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The Lemonade Hurricane: A Story of Mindfulness and Meditation
* 2016 Maine Literary Award Winner - Best Children's Book ** Selected as Notable Social Studies Trade Book For Young People 2016, a cooperative Project of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children's Book Council** Gelett Burgess Honor Book *Emma doesn't really like hurricanes. After a busy day of school and activities, Emma likes to sit still and rest. Her little brother, Henry, does everything but. She calls him The Lemonade Hurricane.
Henry is a lot of fun when he's not storming through the house, so Emma decides to teach him how to be still. By showing him how to sit, bow, and breathe, Emma is able to calm the hurricane within Henry.
A perfect introduction to meditation for young readers, presented in a captivating story.The illustrations bring the story to life with delightful whimsy.Includes a back-of-book presentation of simple mindfulness techniques that can be shared at home and in the classroom.In Planting Seeds, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teaches that by sitting still and meditating, the mind can become clear. Like Hanh's apple juice story, when a glass of lemonade is stirred, the pulp swirls around. When it sits quietly, the pulp settles and the liquid becomes clear. In this way, a glass of lemonade is a metaphor for how meditation and mindfulness work. That is why this book is called The Lemonade Hurricane. Practicing mindfulness and meditation helps us tame the hurricane within.Fountas & Pinnell Level L
Henry is a lot of fun when he's not storming through the house, so Emma decides to teach him how to be still. By showing him how to sit, bow, and breathe, Emma is able to calm the hurricane within Henry.
A perfect introduction to meditation for young readers, presented in a captivating story.The illustrations bring the story to life with delightful whimsy.Includes a back-of-book presentation of simple mindfulness techniques that can be shared at home and in the classroom.In Planting Seeds, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teaches that by sitting still and meditating, the mind can become clear. Like Hanh's apple juice story, when a glass of lemonade is stirred, the pulp swirls around. When it sits quietly, the pulp settles and the liquid becomes clear. In this way, a glass of lemonade is a metaphor for how meditation and mindfulness work. That is why this book is called The Lemonade Hurricane. Practicing mindfulness and meditation helps us tame the hurricane within.Fountas & Pinnell Level L
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
27 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 4, 2019
I read a hardcover from my library - not sure why it's not listed here.
Bravo. Entertaining as well as educational. The illustrations of the energetic child are especially apt, and the mountains pictured in the children's imaginations are beautiful (in a fittingly cartoony way). I like the notes, too. There's even an interesting detail in the first yoga scene, in which each student is holding his or her hands in a different position.
The only concern that I have is that I've recently read that scientists have figured out that there's not a lot of benefit to sporadic casual meditation, and I don't want readers who need this book to think that a few minutes on a mat is going to be a magic cure. Tai chi, or moving meditation, might work better for hyper kids than sitting meditation. Still, if my child was a lemonade hurricane, I'd try anything! At least we know that the big sister benefits from it!
Bravo. Entertaining as well as educational. The illustrations of the energetic child are especially apt, and the mountains pictured in the children's imaginations are beautiful (in a fittingly cartoony way). I like the notes, too. There's even an interesting detail in the first yoga scene, in which each student is holding his or her hands in a different position.
The only concern that I have is that I've recently read that scientists have figured out that there's not a lot of benefit to sporadic casual meditation, and I don't want readers who need this book to think that a few minutes on a mat is going to be a magic cure. Tai chi, or moving meditation, might work better for hyper kids than sitting meditation. Still, if my child was a lemonade hurricane, I'd try anything! At least we know that the big sister benefits from it!
April 9, 2016
The way mindfulness is described in this book is very kid friendly, and the illustrations are fun too. However, I disliked the way that the story was told from the point of view of the sister, where the brother is the problem child and she 'fixes' him. Having worked with children like the brother, I feel like this story would be hurtful, and could be used as a preachy lesson to hyperactive boys, that they just need to practice mindfulness and they'll be fixed. If told from the perspective of the brother, I think it could have been much more sensitive and well-received by the brother figure, who seems to be the one the message is intended for anyways.
June 30, 2021
Practicing meditation at the earliest stage of life? I don't quite agree 😬😬
3.5 / 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
3.5 / 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
December 16, 2017
Pretty good introduction to meditation for kids. Except I kept thinking that the first thing Henry should do to calm down is drink less lemonade.
May 13, 2021
Great illustrations!!
But I think it needs to be longer.
But I think it needs to be longer.
November 5, 2015
I have such a soft spot and deep appreciation for children's books - my mom made sure I had all the classics growing up, and to this day, she still buys me ones that remind her of me with a personalized note inside (I'm 27!). So when I crossed paths with The Lemonade Hurricane: A Story of Mindfulness and Meditation, I knew I'd stumbled across something that was a) really special and b) would be the perfect gift for all the kiddos in MY life! Between the beautiful illustrations, charming story, and easy-to-follow lessons at the back of the book, The Lemonade Hurricane is a fun and inviting way for kids to learn how to practice mindfulness and meditation (a.k.a. "how to tame the hurricane within"). A highly recommended book to teach a practical life lesson in a completely relatable way to young boys & girls alike!
December 19, 2017
Kid-friendly introduction to the benefits of meditation with a solid story and appealing illustrations
February 8, 2017
#SEL #Meditation #calm - shows a young girl trying to cope with a hectic brother and teaching him to calm down with a few meditation techniques
July 24, 2022
A simple yet inspiring book. Shows the reader to practice mindfulness
April 27, 2021
Not impressed. Story of a boy who could benefit from a little meditation. Told from the perspective of his sister.
Although I agree learning how to slow your mind and visualize peaceful settings can be very helpful in the process of calming down and regaining emotional control, I’m not sure I like the dichotomy demonstrated here between the sister and her brother. As though she was above him for being more of an introverted-quiet type of personality? It also oversimplified how ADHD and (any level of) hyperactivity in children works; and the environmental consequences of such energetic behavioural expression.
Having a son who is moving non-stop, and a daughter who is more of an intellectual loner and who is sitting still (reading) more often than not, I believe that each type of character has benefits and disadvantages. Both find ways to disrespect their sibling in their own way. And both have a lot to learn from each other. Lol. That said, breathing in and breathing out is a skill everyone should learn imo.
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For ages... 2 to 7 years old
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Although I agree learning how to slow your mind and visualize peaceful settings can be very helpful in the process of calming down and regaining emotional control, I’m not sure I like the dichotomy demonstrated here between the sister and her brother. As though she was above him for being more of an introverted-quiet type of personality? It also oversimplified how ADHD and (any level of) hyperactivity in children works; and the environmental consequences of such energetic behavioural expression.
Having a son who is moving non-stop, and a daughter who is more of an intellectual loner and who is sitting still (reading) more often than not, I believe that each type of character has benefits and disadvantages. Both find ways to disrespect their sibling in their own way. And both have a lot to learn from each other. Lol. That said, breathing in and breathing out is a skill everyone should learn imo.
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For ages... 2 to 7 years old
Story /5: <> <> <>
Visuals /5: <> <> <> <>
October 29, 2022
now i read this through my local library lending kindle program ... not the official name but that is what i am calling it. lol. any who ...i am trying to figure out the kindle ...i will explain the best way i can i cannot totally narrow it down, in that ...i thought it was different when you got a library book rather than directly from Amazon (kiddie book, whether through Kindle Unlimited or whatnot??!) i have noticed that a lot of kiddie books (illustrations and text) are very small and you cannot get in there and see them too well?? wonder if it had something to do with the publisher or what? do they have a say on the zoom in abilities or what?? do you see my thoughts? sometimes you are able to get in there and zoom in and get up close and personal. but not this book. you see what you see ...you cannot get up there and see it closer?? which really is important, i would say have a real "handheld" book instead of a kindle version book. it is okay if the illustrations and text is simple ...but a few pages are very detailed, and you can get up close as i did say previously. so frustrating. these are illustrations are so fun and colorful. way cool!!
June 24, 2022
It's cute. It's ~fine~ but it's very short and doesn't give you very much to work with. It feels like it's meant to be a read-together book, but there's nothing to work through. The obstacle is that her brother is an energetic menace sometimes. She shows him how to sit still. It would have been nice to see him struggle a little, and have to practice a couple different things to find a method that works for him.
February 3, 2020
The Lemonade Hurricane is about a girl who has a really crazy younger brother. Throughout the book all she wants is for him to calm down. She shows him meditation and how to do it. This book is a perfect read for children because most kids can relate to having an "annoying" younger brother or sister. It makes reading fun and interesting for them because it is something
July 25, 2020
Loved the simple and deep message in this book about learning to find beauty in stopping and being quiet. It can serve as introduction to yoga, but it can, also, promote a great dialogue about doing and being, noise and quiet, the balance we all need and can teach children to discover early in life.
April 10, 2021
A really great read for all ages. Sometimes we feel out of control and need to find a way to calm down, or maybe we have a sibling like Henry who needs some help with his emotions and reactions. This is a great book to read to a class or to recommend for siblings/families who are a little bit rambunctious. A very cute book.
March 26, 2023
Hmmm, interesting. The girl is parentified in this book, which is concerning, but is sadly not unrealistic. The boy -- the lemonade hurricane -- seems to be pretty deregulated (possibly due to ADAH or some sort of hyper-activity), and the girl teaches him how to self-regulate and slow down through meditation.
October 12, 2017
Too many rainy day recesses in a row? Got squirrel-y kids on your hands? The Lemonade Hurricane is a beautiful example of the difference between calm and busy. It is an important story to share with children.
October 26, 2017
Read by Kaitlin
-nice reading pace
-does teacher pan so that class can see the illustrations
- has class participate with deep breaths like main characters do
-works on mindfulness and meditation ideas
-nice reading pace
-does teacher pan so that class can see the illustrations
- has class participate with deep breaths like main characters do
-works on mindfulness and meditation ideas
April 4, 2020
Remember a vast period of time when parents would drug kids that are "hyper" or practice some form of extreme discipline before there were meds? Maybe you were one of those kids. Darn, we all needed this book.
October 15, 2022
I enjoyed the art in this one, but I found the story a bit tough to get behind. It felt like "do as I do, not as you are", instead of actually trying to understand each other. People are different, and that's okay.
October 14, 2017
I do not agree with the message this book delivers.
May 23, 2018
A sweet introduction to meditation and stillness. So cute!
July 21, 2018
Great book for kids. Love the illustrations.
September 5, 2018
Great story on calmness and awesome illustrations. I love the helpful tips on how to meditate at the end of the book.
October 28, 2018
How chaos affects others, how to be more mindful
November 5, 2018
This is a wonderful book about how a sister teachers her exuberant little brother to use mindfulness and meditation.
A perfect read for K-3, to help lead into a lesson about meditation/mindfulness.
A perfect read for K-3, to help lead into a lesson about meditation/mindfulness.
January 8, 2019
An introduction for mindfulness and meditation for younger kids. Very straightforward.
March 23, 2019
What an excellent book to introduce mindfulness to a child. I bought it for my grandson, at nineteen months old. It did spark his interest and he loves to revisit the story often.
April 18, 2021
Suka banget sama ilustrasinya huhu terus ada how to practice meditation juga di akhir!
May 21, 2021
Mindfulness practice to manage our emotions, be focus, and calming down the hurricane around us
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews