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What Does It Mean to Be...?
What Does It Mean to Be Present?:
A Mom's Choice Gold Award Winner, What Does It Mean to Be Present? is the perfect introduction to mindfulness for kids and learning empathy at all ages.
Being present means...
Noticing when someone needs help
Waiting patiently for your turn
Focusing on what's happening now
Follow a group of friends at school, at home, and at the beach as they become mindful kids and experience just what it means to be present.
More Awards for What Does It Mean to Be Present?:
The Living Now: Books For Better Living Award
The Nautilus Silver Award for Children's Picture Book
The Moonbeam Gold Children's Book Award for Mind-Body-Spirit/Self-Esteem
Being present means...
Noticing when someone needs help
Waiting patiently for your turn
Focusing on what's happening now
Follow a group of friends at school, at home, and at the beach as they become mindful kids and experience just what it means to be present.
More Awards for What Does It Mean to Be Present?:
The Living Now: Books For Better Living Award
The Nautilus Silver Award for Children's Picture Book
The Moonbeam Gold Children's Book Award for Mind-Body-Spirit/Self-Esteem
36 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
12 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 3, 2013
Rana DiOrio's award winning book, "What Does It Mean To Be Present" is truly a gift. The book is beautifully written and illustrated, and its subject matter is timeless, despite the fact that being "present" at first seems like a sort of "new-agey" concept. As DiOrio's book explains, being present is simply living life to the fullest, being present and aware of all that we do, all the time. This is important in today's world, in which people (big and small, young or old) always seem to be looking ahead to whatever is coming next, rather than savoring the moment they are currently in. As with all the books in this series, the information is presented is a gentle, encouraging way that truly influences children for the better. If you have a gift giving occasion coming up, I highly recommend that you make a present of "Present"!
December 9, 2010
Great for hurried children and adults alike - a particularly lovely book for those ill or challenged with a relevant message to savor the moment.
November 21, 2014
Simply Amazing!
I'm an avid mediator. Now that my children are getting to an age where they are becoming curious about what I'm doing when I mediate, this book gives them great insight into both what it is that I am doing, plus a wonderful story about why I take the time to mediate each day, as well as an enchanting, and a beautiful illustration of the value in presence, while teaching about how to achieve presence in mind and peacefulness
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has or teaches children. It could also be used to learn about presence and mindfulness together!
Wishing you well!
I'm an avid mediator. Now that my children are getting to an age where they are becoming curious about what I'm doing when I mediate, this book gives them great insight into both what it is that I am doing, plus a wonderful story about why I take the time to mediate each day, as well as an enchanting, and a beautiful illustration of the value in presence, while teaching about how to achieve presence in mind and peacefulness
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has or teaches children. It could also be used to learn about presence and mindfulness together!
Wishing you well!
December 29, 2012
What a wonderfully illustrated book to show and explain to children (and a simple reminder to adults) what it means to be a contributing citizen in our world. Appreciating what you have, saying thank you, enjoying the sun and rain, being aware of the simple things you have in your life and being grateful. This is another book I'm looking forward to sharing with my students, and hopes that it will strike a chord with many as how to be great citizens in our world.
December 9, 2017
Text-to-Self/World
This book was simple, yet, amazing at the same time! Reading this book not only made me reevaluate myself but to also rethink on how I view things and how to be present in the moment. Unconsciously, we often get caught up on the "next thing" that must be done or complete. Which in turn distracts us from the focus of today. My favorite quote in the book is, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift-that's why we call it the present!" This book expresses that when we’re all present, life can be much richer, fuller, and happier! A response activity could be a writing assignment, following with a simple question as, “how are you feeling today?”
This book was simple, yet, amazing at the same time! Reading this book not only made me reevaluate myself but to also rethink on how I view things and how to be present in the moment. Unconsciously, we often get caught up on the "next thing" that must be done or complete. Which in turn distracts us from the focus of today. My favorite quote in the book is, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift-that's why we call it the present!" This book expresses that when we’re all present, life can be much richer, fuller, and happier! A response activity could be a writing assignment, following with a simple question as, “how are you feeling today?”
January 5, 2024
Simple and direct.
July 23, 2018
Loved this book as a way to talk with kids about what being present means. Just re-read this today after using it in some class in January when kids returned from holidays. The images are wonderful. I found the content and suggestions of what it means to be present allowed for a great discussion afterwards. In my library class, we did a brainstorm of the book suggestions and then added some of our own. Students then drew or wrote about one thing that they thought they could improve/work on to be more present. Great for them to have something to come back to and reflect on.
