10 Best Mindfulness Books for Kids in 2022 (Pediatrician/LGBTQ+ Life Coach-Reviewed)
Are you looking for a way to help your toddler deal with the separation anxiety they experience every time you leave the room? Or perhaps you’d like to find a way to keep your preteen from slamming their bedroom door in a fit of anger every time you tell them to do their homework. Introducing your child to the world of mindfulness may offer you the solution you've been searching for!
We’ve assembled a list of the best books available for introducing children and their parents to mindfulness concepts and practices. At the top of this impressive list is Mariam Gates' Good Night Yoga, a yoga-based story that uses elements of nature to engage children in a more mindful bedtime routine. We hope the information and options provided in this guide will help you and your child as you begin this journey together!
Quick List - Top Mindfulness Books for Kids
Upon completing a successful pediatric career that spanned 30 years, Dr. Lulu embraced her childhood dream of becoming an author. She now has 4 bestsellers and is an acclaimed motivational speaker, talk show host and certified life coach. She helps parents of LGBTQ+ kids understand, accept and support their children through their coming out process and beyond.
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The Basics and Benefits of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the state of being in the present and living in the moment. It emphasizes staying in tune with one’s feelings and thoughts, as well as those of the people around them. The practice of mindfulness offers a wide range of benefits, for adults and children alike.
Mindfulness can provide children with the tools they need to cope with stress and anxiety in their daily lives. Yes, kids get stressed too! In reality, children are exhibiting signs of stress and anxiety at a younger age than ever before.
While kids may have notoriously short attention spans, mindfulness practices can provide many ways to improve a child’s ability to “pay attention.” Mindfulness can also provide children with special needs, such as ADHD/ADD or autism, with valuable tools to help them stay focused.
Many of us have heard the word mindfulness thrown around. But what exactly does mindfulness mean? Why is it important? What happens to us when we practice it or don't? How early can we begin practicing this important habit?
Here's what I've come to know about mindfulness: mindfulness is about you, your mental health, and your selfcare. It's about your presence and your intentions. For me, mindfulness brings my sense of calm. That's something that children need, too!
How to Choose Mindfulness Books for Kids
The world of online shopping can leave you feeling overwhelmed and bombarded with options. As you begin your search, consider the information provided in this guide to help point you in the right direction!
Explore Mindfulness Themes and Concepts
Mindfulness encompasses a wide range of themes and concepts, so it’s important to consider what specific themes and concepts you are interested in introducing to your kids. While the possibilities are nearly endless, here are some of the popular concepts that are featured.
Learn Patience and Self-Control
Regardless of their age, patience is always a difficult skill for children (and some adults) to master. Many books focus on teaching children the value of patience and provide them with healthy examples of self-control.
In my book, How to Raise Well-Rounded Children, I discuss how patience and mindfulness are separate and important traits that must be instilled in children.
Patience is the ability to wait your turn with intention and a great attitude. It instills the ability to practice self-control both with yourself and with others, as well as the ability to accept or tolerate delays, suffering or trouble without getting upset.
Since both children and adults struggle with this, there's no better time to begin than when our children are young and impressionable. That way they won't struggle with patience as adults.
Help Kids Practice Empathy and Compassion
In learning to be in tune with their feelings, children also become more aware of the feelings of those around them. When kids are capable of empathizing with the feelings of others it allows them to become more compassionate individuals.
Empathy is the ability to feel for someone based on our own prior experiences. It's the ability to sense, accept and hold space for others. One way you can give your child an example of empathy is by making a "Get Well Soon" Card with them when their friends are sad or don't feel well.
Also, encouraging your child to talk to their friends about their own emotions can help your child get in tune better with themself and with others.
Understand Emotional Awareness and Regulation
Many children find it difficult to identify how they feel, which often leads to frustration. This frustration can then lead to behavioral issues, such as tantrums or outbursts. When a child is capable of identifying and accepting their emotions, it provides them with the tools they need to regulate those emotions on their own.
It's important that children learn early in life that they're in control of their emotions how they respond to situations. Emotional awareness is recognizing a behavior or mood and learning to label it. This helps a child to self-regulate, meaning they can adjust their responses to the situations according to the best of their abilities.
