Breathe (Hardback) - Common

by Scott Magoon

A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Nature, Fiction, Family

Unknown Binding

First published March 4, 2014

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a beluga exploring their chilly surroundings. While there is always time to explore, make friends, and look for food, one cannot forget the essential act of breathing. Likely the symbolism is lost on the child reader, any adult who might be helping will see that even with a busy life, taking a moment to collect and inhale can reset whatever is going on. Of course, the need to breathe is present in the story too, but I was looking for a deeper meaning at that point in time. Neo liked the story, though the few words on the page left him wondering if it was a GREAT story. I reminded him that few words and wonderful pictures can sometimes pave the way to a spectacular imagination experience.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can't be done quickly. It's best when done with intention. When hiking in a forest of pines, wading in the shallows of the ocean or walking by potted spring flowers in a display, stop, close your eyes and inhale. The results are marvelous and sensory. When you exhale, it will probably be accompanied by a sigh.

As adults or children, we understand what this deliberate action may produce; infants need to learn. All you have to do is watch a toddler smell a hyacinth for the first time to know this to be true; their facial expression and body language will tell the tale. On April 1, 2014 Breathe (A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) written and illustrated by Scott Magoon was released into the wild. Let's go to the arctic and see what we can see.



My full review:http://bit.ly/1eIgq5e

[Hannah Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't reviewed any of my storytime books in a while, but today I discovered a new favorite--Scott Magoon's Breathe, a simple, very Zen life philosophy passed from a parent to a baby whale. The illustrations are digital, but the color scheme is all arctic blues and whites, very restful and lovely. The simple text is wonderfully interactive (I read this to a group of twenty-five babies, plus all their caregivers), and the illustrations lend themselves to discussion with older children.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Infant-Preschool
Ocean Life: Whales

A lovely reminder to pause and breathe as we explore life's many pleasures. With minimal text, this would be a great book for storytime--therapeutic for both the child and the caregiver. This would also pair with a yoga or movement class/program.

[Villa Park Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother whale encourages her baby to explore independence in this gentle picture book. With sparse text and a refreshing palette which reflects its Arctic setting, this soothing story reminds us all to take a moment to relax and exist in the world around us.

Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!

[Kyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and reminders of the skills needed to cope in the world.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story and the art

[Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

practically perfect

[Great Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby beluga has an adventure filled day while under the watchful guidance of Mom. The gentle reminder to enjoy each moment and breathe is brought to life through digital illustrations. Be prepared to seek out factual information on the underwater creatures contained within.
Reviewer #17

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story sparse text story of how a baby whale is to live its life. And, oh yes, this title is a wonderful metaphor for how humans can live their lives, even when trouble comes find another way up. Loved this one.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! It will make you wish you were a whale.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! I love this sweet book and its charming whales!

[GraceAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathe. A lovely picture book that brings the idea of intention and mindfulness to the youngest of children. With whales.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young whale explores his environment.

Possible meditation or yoga tie-in with the reminders to breathe.

[Liza Wiemer]

Breathe is a beautifully illustrated picture book that will have children smiling. Fabulous underwater scenes.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, calming book about a baby whale swimming, exploring, playing, breathing; it worked very well for my toddler storytime

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ellie and Jacob read to mom

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Today, we read Breathe by Scott Magoon, a sweet and soothing tale of a little whale’s first day exploring the sea.

Told with meditative, minimalist text and lovely undersea art, the story of a baby beluga whale’s day unfolds. He is exploring his underwater environment on his own today, with his mother nearby to guide him if need be. The lessons he learns are pared down to simple, soothing instructions: Breathe. Swim. Play all day. Explore. Listen to the sea sing. And as his day winds down, and his mother comes to his side to help lull him to sleep, the most important lesson of all: love, and be loved.

This was a wonderfully pleasant book, and a perfect example of children’s books where less is more. Magoon’s art does the bulk of the storytelling, creating adorably sweet characters against magnificent yet tranquil backgrounds of cool blues and rich greens. The text is simple and subdued, and the overall effect creates the ideal calm for a bedtime story. The length was perfect, and JJ absolutely loved the art. This is a fantastic little story for even the youngest bookworms, and we really enjoyed it. Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one!

