The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story

by Uma Krishnaswami

Meena is excited about writing and making sets for the class play, an “improved” version of Red Riding Hood. But when her teacher insists Meena be one of the trees in the forest, she is miserable. “I can’t,” Meena says. “I’m too clumsy.” The next day at the Indian store with her mother, Meena sees a yoga class underway in the back. Soon Mrs. Vohra, the owner, convinces Meena to try the new children’s class. Over time Meena learns to breathe slowly and deeply—in, and out—and to make herself quiet inside. She learns to move in smooth, slow movements. But at school during play rehearsals, Meena still has trouble being a quiet, steady tree. The night of the play, Meena trips on her branches as she walks onstage. Drawing on what she learned in yoga class, Meena quiets herself and begins to move slowly and carefully. Turning near disaster into triumph, she becomes the happiest tree in the forest.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Realistic Fiction, Indian Literature, Aapi, India

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book that works on multiple levels. The story itself follows a young girl who is nervous about being a tree in her school's performance of "Little Red Ridinghood" (and, oh, by the way, it is a "new and improved" version of the fairytale so there are some twists like the woodcutter becoming a recycled paper salesman--haha, love it!) The little girl is a bit clumsy and she is afraid she will trip on stage. Her parents are very encouraging and a family friend suggests that the little girl try yoga. Through yoga, the little girl learns better control not only of her body, but of her mind and emotions. So she is ready to face the performance and be a strong tree, even if everything doesn't go quite as planned.

I really love that the book shares the benefits of yoga for children. Yoga is clearly gaining popularity here in the West, but it's almost an exclusively adult-marketed activity (at least, what I've seen). But there is really no reason children shouldn't be given the opportunity to learn the benefits of breathing, of gaining calmness over one's mind and emotions, and also the physical benefits of yoga. Adults aren't the only ones who face stressful situations!

The book could also work well for children facing stage fright. But, they might want to learn yoga as a way to cope, so be ready for that! There are some explanations of the poses in the back of the book, but if you aren't experienced in yoga a little bit first, it will probably be rather difficult to try to teach them to young ones.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first children's book I've seen about yoga. Meena is clumsy, and therefore reluctant to participate in the school play because of her clumsiness. However, taking yoga classes helps her to calm herself and focus on her part. I liked how the illustrations showed boys as well as girls and children of different ethnic backgrounds taking yoga. I used to take yoga--wish I was that bendable now!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to yoga book for children. It really seems to be designed specifically to create an interest in yoga, but there is a well told story that would stand alone; it’s not a text book but a story book.

The story is very sweet and would be especially good for children who could stand to gain some self-confidence.

There are some yoga poses (the ones that Meena, the main character, learns) in the back of the book.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

My quest for a picture book about yoga to have as a readaloud for Reading Week - which is focusing on physical activity - is not going very well. This would be ok for someone about to lead a yoga class with kids who want to be there, but I won't be using it.

[Eve Costarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Happiest Tree by Uma Krishnaswami is a story that encourages interest, bolsters determination and increases self-reflection. Through yoga, it shows how it is empowering and uplifting to challenge oneself. The main character, Meena, starts off with a weak sense of self and fearing rejection, but through acts of self-challenge, she emerges with inner strength and a strong self-esteem. The sweet illustrations by Ruth Jeyaveeran, show great expressions of interest, happiness, doubt and support that really highlight the emotional content of the story. I love the peppering of authentic Indian phrases throughout the story, making it culturally relevant and inviting. I highly recommend this endearing story of self-realization and inner peace.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meena is clumsy which causes her to be anxious about participating in a school play. She worries she will fall, trip, or something that will ruin the show and bring all attention to her. Away from school, Meena's aunt gets her involved in a yoga class. Meena struggles to find her balance but soon learns to slow down and breath. Could this practice possibly help her during the play? Meena will learn some valuable lessons simply by slowing down and breathing in and out, in and out.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clumsy kid learns how to relax, concentrate and have more control over her body thanks to yoga classes. This story probably hits home more for me than most people as I have been a dancer my whole life (and have studied yoga) and I have seen firsthand how movement classes can transform people mentally and physically.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl feels clumsy, even though her parents reassure her that she's just growing and this is temporary.
A series of yoga classes help her learn to control her body and mind.
This ends up helping her as she plays the part of a tree in her class play.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meena struggles with being clumsy as she's growing so fast. She discovers a yoga class and learns to center herself and be calm.
Helpful message for all those learning to stay focused and in control of their bodies.

[Stacy Natal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl that is clumsy and feels awkward about being on stage in the class play. She joins a yoga class and learns to center herself. It's a helpful message but the book is a little long for the age it is targeting.

[Henessy Tolliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a really good book to include in your children’s library because the book have a creative way of teaching children about yoga and how it can help to boost your confidence. The book includes colorful yoga poses so your able to visualize exactly what yoga is.

[Lisa]

This book tried to pack way too many things in to me, although maybe it's just aimed at older kids. The main character beat herself up too much to me, and layering Little Red Riding Hood on the whole thing felt unnecessary. The illustrations were pretty, though.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids learn about self-confidence in this book

[Lesley Burnap · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to yoga for children. A young girl learns to quiet her mind and body to participate in a class play.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story" is a book addressed at children in elementary school, probably up to 3rd grade. I chose this book, because it addresses issues children of that age are struggling with. For many students, especially those learning a second language or a new culture it is difficult to be confident. This book tells a story of a shy, clumsy girl developing into a confident girl. She becomes confident through family and community support. The readers find out that she is of an Indian ethnicity, but she is just like every other child in her classroom and her ethnicity is not accented in this book it is her self-confidence that is the main point. Throughout the book we are exposed to some elements of the Indian culture and the Hindi language, (there is a glossary at the end as well). Young readers are also introduced to Yoga. I found this book to be very warm, gentle and stereotype free. It doesn't concentrate on the aspect of ethnicity, but on the issues connected to growing up - very appealing to young readers. We learn about the ethnic background of the girl, which I believe suggests that this story could be about a child of any ethnic background, it is the child that is most important and not his or her ethnicity. I can see this book being used in an early childhood classroom when learning about individual differences and self confidence, which we want our students to develop.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Happiest Tree is about a girl named Meena who is excited about her class play until she discovers that she has to play a steady and graceful tree. Meena feels insecure and clumsy until she learns that she can overcome obstacles through perseverance. She discovers yoga to help her work on being steady and sure. The book has some challenging words and sentence structures, compared to the other books I chose. I would use this book to introduce complex sentence structure and advanced vocabulary. As a teacher I would also use this book as a text-to-self to discuss overcoming obstacles and the power of determination. The author is Uma Krishmaswamiv who wrote several other children’s book I chose. The illustrator Ruth Jeyaveeran also illustrated The Road to Mumbai. The book is a sweet story about facing difficulties and how to overcome them. The book will also inspire kids to try yoga and new things.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Happiest Tree A Yoga Story by Uma Krishnaswami, illustrated by Ruth Jeyaveeran – Here’s a special read aloud for 2nd/3rd graders who need to hear about patience, practice, and faith in oneself. Meena has a difficult time at school because she believes she is clumsy. This impacts her choices when it comes to volunteering to be in a class play and how she portrayed a tree in the character she was assigned. Learning yoga does give people a center, a focus, and Uma really shows how helpful this is to Meena through the story… I wish students could benefit from a little weekly down time yoga focus in their lives. My son grew up with a day care provider who often opened her days with a yoga for kids video and he never stopped enjoying going through the positions.

[HM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meena is clumsy acting as a tree in the class play Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, and she is upset about it. She joins a yoga class and learns about the tree, cat, frog, butterfly poses. She learns about balancing and breathing methods. In the class play, she trip and in the end complete her acting. I would recommend this book to yoga lovers and children who are not good at balancing or motor skills can practice with the yoga poses too.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another really nice and fun book from Lee and Low. I spent a couple years on an online critique group with Uma. I never met her in person, but I do feel like I know her a little bit. She really knows her craft of writing and she is an intelligent and thoughtful critiquer!

The illustrations and text work together just like a good picture book should.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't stress enough how much I loved this book. While not specifically about dyspraxia, I think every child with dyspraxia should read this book. It talks so gently about being clumsy and calming it down and going slow. It uses yoga to frame its lessons about taking deep breaths and stilling your insides. Its a wonderful book.

[Abby Peskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book to encourage children to try yoga, especially children who suffer from sensory or coordination deficits. It is a little text-heavy, so I would recommend it for children 7-10. However, the experienced parent could adapt the story line for a younger child as well and just read fewer of the words. The pictures are a great demonstration of what is happening in the story.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meena is a tree in the school play. She thinks she is too clumsy and signs up for yoga class. She learns to be still, work in slow movements, breathe deep and be calm inside. Good picture book for ages 4-7.

[Laree Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for children. It discusses an Indian girl who is trying to overcome the everyday obstacles of growing up. I believe that all children will be able to relate to this story and have had or will have similar experiences.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, cute, cute!

[Shannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun kids book about the value of yoga. Ray loved it and got right off the bed to do the yoga poses in the back of the book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to yoga for kids! Too long for story time but a wonderful book to read one on one.

[Carrie Marie Lawson Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meena is a tree in the school play but practices self control through yoga

[Caridad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! Meena was able to use her yoga practice to help her with her self-confidence.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it. It's on the longer side though. I hope the ST kids have the patience to sit through it.

[Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meena learns to negotiate with the body and mind to do the impossible twists and turns in a meditation called Yoga.