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Mindful Day

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Mindful Day
By Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez
Sounds True, 2020. Picture Book.

To make any day a good day, it is a wonderful idea to practice mindfulness. A young girl goes about her day from the moment she wakes up, until the moment she goes to bed, practicing mindfulness. She observes the world around her and focused on the tiny details while breathing: in out, soft slow. Her and her brother have typical everyday experiences such as eating breakfast, savoring the bright berries on top of cereal, that taste sweet as summer, getting ready for their day, going to the market, and even to the library, all while enjoying being in each moment. Even when things go wrong during their day, they still find a way to be at peace by practicing mindfulness.

This simple, beautiful, story told of two children taking in each moment, is a great example to younger readers on how to begin practicing mindfulness. The usage of descriptive words throughout the book drew me into the world that the little girl was experiencing and brought the same feeling of peace and mindfulness to me as the reader. What a great reminder to slow down and find joy in each moment, the good and bad. Both parent and child will benefit from reading this picture book, with its simple yet powerful message.

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