Practicing the combination of emotional awareness and emotional regulation helps both children and adults master the concept of O = E+R. O stands for Outcome, E is the Event or circumstance affecting us, and R is our Response to the circumstance.
Determine Which Learning Style Best Suits Your Child
Identifying the learning style that best suits your child can help determine what type of book will meets their individual needs and preferences.
Try a Natural Approach With Child-Initiated Learning
When learning is guided by the child, based on their personal interests and preferences, it is referred to as "Child-Initiated Learning."
In this learning style, many children will naturally gravitate toward reading as a chosen activity, without influence. For children with a daily reading routine, books with mindfulness themes can simply be made available to them in their existing “library” at home.
Children are very inquisitive. Many of them want to lead the way when it comes to learning, especially through books and environmental exploration. This is called child-initiated learning.
Child-initiated learning means giving children the opportunity to plan and develop their play and interests. By taking this approach instead of the traditional, teacher-directed approach, we enable our kids to develop the critical skills they need on their own terms.
Participate With Parent-Initiated Learning
When reading is introduced and guided by an adult it is considered "Adult-Initiated Learning." Many parents choose to read aloud to their child as part of a bedtime routine, while others may have the child read to or along with them. This can also provide more opportunities to discuss the book's concepts in depth.
While child-initiated learning is important, we as parents must also engage in traditional teacher-to-student learning styles. This way, we act as guides and as our children's first teachers, promoting their interactive learning and development.
Parents also take on a supervisory role in this form of teaching and learning. The aim is to develop family resilience and promote positive parenting behaviors. Parents can find books that teach mindfulness they like and read it or share the reading with their kids.
Choose Play-Based Learning to Introduce Concepts
We learn most of what we know from interacting with our environment, and children are no different.
"Play-Based Learning" is one of the most organic forms of learning because it is an instinct we are already wired with. Books featuring games and activities that explore mindfulness themes can be a good resource for introducing mindfulness concepts to children (and adults) of all ages.
Children love to play. It is a thing! They also love to learn, so it's a winning combination when we put the two of them together. Since children enjoy reading, we can use a combination of books and environmental exploration for maximal results.
I recommend that parents can look for books that teach as well as entertain. Games and fun activities to engage your child's mind are also great. There are plenty of activities that are geared to help kids practice mindfulness as well.
Explore Other Learning Styles
There is an endless list of learning styles a child may respond to, so be sure to mix it up! Children want variety in their lives just as much as we do. Just because a child gravitates toward one learning style doesn't mean they won't respond to others.
Other resources, like workbooks, can be valuable resources for use with any of the above learning styles. Workbooks and activity cards featuring mindfulness games and exercises are available for children of all ages, and they help kids put what they've learned into practice.
There's a variety of learning styles. The term "learning styles" refers to different ways in which we learn, process, and retain information. Parents should find books and activities that create a fun variety of ways their children can learn about mindfulness.
The main learning styles are visual, auditory, tactile (touch-based), and kinesthetic (movement-based). Mixing up these styles of activities helps children learn with no restrictions.
Look for a Type of Book Intended for Your Child's Age Group
There are a wide variety of book styles available, so be sure to choose a book style that meets your child’s developmental needs.
Pick Board Books for Infants and Toddlers
Sturdy board books are the most common book style available for infants and toddlers, but don’t forget to consider other types of literature as well. For example, sensory books and songbooks both allow young children to engage their senses while introducing mindfulness concepts.
When it comes to children under three years of age, there are various kinds of books that parents can use. In addition to the books mentioned above, I also recommend activity books, sticker books, and picture books.
Parents should encourage children to use all five senses when learning with books at this age. Encourage focus and immersion for great results!
Engage Preschoolers and Elementary Students With Interactive Stories
While most children in this age group are very familiar with picture books, consider incorporating poetry and other rhyming stories to keep them engaged. Books that encourage children to interact with the story can also be a great way to reinforce themes and concepts.
