of the reader and should be available in libraries, schools and therapists offices. These books are great tools for social emotional learning!

Thank you to the author for sending me these books. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Mindful Book Reviews By Eve: Two Adorable Peppa Pig Stories Based on the TV Series Peppa Pig Created by Neville Astley and Mark Baker

Who doesn’t love Peppa? She is a sweet and caring pink piglet who is constantly surrounded by a menagerie of diverse animal friends and family members who show us a slice of life with humor, empathy and appreciation for the small things.

In Peppa Pig and the Career Day, the adult’s in the neighborhood come to school to share about their careers, ranging from everyday workers to artists to specialists, and there is even a sea captain (who everyone needs in their neighborhood!). The wide variety of jobs and careers offer a great outlay of possible aspirations for kids to explore in creative play and then possible what they might become as they grow older.

In Peppa Pig and the Silly Sniffles, offers a sneak peak into the funny ways that kids play and how easily they switch between creative play scenarios. Here they enact a scene when one of the friends is sick and has to go to the doctor’s office and they discover, even though they cannot cure the sniffles, they can make their friend feel much better just by being good friends.

Both books come with a awesome coloring poster that is hidden on the back of the book jacket.

These are lovely hardcover books and will make great gifts this holidays season! I know my granddaughter is going to love them! I highly recommend Peppa Pig: the stories offer great diversity in character and educate about self-esteem, empathy, compassion and acceptance. A wonderful entry into the beauty of all the varied people in this world! They belong in every preschool, home and library! Hooray for Peppa! She’s awesome!

¡Olé Namaste! Eve Costarelli

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

For more information about my accessible mindfulness/yoga/dance program, please visit alwaysbedancing dot com.

Mindful Book Reviews by Eve: 30 Books To Help Kids Learn About Empathy:

 

 

1. Arnie and The New Kid Nancy Carlson
2. Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
3. Come With Me by Molly McGhee
4. The Day War Came by Nicola Davies
5. Everyone by Christopher Silas Neal
6. Good Light Wind by Linda Elovitz Marshall and Maelle Doliveux
7. Hey, Little Ant by Phillip Hoose
8. How To Be A Lion by Ed Vere
9. I Am Enough by Grace Byers
10. I Am Human by Susan Verde
11. I Can Do Hard Things by Gabi Garcia
12. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
13. Julián Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love
14. The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
15. Listening With My Heart by Gabi Garcia
16. Look Up by Jung Juin-Ho
17. Lovely by Jess Hong
18. Mindfully Me 3-Pack (Mindfully Me Series: It’s Always There; Where Is Happy; Look Who’s Here) by Louise Shanagher and Rose Finerty
19. Most People by Michael Leannah
20. My Heart by Corinna Luyken
21. My Mouth Is A Volcano by Julia Cook
22. No One Else Like You by Siska Goeminne
23. One by Kathryn Otoshi
24. Pass It On by Sophy Henn
25. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
26. Smallest Girl In The Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts
27. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
28. We Are All Wonders R. J. Palacio
29. Why Am I Me by Paige Britt
30. Yo! Yes! By Chris Rascka

Mindful Book Reviews By Eve: The Tiptoeing Tiger by Philippa Leathers

I love this little tigers determination! This is a delightful story about believing in oneself. It’s a story about resilience, learning that where there’s a will there’s a way and and knowing when to laugh. The illustrations accompany the words wonderfully. The tiger is so sweet and is accompanied by a whole menagerie of other sweet wild animals. Above all this is a book about knowing it is good to be you. It is a great confidence building book for young children. I have already used it in my early education yoga classes and the kids took to it right away and it paired perfectly with yoga poses such as tiger, elephant, rock, snake, monkey and frog. Love it! Sweet message!

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

Book Reviews by Eve: Boys Dancing by George Ancona & Tap Tap Boom Boom by Elizabeth Bluemle

Book Reviews by Eve: Two books from Candlewick Press that highlight dance and rhythm are Boys Dancing by George Ancona & Tap Tap Boom Boom by Elizabeth Bluemle.

Boys Dancing by George Ancona is the second book I know by the author, the first being ¡Olé! Flamenco, which is another great non-fiction book about dance. Both books include fun photo illustrations that really highlight the story. In Boys Dancing, I like the foot step pattern that leads you through the pages of the book. These kids faces really tell the whole story. They are so engaging and engaged. You can see form their faces their focus, determination and joy at dancing. The instructor is equally connected and together they learn about dancing with their bodies, minds and energies. This story shows the dedicated dancers and teachers and how a whole production comes together, from school gym to studio to stage. Dance is for boys. It is community building and the story shows how hard work is fun and rewarding. ¡Olé!

Tap Tap Boom Boom by Elizabeth Bluemle lives up to its name as a great choice of onomatopoeia for a rain storm. The delightful illustrations by G. Brian Karas are a cross between photo realism and sweet cartoonish images. The reader not only looks at the scenes, but also up and down and from within them. You feel like one of the pack of people escaping the rain storm! This is a very engaging and entertaining story that promotes community, friendship and the love of a good rain storm!

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

Book Reviews by Eve: Rent Party Jazz by William Miller & The Happiest Tree, a Yoga Story by Uma Krishnaswami

Book Reviews by Eve: Two books from Lee & Low that promote mindfulness, building self-esteem and diversity are Rent Party Jazz by William Miller & The Happiest Tree, a Yoga Story by Uma Krishnaswami.

Rent Party Jazz by William Miller is a story, above all, about struggle, responsibility, hope and community. The great brush-stroke illustrations by Charlotte Riley-Webb create movement giving life to the scenes of New Orleans, to the people and to the trains of music pulsing through the city. You can practically feel the music bringing them all together, giving the reader a sense of belonging in the story too. I really appreciate the beautiful color palette and how the party scenes are so lively and colorful, contrasting against the darker, more somber tones of the street.

This story is both culturally significant and historically accurate. Rent parties are used to raise money, are a way for budding musicians to get off the ground and a selfless way to hold space for those in need. I highly recommend this book-it might inspire a blossoming philanthropist or a child with a heart of jazz.

The Happiest Tree, a Yoga Story by Uma Krishnaswami is a story that encourages interest, bolsters determination and increases self-reflection. Through yoga, it shows how it is empowering and uplifting to challenge oneself. The main character, Meena, starts off with a weak sense of self and fearing rejection, but through acts of self-challenge, she emerges with inner strength and a strong self-esteem. The sweet illustrations by Ruth Jeyaveeran, show great expressions of interest, happiness, doubt and support that really highlight the emotional content of the story. I love the peppering of authentic Indian phrases throughout the story, making it culturally relevant and inviting. I highly recommend this endearing story of self-realization and inner peace.

Thank you to Lee & Low for sending me copies of these books. All opinions are my own.