Each Breath a Smile

by Thich Nhat Hanh, Nguyen Thi Hop (Illustrations), Nguyen Dong (Illustrations)

Each Breath a Smile introduces preschool-aged children to mindful breathing. Through beautiful color illustrations, children learn to connect with their breathing to help them experience calmness and enjoy a deeper relationship with their friends and family. Illustrations of trees, frogs, crickets, and birds remind them of the many simple joys available in the world around them.

With twenty-eight full-page color illustrations by artists Nguyen Thi Hop and Nguyen Dong, this book will delight children while serving as a valuable resource for parents and teachers.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Buddhism, Spirituality

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2002

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take this book with me and read it to my grandchildren when I visit them, ages 7, 5, 1.5. It draws their attention and they eagerly and naturally participate with the children on the pages. Their energy shifts into calm focus and enjoyment in the first few pages. We especially like reading it outside surrounded by nature.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to bring down the energy of storytime, especially for storytime outside. It is diverse in terms of race and gender.

[Jackie Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's definitely NOT the first time reading this lovely book (which we own) but perfect kick off to my last day at PLNL Children's section no less 😀 👏 yay!!

[Ch_hayley Medsker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each Breath a Smile, a story told by Sister Susan, but based on the teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen Master, is verse based on mindful living for children. The text describes peaceful and calm activity and awareness. Such as, "Listen to the wind. Listen to the birds. Listen to the crickets and the frogs. Listen very quietly to you breathing...Breathing in, I am blooming like a flower. Breathing out, I feel fresh. Flower, fresh." The watercolor illustrations correlate nicely with the fluid and relaxed message of the text. Additionally, the illustrations are seemingly culturally balanced; representative of a variety of ethnic backgrounds. I appreciated the note at the back of the book for parents and teachers: Mindfulness is being present each moment of the day, being aware of what is happening here and now. In addition, the 'About the Authors' information is interesting, and provides a bit of history behind conscious living and breathing. This is great for pre-K through 1st or 2nd grade. This would be great to introduce outside during a poetry unit; students could use the author as a mentor, and use some of the beautiful literary style used in Each Breath a Smile.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each Breath a Smile based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Story by Sister Susan, illustrated by Nguyen Thi Hop & Nguyen Dong – Mindfulness focus- terrific simple approach to meditation and awareness of breath.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this every evening. It helps center us and helps our daughter relax before bed.

[Genpren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best meditation book, bar none.