As kids hit preschool and elementary school ages, life becomes more vocal. They're learning to speak and tell stories. Parents should learn to be active listeners, thereby teaching children to also listen. Listening can be a mindfulness activity. That's because when you learn to listen to others, you learn to listen to yourself.
I recommend picture books for this age group. Read-aloud books and short series books are also appropriate, as this makes children listen to a story. Parents should capitalize on their kids' curiosity and introduce books that will foster listening skills.
Expose Older Children to Different Book Styles
While traditional novels tend to be the preference of most older children, try encouraging them to explore other book styles, like short stories, comics, and graphic novels, that incorporate mindfulness concepts.
As kids get older, the types of books they read can become more complex. I especially encourage parents to use poetry books and series books when their kids reach this age group.
I'm also a huge proponent of books that use writing, complex coloring, and other creative outlets as options for mindfulness. These can create an engaging base for your child to center themself.
As children become pre-teens or teens, they can also venture into hobby-based books like gardening, yoga, sports, or even cooking. This way, kids can use the things they enjoy as reference points in their mindfulness journeys.
10 Best Mindfulness Books for Kids Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mariam Gates Good Night Yoga | | A Yoga-Based Bedtime Story | |
2 | Michael Dahl Little Monkey Calms Down | | A Colorful Story About Self-Soothing | |
3 | Susan Verde I Am Peace | | A Mindful Journey to Self-Awareness | |
4 | Ganit and Adir Levy What Should Danny Do? | | An Interactive Story With Multiple Endings | |
5 | Sarah Jane Hinder Yoga Bug | | Yoga Poses for Infants and Toddlers | |
6 | Thich Nhat Hanh A Handful of Quiet | | Lessons From a Real Zen Master | |
7 | Steve Herman Help Your Dragon With Anxiety | | A Lesson in Empathy for All Ages | |
8 | Christian Bergstrom Ultimate Mindfulness Activity Book | | A Huge Selection of Mindfulness Activities | |
9 | Gabi Gabriel Listening to My Body | | A Simple Book About Emotional Sensations | |
10 | Vanessa Green Allen Me and My Feelings | | A Mix of Practical Advice and Activities |
A Yoga-Based Bedtime Story
Say “goodnight” to the natural world on a colorful journey to mindfulness. This book uses examples from nature to guide children through a series of yoga poses designed to center and calm them for a more mindful bedtime routine.
Some reviewers note that the board book is shorter than the original hardcover version. Both have similar complaints about the overall flow of the book, noting that the storyline and poses do not always coincide with each other.
With beautiful, easy-to-follow illustrations, reviewers are overwhelmingly in agreement that this book has significantly improved their bedtime routines. Several reviews even mention children that enjoy this book so much they can perform each pose in sequence from memory every night before bed.
A Colorful Story About Self-Soothing
Little monkey takes us on a journey through his bad day, showing toddlers that it's okay to have big emotions. This book not only teaches young children how to identify the big emotions they experience but also provides them with examples of how to accept and cope with those emotions.
A few select reviews mentioned that they found the storyline lacking and felt the book could have been longer. Other reviewers also noted that the book does not seem to hold the interest of preschool-aged children as well as it does for younger toddlers.
Overall, reviewers raved about their toddlers' love for this book, noting that the vibrant illustrations truly seem to resonate with young children. Parents note that this memorable story provides age-appropriate coping skills for toddlers to apply in their daily lives.
A Mindful Journey to Self-Awareness
I Am Peace is a simple yet beautifully illustrated story of a young boy's internal journey through his own emotions. While this boy may feel overwhelmed, he uses mindfulness to navigate and cope with his feelings of anxiety and fear.
Some reviews mention that the portrayal of the young boy alone without a support system guiding him in his journey may send the wrong message to some children. Other reviewers also note that the book's overall message may not resonate with all children's temperaments.
Reviewers feel that the illustrations are cohesively tied into the storyline, reinforcing the message of the story. Most reviews also rave about this book's benefits for children and parents alike, capturing the attention of people of all ages.
An Interactive Story With Multiple Endings
This interactive book has a “create your own story” format, providing children with the opportunity to make choices that will influence the way Danny’s day will go. The interactive nature of this book offers a fun and engaging way to explore mindfulness concepts, such as empathy and self-control.
Some reviewers found the book to be confusing for preschool-aged children and predictable for the older elementary age range. Some reviewers also note that they found some of the “consequences” portrayed in the story to be punitive and lacking in any real-world application.
Most reviewers love the emphasis this book puts on decision-making and self-control concepts. Many reviews also noted that the story’s portrayal of sibling rivalry was particularly relatable to kids from households with multiple children.
Yoga Poses for Infants and Toddlers
This interactive story teaches infants and toddlers how to explore body movement by presenting colorful insect characters portraying age-appropriate yoga poses. Vivid illustrations encourage your tiny bug to mimic their buggy friends while exploring mindfulness concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Though some reviewers note that the book did not meet their expectations, a vast majority of the reviews are positive. Negative reviews mostly refer to the quality the book was received in and the user’s personal preferences.
Most reviewers praised the book’s relatability for its intended age group, noting that the illustrations make it easy for small children to imitate poses along with the story. Many reviews also mention that this board book is very sturdy, making it ideal for very young children.
Lessons From a Real Zen Master
These profound lessons in mindfulness use an item as simple as a pebble to connect children to the physical world around them. Written by a real master of meditation, this book provides children with the opportunity to explore meditation concepts while also improving their ability to focus in a world full of distractions.
Reviewers found it important to note that the quality of the digital version of this book was far inferior to the original print version. Some reviews also mention that the book was too wordy and difficult for some younger readers to follow.
Many parents found this book to be a valuable resource, not only for their children but also for themselves. Some reviews note that the content also resonated with some children older than the intended age group. Many even noted that it proved particularly beneficial for children with special needs, such as ADHD/ADD and autism.
A Lesson in Empathy for All Ages
Follow a young boy as he helps guide his dragon friend through fear and anxiety. This mindful journey addresses the “what-ifs” of life and the feelings of worry and dread that they can induce. This book provides children with examples of healthy coping skills while also encouraging empathy for others’ feelings and emotions.
Some reviewers found the book’s simplistic storyline to be too predictable for older children. Parents of younger children found that the events portrayed in the story are geared toward an older age group, making them unrelatable to preschool-aged children.
Many reviewers note that the concepts in this book can be highly beneficial for the current state of the world, which is filled with reasons to be anxious. The relatable characters help provide both children (and their parents) with tools to help them cope with the fear and anxiety we all experience in our everyday lives.
Christian BergstromUltimate Mindfulness Activity Book
A Huge Selection of Mindfulness Activities
True to its name, this activity book is filled with a huge selection of activities covering a wide range of mindfulness concepts, from emotional awareness to self-control. These activities can be used daily for children from preschool to upper elementary age, making your child’s day a little more mindful.
Some parents find the information presented to be repetitive and the text to be overly wordy for some children. Several reviewers also mention that they found the book to be lacking in its organization, sometimes making it difficult to navigate the large assortment of activities.
Most reviews note that this book proves to be a versatile resource for parents of multiple children of different ages. Many parents also find the content to be easily accessible for use in a wide range of daily situations.
A Simple Book About Emotional Sensations
This insightful story provides children with the opportunity to connect the emotions they experience to the sensations those emotions produce. In learning to understand the effect big emotions have on their bodies, children gain valuable skills to help them navigate and cope with their feelings and thoughts.
Several reviewers note that they found the book’s illustrations to be lacking, taking attention from the content of the story. Some parents feel that the book is geared to children younger than its advertised age group, noting the story’s simplistic flow and artwork.
Many reviews praised this book’s discussion-inducing qualities and its ability to provide children with thought-provoking material. Reviewers loved the interactive nature of this book that encourages children to get and stay engaged with the story.
A Mix of Practical Advice and Activities
With a unique mix of information, advice, and interactive activities, this book can help older children learn how to accept and deal with the big feelings they experience. With three distinct sections, this book uses a comprehensive approach to introduce and reinforce mindfulness concepts to kids in a fun and engaging way.
Though some parents found the book to be overly wordy for their children, the majority of reviews for this book are positive. However, some reviews do note that it lacks visual reinforcements for children to connect to the information.
