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Rest & Relax: Sleepy Time for Little Ones
"A simple body scan exercise that adults and toddlers can do together to soothe themselves and get ready for sleep. One of four stylish board books in the Mindful Tots series, designed to help toddlers manage the ups and downs of everyday emotions"
- GenresPicture Books
16 pages, Board book
First published January 1, 2020
About the author
Whitney Stewart
54 books31 followersWhitney Stewart has interviewed the 14th Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Sir Edmund Hillary for her young adult biographies. She has traveled all over Europe and Asia to write her books. When she is not writing, she is usually visiting schools and libraries to give talks.
Her personal interests are in reading, traveling, yoga, meditation, and sea kayaking. She lives with her husband and son.
Her personal interests are in reading, traveling, yoga, meditation, and sea kayaking. She lives with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 25, 2020
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsno...
REST & RELAX is a great book that presents a form of mindfulness or meditation for little ones. This book is a way to get them settled in for a nap or bedtime. The book gives instructions on one side of each page spread and shows children acting out the motions on the other side. For instance, on one page, they are supposed to spread their fingers wide, wiggle them, and then tighten their fingers before relaxing them. The illustration shows children making these motions on the other side of the page.
What I loved: These instructions are easy for toddlers to follow. Even though my very active young child does not settle down while reading this one, he loves to act out the motions and will do them at other times. I think these concepts are helpful for any age when you are trying to clear your mind and settle down, so it is great to learn early. Regardless, it's great lessons as to where body parts are and the ways in which you can move them, which are also a valuable skills for young readers. The illustrations feature diverse children, which is also really great to see, and the way that they are acting out the motions are helpful to describe and follow. I would imagine that this could be helpful for children who have a lot of things running through their minds.
Final verdict: This is a great instructional book on mindfulness/meditation that toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy. Actions are easily conveyed in an approachable way with helpful and colorful illustrations that will delight board book readers.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
REST & RELAX is a great book that presents a form of mindfulness or meditation for little ones. This book is a way to get them settled in for a nap or bedtime. The book gives instructions on one side of each page spread and shows children acting out the motions on the other side. For instance, on one page, they are supposed to spread their fingers wide, wiggle them, and then tighten their fingers before relaxing them. The illustration shows children making these motions on the other side of the page.
What I loved: These instructions are easy for toddlers to follow. Even though my very active young child does not settle down while reading this one, he loves to act out the motions and will do them at other times. I think these concepts are helpful for any age when you are trying to clear your mind and settle down, so it is great to learn early. Regardless, it's great lessons as to where body parts are and the ways in which you can move them, which are also a valuable skills for young readers. The illustrations feature diverse children, which is also really great to see, and the way that they are acting out the motions are helpful to describe and follow. I would imagine that this could be helpful for children who have a lot of things running through their minds.
Final verdict: This is a great instructional book on mindfulness/meditation that toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy. Actions are easily conveyed in an approachable way with helpful and colorful illustrations that will delight board book readers.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
April 24, 2020
The reader is guided through a body awareness exercise, squeezing and tightening their legs and arms, and then releasing and relaxing. Beginning from the toes and feet and ending with the shoulders and neck, this book teaches mindfulness in a relatable and age-appropriate way for toddlers. At the end, the reader is prepared to rest and sleep.
The text is just right for toddlers, giving clear instructions in a simple and fun manner that is easily understandable.
"Let's choose a spot and lie down.
Wiggle your toes, then squeeze them -
Tight, tight, tight!
Now relax your toes and let them rest."
The illustrations are adorable. The bright colors really catch your eye, and each of the children in the pictures are full of energy and joy. The drawings are also very useful for demonstrating each action that the text is describing. I think it's very cute that both children and adults join in the movements, and there is a seeing-eye/ service dog that joins in the fun too!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
The text is just right for toddlers, giving clear instructions in a simple and fun manner that is easily understandable.
"Let's choose a spot and lie down.
Wiggle your toes, then squeeze them -
Tight, tight, tight!
Now relax your toes and let them rest."
The illustrations are adorable. The bright colors really catch your eye, and each of the children in the pictures are full of energy and joy. The drawings are also very useful for demonstrating each action that the text is describing. I think it's very cute that both children and adults join in the movements, and there is a seeing-eye/ service dog that joins in the fun too!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
April 4, 2020
This board book was a 2.5 for me, and I did enjoy the fact that it was in English and Spanish and offers tips for calming down and relaxing various body parts in preparation for bed. Each page has directions for youngsters to move their bodies in certain ways, a series of gentle exercises that could be completed alone or with a parent, sibling or caregiver. I liked the multicultural cast of youngsters depicted but would have liked an introduction that made it clear earlier that the moves were intended for bedtime or nap time. Otherwise, without the last couple of pages, it would seem that these exercises could be completed at any time of the day when someone just needed to relax. Then again, perhaps that was the point of the book.
April 19, 2020
A terrific series to begin showing youngsters mindfulness through yoga. Reading through two titles in the series, I will write one review for both.
In Rest & Relax, Stewart talks the listener through some simple exercises that young children can do, coaching them to focus on each movement to achieve calmness and relaxation. The exercises include tightening and then relaxing body parts - toes, legs, tummy, hands, arms, shoulders, and ending with breathing. Illustrations of what appears to be gouache applied with stamps are lively and will get children off the sofa and working out.
Recommended for toddler - PrK.
In Rest & Relax, Stewart talks the listener through some simple exercises that young children can do, coaching them to focus on each movement to achieve calmness and relaxation. The exercises include tightening and then relaxing body parts - toes, legs, tummy, hands, arms, shoulders, and ending with breathing. Illustrations of what appears to be gouache applied with stamps are lively and will get children off the sofa and working out.
Recommended for toddler - PrK.
May 31, 2020
Rituals make bedtime fun and productive. Following a simple routine of relaxing the body, mind and energy patterns can help tots settle down and get ready for sleep. I especially love the bi-lingual version of this story. The simple rhymes in both English and Spanish will assist all children to appreciate diversity and can plant the seeds for a broader worldwide view for peace, love and happiness for all. Three cheers! The illustrations by Rocio Alejandro are so adorable and the children just emanate sensitivity, cooperation and inclusion. Highly recommend!
May 19, 2021
board book for beginning mindfulness/relaxing
November 5, 2024
Very helpful in demonstrating to kids how we can relax our bodies to help fall asleep.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews