A simple and fun introduction to chakra and meditation ideal for preschool-age children.
Children learn the body’s major chakra points in Glowacki’s illustrated book.
The author uses the structure of the classic children’s song “The Wheels on the Bus” to introduce the idea of chakra and its flow. Beginning with the overall energy in the body going “round and round,” each subsequent verse focuses on a different part, moving from the bottom up. Readers are first encouraged to focus on planting their feet (“Our feet on the ground are rooted down”) before moving up to the hips (“Our hips sway from side to side”). Next is the “middle of our belly” that “pumps in and out” and the heart that thumps. Voices then say “peace and love” while eyes move. Lastly, the “thoughts in our mind say I belong”; “helping hands” open and shut before the whole thing loops back to the first verse. Each section concludes with “all through the crown” replacing the “all through the town” lyric from the original song. Nelsen’s illustrations feature close-ups of the body parts being sung about in each verse. Both boys and girls are shown, all of whom are depicted with brownish orange skin. The images are bright and cartoonish, with bold lines and lots of saturated color that perfectly channel the energy from the song and make it visual. A concluding note to parents that briefly discusses the different chakras used in the book (Third-Eye Chakra, Sacral Chakra, and so on) and tips for meditation provides helpful clarity and context for the text. The book does a wonderful job of encouraging children to get up and move while singing along—though some may find that moving one’s eyes “up and down” simply results in a bout of dizziness. Ultimately, Glowacki manages to seamlessly blend silly dancing and singing with a subtle lesson in self-care.
A simple and fun introduction to chakra and meditation ideal for preschool-age children.Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2025
ISBN: 9798990933309
Page Count: 30
Publisher: Move With Me Books
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A solid addition to Rotner’s seasonal series. Bring on summer.
Rotner follows up her celebrations of spring and autumn with this look at all things winter.
Beginning with the signs that winter is coming—bare trees, shorter days, colder temperatures—Rotner eases readers into the season. People light fires and sing songs on the solstice, trees and plants stop growing, and shadows grow long. Ice starts to form on bodies of water and windows. When the snow flies, the fun begins—bundle up and then build forts, make snowballs and snowmen (with eyebrows!), sled, ski (nordic is pictured), skate, snowshoe, snowboard, drink hot chocolate. Animals adapt to the cold as well. “Birds grow more feathers” (there’s nothing about fluffing and air insulation) and mammals, more hair. They have to search for food, and Rotner discusses how many make or find shelter, slow down, hibernate, or go underground or underwater to stay warm. One page talks about celebrating holidays with lights and decorations. The photos show a lit menorah, an outdoor deciduous tree covered in huge Christmas bulbs, a girl next to a Chinese dragon head, a boy with lit luminarias, and some fireworks. The final spread shows signs of the season’s shift to spring. Rotner’s photos, as always, are a big draw. The children are a marvelous mix of cultures and races, and all show their clear delight with winter.
A solid addition to Rotner’s seasonal series. Bring on summer. (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3976-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
A good choice for a late fall storytime.
Animal behaviors change as they prepare to face the winter.
Migrate, hibernate, or tolerate. With smooth rhymes and jaunty illustrations, Salas and Gévry introduce three strategies animals use for coping with winter cold. The author’s long experience in imparting information to young readers is evident in her selection of familiar animals and in her presentation. Spread by spread she introduces her examples, preparing in fall and surviving in winter. She describes two types of migration: Hummingbirds and monarchs fly, and blue whales travel to the warmth of the south; earthworms burrow deeper into the earth. Without using technical words, she introduces four forms of hibernation—chipmunks nap and snack; bears mainly sleep; Northern wood frogs become an “icy pop,” frozen until spring; and normally solitary garter snakes snuggle together in huge masses. Those who can tolerate the winter still change behavior. Mice store food and travel in tunnels under the snow; moose grow a warmer kind of fur; the red fox dives into the snow to catch small mammals (like those mice); and humans put on warm clothes and play. The animals in the soft pastel illustrations are recognizable, more cuddly than realistic, and quite appealing; their habitats are stylized. The humans represent varied ethnicities. Each page includes two levels of text, and there’s further information in the extensive backmatter. Pair with Joyce Sidman and Rick Allen’s Winter Bees (2014).
A good choice for a late fall storytime. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5415-2900-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Millbrook/Lerner
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2019
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