I'm not really sure how to describe the story. A mother whale is giving instructions to her baby about how to experience life. Includes directions to explore, make new friends, dive deep, and (of course) breathe. As an adult reading it to myself, it's very Zen, really - the type to read slowly and really think about. So simple it's deep, sort of feeling. A great book to remind us to experience life. For kids, it's a pretty book about whales too.

The illustrations are lovely. Makes you want to go swimming or diving, just enjoy being underwater!

As a programming book, it would be a good one for a kids' yoga/movement/meditation type program - after all, it's written to make us slow down, stop, think, breathe. The very simple text also would be a good fit for a younger storytime - toddlers or infants/lapsit.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

BREATHE has such a beautiful, simple text. I love the book's message--breathe! I feel like it works on so many layers. Breathe! Because breathing is a necessary part of survival. Breathe! Because it calms us. (And Stott Magoons illustrations are SOOOO calming!) But, I can't help but read an environmental message in this book as well. The young whale is so much like a human child. As I saw it playing in the pristine ocean environments, I couldn't help but want to protect the environment, to protect this young whale child and his mother. I plan to read this book to my kindergarteners. I look forward to seeing what layers they discover in the words. Thank you, Scott Magoon, for another lovely book!

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that my 2 year old could "read" (recite from memory). We checked it out of the library when she was about 18 months old and it immediately became her very favorite book. There are only a few words on each page, but that's perfect for toddlers who want to "read" it themselves, and the illustrations are absolutely beautiful. While the story is simple, it's uplifting, with a great message about finding a new way when things don't work out the first time. My daughter is moving onto books with more complicated plots now, but we will both always treasure this special book.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations when it came to the paint and colors were natural. The only issue I had was the black imperfect squigglies drawn on like an unsteady paint program cursor on the facial linings.

Jellyfish or the Man-of-War could have much longer tentacles and not look like a bundt cake.

I thought the narration was a bit lacking. It could have added more than just verbal commands.

Overall a good feeling picture book experience for anyone.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book with a beautiful message. I think that it is simple enough that children will grasp it, but I also think they will grasp it if it is read to them several times. The book is about a baby whale who is reminded and encouraged by its mother to breathe. It is a relaxed book, with pages meant to be lingered upon.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY my favorite takeaway from Yoga Storytime training! This book is a great tool for teaching children how to control their breathing and learn basic calming and meditation techniques. Can you take a deep deep breath and puff out your cheeks like a whale every time you hear the word "breathe?"

Bonus points for being beautifully illustrated with tons of fun sea creatures included.

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, relaxing. My daughter loves the song Baby Beluga and I was hoping to teach her how to take deep breaths and relax so I got this book out from the library. She enjoyed it and the drawings are lovely, with shifting perspectives between the pages that keep things interesting. But she didn't learn anything about deep breaths... toddlers, amirite? :)

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this book on a list of end-of-year read-alouds and truthfully I am not sure why. Even aside from that, the illustrations just didn't quite hit the mark for me. My daughter loved blowing big breaths out on every page where the little whale was blowing out of his blowhole, so that was a lot of fun!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this simple picture book, a little whale explores the ocean, playing and singing with other aquatic creatures along the way.

This is a very calming story with beautiful illustrations. It was read at the end of a very active toddler story time. Every time we came to the word "breathe", our group would take a big inhale and then let it out, which is why I say it was a "calming story"! ♥

[Kalynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure if the author was going for a mindfulness feel for this book, but that's what I got. That, and balance, and the hopes and dreams for that kind of life extended from parent to son or daughter. Peaceful.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While a baby whale enjoys its first day of independence, readers are reminded of perseverance, creative thinking, and to just breathe. Hey, I need a reminder sometimes to take a step back and to “yoga breathe.” These gorgeous illustrations are enough to make anyone breathe deeply and smile.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would totally work for a preschool storytime, or even a toddler storytime. Lots of action words (swim, dive, etc) with bright, beautiful ocean illustrations of this lovely whale. And you'd get to "breathe" a lot of times!