Here and Now: A Lush Celebration of Mindfulness and Meditation for Kids

by Julia Denos, E.B. Goodale (Illustrator)

From the team behind Ezra Jack Keats Honor winner  Windows  comes  Here and Now . At turns wise and playful, this accessible, beautifully illustrated read soothes like a modern  Goodnight Moon.  Here and now . . . You may be reading a book. But somewhere, a phone is ringing, a baby is growing, and the earth is spinning in space. Even  you  are changing and growing in remarkable ways. Explore the joy of mindfulness, the wonder of our existence, and the marvel of our ever-connected world with this stunning padded board book.    

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Nature, Meditation, Poetry, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

Julia Denos earned a BFA in illustration from The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University. She lives outside of Boston.

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting meditation on mindfulness. I don't think I'd recommend it to very young children, but for those who are beginning to forget how to live in the moment, this book could be a good reminder.

The author's note at the end explains that she intended this book to be a meditation on the present moment. In that respect, it works. The gentle text and interesting illustrations show the reader the many different things that might be happening in that one moment, no matter where they are. It's definitely a book that's going to provoke some thought.

I enjoyed the illustrations in this one, too. They're quite cute, and the cast of characters is diverse.

As a quiet meditation, this book works. It would make a lovely bedtime read, but it would also be suitable as a way to take a moment and centre oneself in the middle of a hectic day.

Quotable moment:

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Julia Denos and illustrator E.B. Goodale, who previously collaborated on the picture-book Windows , join forces again in this lovely exploration of mindfulness, and being in the here and now. As the reader holds the book, the narrator informs them that any number of other things - phones ringing, a baby growing, an idea blooming - are also going on. At any given moment, the reader/listener themselves is "becoming," and that's a wonderful thing...

Inspired by a poem that Denos wrote as part of her meditation process, Here and Now is meant, according to the brief author's afterword, to encourage the reader and listener to slow down and notice the world around them. The simple but expressive text is paired with lovely mixed media artwork, created using ink, watercolor, monoprinting and digital collage. I don't know that this one really had the same appeal for me, that Windows did, but it is nevertheless a sweet and gentle look at being aware of the world around us. I would recommend it to anyone seeking picture-books meant to encourage mindfulness.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning, colorful picture book about the interconnectedness of all things and the ways in which "Unseen work is being done" all around us as we exist in the here and now. A lovely book about mediation and awareness, with illustrations that reflect cultural diversity in terms of age, race, and ability. Beautifully done!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

MEDITATION STORYTIME. Totally gonna do it.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to concentrate with being in the moment.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate that this story is, itself, a meditation. With the current conversations about representation and #ownvoices, however, this book fell short for me. The different colors of people feels disconnected to the 'why' of the story and I spent a lot of time wondering how these people were connected, if at all. Possibly not something a young listener / reader will ponder? Either way, I have mixed feelings about this book that likely many families will enjoy.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for the Mock Caldecott Awards. A book that is all about awareness of everything around you. All the things that are happening in your room, your home, your town, your state, your world all the time.

[Lin Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book written in beautiful prose and poetic form, every page of it reminds me of the amazing changes in nature, seen and unseen. Why the rush and hurry in our life? We learn to slow dance, and smell the flowers, and read a book, here and now.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about how the world is fit together, human and animal, plant and mineral. It takes us back and forth from the past, present and funeral. The illustrations are beautiful.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book has one of my favorite covers. It is calming and sweet and reflective. The text, an ode to being in and noticing the present moment, is gentle and would be a good way to introduce mindfulness as a concept to children. I think it's only flaw is that it went too broad - the noticing, arather than focusing on small things in a contained area, is kind of all over the place.

[Tiziana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reminder about mindfulness, to notice the world around us and to appreciate the here and now.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A living, breathing book. <3 the illustrations.

[Rhiley Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars!

[nika · Rating 5 out of 5]

i cried this is such a beautiful children’s book ❣️

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to explain why I love this one, but I’ll try. It starts with you, the reader, then expands outward all the way into space, before collapsing inward all the way back to you. The explanation of it as a meditation with words and page turns taking the place of breaths made a lot of sense afterwards. A lovely, grounding work. I am grateful for an experience that can so succinctly put my existence into perspective.

[Annie Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and a lovely message.

[Jordan Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great to find a new award winning book and this story was interesting to read. It had a very realistic and relatable feel to it. The pictures were drawn, not necessarily life like, but instead I could see them happening in real world situations. Illustrations like this are intriguing to me, but I feel like us as readers and listeners can make better connections to what is happening. For example, it starts with someone reading this book, with a picture of that person reading that book.
This book really emphasizes on how everyone is exactly who they are. There are so many things happening around us in our lives, others lives, even nature. It talks about how all those things around us contribute to people being exactly who they are. Be in the moments and do not let time and moments pass you by; enjoy it.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a traditional picture book structure. The story is a mindfulness study of you and what is happening around you while you read this book. The rhythmic words and sentences seem to relax the reader as you read this gentle story of what is happening as you experience the book. The colors are soft and not bright and striking but calming.

[Rebeca Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, meditation is the theme that surrounds the entirety of the book. It shows when the book uses the line "Right here/right now/you are reading this book." The book written by Julia Denos shows more of a rhythmic nature that is seen as evident in lyrics. The calming tone makes children think about the small things in life, but it also shows them to be grateful in the things they have. In the happier thoughts and stmosphere, children can learn about themselves and find ways that may calm themselves. Through the use of reading, playing, or have them reflect on the things they may help with anxiety or when they feel sad. In the illustrations, the watercolors and double-spread pages have the use of calming colors and the effective use of white space in different pages. The theme of living in the moment is also valuable to learn and to teach for students.

I liked the book overall with the nature of the book. In the idae of medication, I like how it encourages children to think about the world and not think that it's wierd to do so. As a activity, I would have this as an in between lesson or time so kids may have a break. For younger grade leveled readers, the slow pace will give a calming atmosphere that the way that medication can happen in different ways-like reading, breathing, or socailizing.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The team who created the award-winning picture book Windows returns with a look at mindfulness. The book walks readers through a different way to view their own place in the world. It closely examines the ground under our feet and what is happening all around us at any given time, like rain collecting in a cloud. Animals around us are living their lives. We are on a planet spinning in space. New friends are waiting and new connections are being formed. And you, you are becoming something too!

Denos writes in a poetic manner that draws lovely connections between us and our entire environment. She places the reader right in this moment, acknowledging the changes happening all around us and the fact that we ourselves are changing too. This is a book that looks at us as individuals but even more as part of something much larger than ourselves. The illustrations by Goodale are dramatic and impactful. Her diverse cast of characters travel through spinning space along with the reader, enjoying the stars, nature and community along the way.

Inclusive and universal, this book invites you to think differently. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A contemplative picture book inspired by the author's poem called "In the Moment" which she used as part of her meditative practice. The book begins with two sets of hands "reading this book." Then we see a reader holding this book which shows an illustration of that reader holding that page open that has an illustration of the reader holding the book open and so on. After that meta moment the focus is on observation, awareness and connection. Not only being aware of the grass and the dirt but of the earthworms and rocks beneath the dirt. Also recognizing that there are things that are happening simultaneously. ". . . many, many things are happening: Rain is forming in the belly of a cloud. An ant has finished its home on the other side of the planet. Somewhere a telephone is ringing." A thoughtful book for all ages that encourages mindfulness and reflection.

Author's note: "Right here, right now, you are done reading this book . . . but the story hasn't ended! Like this moment, you are full of every possibility. What will your story be as it grows right from this spot, right where you are?"

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunday morning, standing outside on the hill, clouds were at the beck and call of the wind. Wispy smoky clouds, barely above the horizon, were moving to the west and larger fuller clouds, higher and above them, were moving to the east. Birds were enjoying the benefits of a heavy earlier rainfall. After an overcast day, as dusk settled crickets chirped their evening chorus. Large wild rabbits, fur darkening, froze like statues, nearly blending in the tall weeds dying as autumn approaches.

Two recently released books ask readers to enjoy each and every moment pausing to consider our place in an infinite whole. Here and Now (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, September 3, 2019) written by Julia Denos with illustrations by E. B. Goodale (Windows Candlewick Press, October 10, 2017) explores finding the marvelous in minutes. It asks us to think of what others are doing in those same minutes.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Hannah Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike a lot of books that initially confuse me, I was more than happy to read Here and Now several times. The illustrations play with perspective in such a topsy-turvy, soft, and tender way - the giant, almost endless bed where stories and cuddly animals go on forever, feet swinging just above the chaos of stars cut from paper colored with crayons, and an upside-down ant home on the other side of the planet. Like the illustrations, the words are easy to get lost in. I've been unable to think about anything other than cloud bellies for hours now.

This is a beautiful book, one that may flummox you, but it's also a book that provides space for kids and adults to think about the exact moment they're living in and how they are connected to everything - from the tiniest ant to the world spinning in the universe. Here and Now will comfort and nourish your senses, and like the author's note says, give you a space for "real-time meditation."

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very calming book which helps to make children think about the small and simple things that are going on in the world around them right now. This helps children to focus on happier thoughts if they are feeling upset or worried. After reading this book with children you could discuss how they could use this to help themselves, for example, when they are feeling sad or anxious they can focus their mind onto other things to help reduce those feelings. I would read this book with KS1 children and discuss with them feelings and how this book can help them to deal with their own thoughts.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mindfulness picture book about being present to the moment at hand. The book features a variety of characters, but most prominently a Black child with medium dark skin and curly black hair who is with a caretaker with much lighter skin (adoptive parent? nanny/babysitter? are we to interpret the child as multi-racial?). Why this matters to me is because picture books (especially those by white authors/illustrators, as with this book) still so rarely choose to show Black children with Black parents/caregivers, which I think is a real shame.

Themes: Mindfulness
Age range: Preschool-Kindergarten

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this one more than I did. I like the idea of it as a book that encourages meditative thought and reflection, and the authors note at the end explaining how the page breaks created intentional pauses and space was cool. But (and I know this isn’t helpful) I just felt like the narrative wasn’t quite there yet. My 2.5 year old seemed to enjoy it and really liked the page with the image of all the hands holding the book. I think I’ll try it again when she’s older, and if it can actually encourage reflection or meditation I’ll be thrilled!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice and "in the moment" story. sort of reminds me of two books I used to use in story times ages ago to teach children to think about our world: Somewhere in the World Right Now and On the Same Day in March. Maybe Me on a Map, too! This book is similar, only with what someone or something is doing or happening at this very moment e.g.: I'm typing, someone up the street is having lunch, a baby is napping... all at the same moment! And the art work in it is lovely! I think it's a cool concept for littles! Great book!

[Ember Air · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love what this story was trying to do, and I love the artwork that was included in it! However, I don't feel like this book completely accomplished the goal of bringing kids to the "here and now", but instead opened the door to discuss what that meant and how to go about it. So, a great book with important discussion starters, but not really a "guided meditation to mindfulness" or anything like that.

[Nat Hookway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice picture book on mindfulness. I think it would make a good bedtime story too. Nice representation of BBIPOC: but please note this is not an #ownvoices book. It didn’t blow me away but maybe because I’ve read a lot of children’s books on mindfulness already. It’s a really nice book though and would recommend it for those looking to add a more diverse picture book regarding representation in their mindfulness/social emotional learning collection. .
3.5 stars.