Many reviewers note that this activity book is particularly beneficial for children with reserved personalities or kids who may find it difficult to express how they feel. They also love that this book encourages parent involvement in the learning process, allowing for more healthy parent-child interactions and relationships.
Dr. Lulu's Recommended Mindfulness Books for Kids
In addition to her advice in our buying Guide, Dr. Lulu was also kind enough to recommend some of her favorite mindfulness books for children.
Dr. Lulu's parenting book is written for those who want to raise mindful, flourishing kids. The first in a planned series of parenting and self-help works, How to Raise Well-Rounded Children focuses on 16 guiding principles that helped Dr. Lulu raise her own three boys.
Dr. Lulu says, "My book covers mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, and other important traits parents should instill in their children when raising them. I am obviously biased in favor of the book, but, I think it is a pretty good book. It debuted at number one on Amazon at release, and I'm honored to share my knowledge in it."
Another book recommended by Dr. Lulu is D. Feldman's fun, engaging picture book Put Your Thinking Cap On and Other Idioms - where Navy (they/them/their) goes on an adventure to help a confused town understand idioms. This book not only helps children learn about expressing themselves with idioms but also teaches the importance of pronoun usage.
Dr. Lulu recommends D. Feldman's book, saying, "This book teaches children about idioms and that ever-important challenge of using proper pronouns. It's especially beneficial for kids in the LGBTQ+ space."
Find Important Information Specific to You and Your Child
Keep these last few bits of information in mind as you and your child begin your search for the perfect book!
Consider the Level of Parent Involvement
Parent involvement is always ideal for an optimal learning experience, regardless of the child’s age. Children whose parents are directly involved in both the selection of learning materials and in the learning experience itself tend to be more inclined to participate.
As a parent of a teenager and two young adults, I know that my kids still appreciate parental involvement in their learning. This is even truer when it comes to children. Kids love it when parents are involved in their learning journeys!
Parents should try to be models of self-care and mindfulness activities. Try exposing your kids to various forms of mindfulness, so they can choose which activities they prefer.
Personally, I love outdoors-centered activities like hiking, biking, gardening, and so on. One son of mine prefers music and the other prefers cooking. So, I found books and props that encouraged my kids to seek refuge with these activities if and when hard times came around.
Remember That One Size Does Not Fit All
It is always important to remember that every child, like every adult, is unique. You may need to go through some trial and error to figure out what works best for you and your child.
I love that each of my children is so different from the other. While two of my sons love music, one of them also loves sports. Parents should encourage children to find meaning and fulfillment in their unique interests and activities.
In Collaboration With Pediatrician and LGBTQ+ Life Coach Dr. Lulu
Upon completing a successful pediatric career that spanned 30 years, Dr. Lulu embraced her childhood dream of becoming an author. She now has 4 bestsellers and is an acclaimed motivational speaker, talk show host, and certified life coach.
She helps parents of LGBTQ+ kids understand, accept and support their children through their coming out process and beyond. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter; or you can visit her website to learn more!
More Expert Tips from Dr. Lulu
Dr. Lulu says, "Intention and presence make the practice of mindfulness more effective. Mindfulness is defined as the ability to find one's self in the moment, bringing your thoughts to the here and now. Since finding presence and peace is key, parents should emphasize presence to their kids as they read mindfulness books with them.
As mentioned above, I believe that we as parents must lead by example. A major way that children learn is by mirroring their parents. So, modeling mindfulness must be our forte.
Finally, the process should be fun! I believe that remembering to find fun and age-appropriate activities is critical for the process of learning mindfulness to be successful."
Looking for More Ways to Be Mindful?
Mindfulness can be explored through many different avenues. Check out these articles to help you continue on your journey to peace!
Top 5 Mindfulness Books for Kids
No. 1: Mariam Gates｜Good Night Yoga
No. 2: Michael Dahl｜Little Monkey Calms Down
No. 3: Susan Verde｜I Am Peace
No. 4: Ganit and Adir Levy｜What Should Danny Do?
No. 5: Sarah Jane Hinder｜Yoga Bug
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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