Free lesson plan ideas for K-3 from the author: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/P...
Free lesson plan ideas for K-3 from the author: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/P...
April 1, 2013
Here is a unique little book. I came across because I really like Eliza Wheeler's illustration style and wanted to see more. I was intrigued by the title and once I got my hands on it, found that it covers a topic I've never really seen a book on before. How do we teach children to be focused, attentive, observant and aware? Another reviewer wrote that this book is "midly instructive" and I think that is a great way of putting it. I hate books that hit you over the head with their message and luckily this isn't one of those books. I think it would be of great use in the classroom to open discussion about how to be present as a student. Parents and children could enjoy together as well.
December 23, 2013
What Does It Mean To Be Present? by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler – mindfulness, presence, living life and engaging in activities in a thoughtful manner. Started with humor and then led to numerous ideas on how you should be mindful. My school is going to run a group that focuses on mindfulness this year. I’m purchasing a few books on this topic and this book is a perfect fit for beginning the discussion.
October 12, 2011
This whole series is getting well recieved by our customers. This book in particular does better because of the illustrations and unique message. When I read this aloud to my 2 1/2 year old cousin I left off the word "no" on the first 3 pages. I didn't think it was necessary since he doesn't exactly know many of the situations presented in the book anyway.
March 25, 2013
Series recommended by a friend from Martha's Vineyard UU Church. Our Minister read the book for the kids as part of a unit/sermon on Meditation and Mindfulness. A few of the words in the book needed a equivalent but slightly easer word. "What does it mean to be Present?" kept their attention.
May 14, 2015
We really liked this book available through Reading Rainbow's Skybrary. The narrator was delightful, and I really appreciated the way the author described being present in language that a child could really relate to. I think we'l come back to this one periodically.
November 5, 2010
Just read it to my almost 3 year old boy three times. I love gentle, mildly instructive, sweet books like this.
November 20, 2011
Excellent book for teaching children to be present-focused, and mindful.
April 15, 2013
I liked this book a lot. The idea of truly examining the word present for its full intended meaning is really smart. I liked the writing, and the illustrations complimented the text well.
April 26, 2015
I love the message of mindfulness in this simple little picture book. It's a nice lesson for children and an even nicer reminder for adults.
Read
December 3, 2013This book taught me a lot about the true meaning of being present really is. I would use this in my classroom, and make a class project out of it.
September 3, 2014
I loved this reminder to live in the moment and appreciate the time we have.
February 15, 2015
Excellent book! Great way to teach morals and mindfulness without religious teachings. Love it!
July 22, 2015
Really liked this book. Great kid AND adult book.
August 13, 2015
I liked this book about what it means to be present. Great to share with kids and use as a reminder throughout the year. Parents too.
December 13, 2015
I love this book for teaching children how to be responsible and kind. I am looking forward to using it in my class.
November 8, 2018
Rana DiOrio’s book, What Does It Mean to be Present? Is a short and sweet story. Two children, a boy and girl live out their day doing many things. This includes going to class and participating in show and tell while there. However, they realize this isn’t what makes their day, this isn’t what being present means. The children start to actually be present by listening carefully to others, giving a helping hand, and appreciating life for what it is. By doing each of these things, the children are able to experience the true meaning of being present.
The impression this book made toward me was how meaningful of a story it is. The very thing that caught my eye was the concept it was conveying to young readers. The author as well as the illustrator was successful in providing examples through the setting. For example, whether the children were in school or at the beach, there was something within that particular setting which made it special. The warm and cool colors of the illustrations made it a welcoming environment in support of the concept. The author also incorporated characters other than children such as parents. To me, this made a reach to a larger audience, which meant this concept may be applied to more than just children. Both of these elements really tie together the success of the book.
The impression this book made toward me was how meaningful of a story it is. The very thing that caught my eye was the concept it was conveying to young readers. The author as well as the illustrator was successful in providing examples through the setting. For example, whether the children were in school or at the beach, there was something within that particular setting which made it special. The warm and cool colors of the illustrations made it a welcoming environment in support of the concept. The author also incorporated characters other than children such as parents. To me, this made a reach to a larger audience, which meant this concept may be applied to more than just children. Both of these elements really tie together the success of the book.
November 8, 2019
What Does It Mean To Be Present is on my favorites shelf because it is a great way to support students with social-emotional behavior/learning and to be overall present in the moment. This book teaches students vocabulary linked to patience, appreciation, and taking opportunities. The characters in this book are diverse and kind to each other regardless of race, gender, or class and it highlights the importance of kindness. At the end of this story, the author urges the young readers to go out and spread the word of living in the moment, and live richer, fuller, and happier lives by being present.
