Bedtime stories for children abound, but what about a book to help children get up and ready for the day? Good Morning Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Wake Up Story by Mariam Gates and illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder encourages children to breathe, stretch, and move as part of a comforting wake up routine.
Be aware that before reading this book, you should have a nice open bit of floor nearby, because readers are going to want to try out all the poses right away.
Written in the first person voice, each two-page spread consists of detailed instructions for a pose, starting with the gently repeating phrase
“As I breathe in, as I breathe out,”
as well as a single sentence or phrase in a larger font that gives a more general description of the pose to help children remember it. The illustrations also help with positioning.
Mariam Gates is an experienced teacher and is also married to a yoga teacher, so she has chosen a series of poses appropriate for children. For ease of use, the entire sequence is also repeated in the back matter with a series of smaller illustrations.
It isn’t a stretch to say this Good Morning Yoga is a book children will want to return to again and again. Pick up a copy for use whenever children need a energizing break or pick-me-up session throughout the day.
Related:
This video book trailer shows Mariam Gates discussing her motivations for writing the book, as well as a peek into one of her yoga classes for kids.
Watching this video makes me wish I could take her classes.
Extras include a Yoga Story Hour Kit for active story times at home, library, school, or bookstores.
Yoga Story Hour Kit by sarahshealy
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Sounds True (March 1, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1622036026
ISBN-13: 978-1622036028
Ready for bed instead? Be sure to check out the popular Good Night Yoga.
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Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.