The Magic Moment

by Niall Breslin, Sheena Dempsey (Illustrator)

Freddie is excited about his first trip to the swimming pool. But when he gets there, he finds it scary. So scary in fact, that he just wants to go home … Later that evening, Nana teaches him a secret trick. It’s called the Magic Moment Trick and it gives you superpowers when you’re facing something scary. You simply close your eyes, think of your happiest memory and squeeze your finger and thumb together. Beautifully illustrated by Sheena Dempsey, Bressie’s first picture book for children incorporates an easy mindfulness technique within a charming story. The Magic Moment helps children return to the present moment and is a must for parents or anyone working with children who wants to help them feel the fear and jump in anyway. ‘Teaches children a really simple and effective mindfulness technique for managing big feelings’ Dr Malie Coyne ‘A book with an important message’  Irish Independent ‘The sort of book that could be genuinely helpful to an anxious child’ The Irish Times

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 2018

About the author

Niall Breslin (born 22 October 1980), known as Bressie, is an Irish musician and former Westmeath Gaelic footballer and Leinster Rugby player. Breslin found success as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter with pop band The Blizzards, as a co-writer and producer with XIX Entertainment and as a solo artist. He was the winning coach on the first and third seasons of The Voice of Ireland.

Reviews

[Elaine Mullane || Elaine and the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freddie is excited to go swimming at the pool with his Dad but when he gets there, he becomes a little bit nervous and refuses to go in, returning home instead. When he tells Nana about his feelings, she shows him a little magic trick that will make him feel better the next time he is feeling reluctant to go swimming.

Niall Breslin has done something great here. In creating a gentle and subtle story about mindfulness techniques, he is addressing an important issue that is affecting children and young people in our modern world. With everything moving so fast these days and our attention being drawn to multiple things, platforms, devices etc., it's increasingly difficult to stop, be still and be present in any given moment. This is especially difficult for children. In showing, through Freddie, how a child can employ techniques to bring their focus and attention back to themselves and notice their breath, children can be mindful of their current situation, improve focus and reduce nervousness and anxiety.

This is a sweet story and a wonderful means of drawing attention to children's realities and the benefits of mindfulness. Recommended.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freddie is excited to go swimming in the pool for the first time. When he gets there with his Dad, he gets scared and wants to go home. He tells his Nana about it, and she gives him a magic trick to help him when he's scared, mad, sad etc. The next time he goes to the pool, he uses this magic trick and jumps in the pool.

It's a lovely story, and a really important message for young kids. The illustrations are gorgeous too. I got this book out from the library, and I'll get it again. I'd recommend anyone to check it out for any young kids in their lives as my niece absolutely loved it.

** The following has no impact on my star rating for the book, but is my personal opinion/recommendation for future readers**
Checking my local book shops the price is €15-€17. Although I love the book for my young family members, there's just no way I'd pay that much money for it. The library is the way to go.

[Anna Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book which really helped my 4.5 year old understand about fear and how to overcome it.
It was meant to be when we picked this up and read it as my little guy had just come home from a very disappointing session in the pool. He went from splashing around like a little turtle to avoiding the water completely in a few days. This book helped him to see that it is okay to be afraid and that with some thought and patience, he could get through it. Thanks Bressie, this is such a lovely book which will undoubtedly help my little guy deal with his fear and understand it's okay to be scared. He is now back in the water and enjoying it, thanks to your help.

[Mairéad · Rating 4 out of 5]

With lovely bright illustrations, a highly relatable story and a memorable action rhyme to use when you eed to overcome a scary moment this is a fabulous way of introducing mindfulness to young children. The foreword to parents is wonderfully written too - it's so important to remind ourselves that burying or hiding from big emotions is counterproductive in the long run!
Currently available as a free pdf from the publisher I think this would be a great addition to any teachers/parents library! https://www.gillbooks.ie/childrens/th...

[Lindsey Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my daughter who is still a little young but she seemed to like it.

Freddie is afraid to get into the swimming pool because of the other big noisy boys that where there so his dad took him home, so his nana came to see him and he told what happened at the pool. She tells that's ok, and shows him the magic moment trick which I think is great for kids because there is so much pressure on them now .

I love that Niall Breslin wrote this for children.

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book for kids to read! This is a book that all kids in school should have to read. There is a super technique in there for kids or adults to take on board and practise. I loved it!

[Monica Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book... sweet and easy tip to help children when they are afraid - unsure - sad - worried... deep breath...

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done!

An amazing technique and one that everyone should know. I love the pictures and found it was beautifully done. Well put together with a simple but amazing story.

[Sinead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for us.