In the reading classroom, this book good be utilized in a couple of different ways. From a comprehension standpoint, the teacher can use this story as a model to be present while reading and focusing on what is happening in the moment. There are also vocabulary terms in this passage to help students understand the importance of listening carefully while someone is speaking, in other words, being present in the moment. Other great vocabulary to teach in this book could be: grateful, relishing, rhythm, and peaceful. This book could be read to any grades K-8, however; the level of complexity for a reader could be centered on grades 1-4.
In the reading classroom, this book good be utilized in a couple of different ways. From a comprehension standpoint, the teacher can use this story as a model to be present while reading and focusing on what is happening in the moment. There are also vocabulary terms in this passage to help students understand the importance of listening carefully while someone is speaking, in other words, being present in the moment. Other great vocabulary to teach in this book could be: grateful, relishing, rhythm, and peaceful. This book could be read to any grades K-8, however; the level of complexity for a reader could be centered on grades 1-4.
August 30, 2020
What Does It Mean to be Present? is a Children's Book by the author Rana Diorio and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. The aim of this book is to teach kids to live in the present without worrying about the past and the future. Many of us worry about past, some of us worry about future, some of us are in the present but lost in daydreaming. So, to be present means listening carefully when someone is speaking.
The practical tips given at the end of the book will help kids to learn how they can be in the present. All you have to do is to focus, be aware and use your senses.
Being present means living in the moment.
It means realizing that yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery.
This book is written and narrated well. I enjoyed reading this book and it opened my eyes to be present in the moment to live a happier life. The illustrations are beautiful and the cover page is nice. I recommend this book to little kids.
The practical tips given at the end of the book will help kids to learn how they can be in the present. All you have to do is to focus, be aware and use your senses.
Being present means living in the moment.
It means realizing that yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery.
This book is written and narrated well. I enjoyed reading this book and it opened my eyes to be present in the moment to live a happier life. The illustrations are beautiful and the cover page is nice. I recommend this book to little kids.
January 23, 2025
What Does It Mean to Be Present? by Rana DiOrio is a beautifully written and illustrated book that teaches children the importance of mindfulness in a simple, relatable way. The narrative encourages kids to embrace the present moment by paying attention to their surroundings, being kind to others, and focusing on what truly matters. The vibrant illustrations by Eliza Wheeler add warmth and charm, making the concepts even more engaging for young readers.
This book is perfect for children aged 4-8, but its message resonates with adults too. It gently introduces mindfulness as a tool to enhance happiness and reduce stress in everyday life. Parents and teachers will appreciate its ability to spark meaningful discussions about emotional awareness and gratitude.
Overall, this is a must-have for any child's library, offering timeless lessons in a delightful package.
This book is perfect for children aged 4-8, but its message resonates with adults too. It gently introduces mindfulness as a tool to enhance happiness and reduce stress in everyday life. Parents and teachers will appreciate its ability to spark meaningful discussions about emotional awareness and gratitude.
Overall, this is a must-have for any child's library, offering timeless lessons in a delightful package.
October 3, 2017
This book describes what it is for someone to really be present. Not just being somewhere, but really taking in the moment and listening and living. It not only tells what it means, but it also tells how to do it and why it’s important. I thought it was really sweet, necessary, and lovely. I especially appreciate the variety of cultures displayed by the illustrator. I would read this to a 1st - 3rd grade class and really explain why it’s so important and help the kids discuss the benefits and practical applications.
November 16, 2025
This thoughtful picture book gently teaches mindfulness and the importance of living in the moment. Through calm, relatable examples, it helps children understand that “being present” means paying attention, listening, and appreciating what’s happening right now. The language is simple but powerful, and the illustrations support the message with bright, comforting imagery.
I love how this book connects to social-emotional learning by helping children slow down and reflect. It’s a great tool for teaching focus, gratitude, and self-awareness in both classroom and home settings.
I love how this book connects to social-emotional learning by helping children slow down and reflect. It’s a great tool for teaching focus, gratitude, and self-awareness in both classroom and home settings.
March 20, 2017
Books like these, written simply and intended for children, are wonderful in that they make ideas like being present (or in DiOrio's other books: being kind and being green) accessible and understandable. In reading this book I was reminded of the little things I can do to be present every day and I hope that by reading it to my son while he is young that I can teach him those skills so that he can use them throughout his life.
July 19, 2018
Probably 3 stars for the story and 4 stars for the concept/messaging. A nice mix of sensory awareness and cultivating gratefulness/thankfulness or being aware of how to enjoy the moment.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews