This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kirthana J. Fanning. All opinions are my own.

The Girl and Her Noble Steed
​Written by Kirthana J. Fanning
Illustrated by Travis J. Hill
Age Range: 8+ | 100 Pages
Publisher: Kirthana J. Fanning LLC (2023) | ISBN-13: 9798988194125
Publisher’s Book Summary: Embark on a remarkable journey with an orphan girl determined to conquer a thrilling race. Overcoming obstacles with the power of prayer, she’s joined by a cantankerous farmer and his singing, dancing miniature donkey.
Together, they defy the odds, showcasing the strength of faith, courage, and friendship.

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure that will leave you inspired and wanting more in…
‘The Girl and Her Noble Steed’, the first book in this series.
A tale of resilience, hope, triumph, and answered prayers.

I am excited to share my interview with Kirthana J. Fanning. She is a children’s book author who is passionate about empowering young readers with God’s word and inspiring them to live boldly in Christ. Her stories are full of adventure and lessons that will help young minds grow and flourish. She believes that sharing God’s love and miracles through her writing will leave an indelible mark on the world, one heart at a time. With two decades of experience as a television producer and writer in Southeast Asia, Kirthana uses her expertise to craft stories that will help young people navigate through life’s challenges with faith and grace. When she’s not writing, Kirthana volunteers as a remote youth fellowship leader and lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two huskies.
For more information, visit https://www.kirthanajfanning.com.

Where did you get the inspiration for The Girl and Her Noble Steed?
The inspiration for "The Girl and Her Noble Steed," came from the profound bond of sisterhood,
the affection of a special Goddaughter, and the indelible imprints of my own childhood and life,
where God’s unwavering hand served as my guiding light. My love for animals has also left a
mark on my storytelling. Through this novel, my mission is clear: I want children to discover that
they are overcomers and that no dream is impossible for those who believe.

What was your writing process like for this book?
I began working on "The Girl and Her Noble Steed" in the summer of 2016 while simultaneously
working on another book project. Initially, it took the form of a 564-word picture book. Over the
years, I went through three different versions of the book. Finally, in July 2023, I completed the
chapter book, which is now available on the market. To my surprise, I managed to finish the
entire book, from creating the characters to having a complete manuscript, within a single month.
My writing process is character-driven, with a focus on the main character, Ofe. I call it the "flower process." It starts with deciding what kind of flower I want to grow, which in this case represents my main character. Everything else in the story revolves around this central character.
The process unfolds as follows:
1. Planting the Seed: Generating the Initial Idea
2. Nurturing: building the world, surrounding characters, and scenes
3. Patience: developing the journey within the scenes, ensuring that every chapter has a
clear beginning, middle, and end.
4. Blossoming: Deciding on the illustrations I want and finally having the manuscript edited
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have an illustrator named Travis J. Hill, who played a
crucial role in bringing my vision to life. The first version of the book featured 25–30
illustrations, and only a couple of them were used in the final version. Travis skillfully reworked
and created new illustrations in just three weeks.
What truly amazed me was how quickly the scenes for the chapter book flowed in my mind once
I realized it needed to be a chapter book. I completed these scenes within 24 hours, even though I
didn't have a completed synopsis or outline beforehand. My writing style is organic, so while I
had a general idea of where the story was going and what I wanted it to convey, much of it
developed as I wrote, and so did the playful and quirky language.
Once I had the completed manuscript, I sent it to my editor, and we engaged in three rounds of
revisions.

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
The act of constructing the story itself is my favorite element of writing books for children. I
enjoy creating strange worlds and bringing various characters, both human and animal, within
those pages. Seeing these things come to life in a child's mind is a magical experience. What
truly motivates me is the ability to interact with young readers and create stories that raise their
confidence and instill in them the belief that they have what it takes to conquer the world.

What are you working on now?
Promoting The Girl and Her Noble Steed and developing the idea for its sequel.

What is your favorite book?
I have many favorites, but my ultimate dream is to craft a story that can capture the essence of
classics like C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" and John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's
Progress."

Enter for the chance to win a The Girl and Her Noble Steed swag gift pack, including a signed hardcover copy, bookmark, keychain, themed activity sheets, glitter sticker, and choice of a bowl/bracelet or bag, and a 10 min virtual conversation with the author!

One Grand Prize Winner Receives:
The Girl and Her Noble Steed Swag Gift Pack, Including:
-One (1) Signed Hardcover Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed
-One (1) Bookmark
-One (1) Keychain
-Themed Activity Sheet
-One (1) Glitter Sticker
-Choice of One (1) Bowl/Bracelet or Bag
-One (1) 10-minute Virtual Conversation with the Author
Two Winners Receive:
-One (1) Digitally signed Ebook Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed
-One (1) Digital Bookmark
Two Winners Receive:
-One (1) Signed Paperback Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed
-One (1) Bookmarks
One Winner Receives:
-One (1) Signed Hardcover Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed

​

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kate Searle. All opinions are my own.

My Soul Treasure
​Written by Kate Searle
Illustrated by Alison Mutton
Ages 4+ | 28 Pages
Publisher: Kate’s Soul Treasure (2022)
​ISBN-13: 978-0645415421
Publisher’s Book Summary: My Soul Treasure is a beautifully illustrated children’s book designed to teach children how to connect with their inner selves and cultivate self-awareness and self-love. It follows the story of a young girl who goes on a journey beyond her mind, body, and heart to discover her own inner treasures. The story includes positive affirmations and visualization exercises to help children develop mindfulness and self-reflection skills.

I am excited to share my interview with Kate Searle. She is a geologist, wife, and mum who lives in the southwest of Australia. Becoming a mother sparked Kate’s love of storytelling. She has an innate passion for instilling in children a sense of personal empowerment. She has woven her love of gemstones into her debut book, My Soul Treasure, to teach children about the incredible powers of their own souls.For more information, visit www.soultreasures.com.au


Where did you get the inspiration for My Soul Treasure?
During the covid lockdowns in early 2021 I felt a burst of inspiration from something
bigger than me, to let my children know that they were safe, they were powerful and
regardless of what happens in the outside world each day, they have a treasure chest of
inner strengths within their soul, that they can draw upon to help them overcome anxiety
and navigate this wild and woolly world. This burst of inspiration led me to write my
books, Find Your Treasure (a middle grade novel), My Soul Treasure and create a
mindfulness treasure-hunt game for children.

What was your writing process like for this book?
What a wonderful question. I could clearly visualize My Soul Treasure being a colorful
picture book, with a double-page spread for each of the soul gems, but I didn’t know which
order to arrange the gems. The story really came together one weekend when my husband
and kids and I took a trip down to the southern forests. As my husband was driving, a lot of
the inspiration for the words in My Soul Treasure flowed into my mind and I wrote them
down. The movement of the car and being surrounded by nature helped my creativity to
flow. As I was drafting the story, I could only write in lead pencil in a large children’s
scrapbook! It helped me see which words would best fit on each page. That weekend,
whilst exploring a nearby field, my children and I saw a beautiful rainbow right next to the
cabin we were staying in! We climbed over a fence and tried to run to the rainbow. It was a
magical moment for us, and it was then that the realization came to me that the soul gems
in My Soul Treasure should be arranged in the order of the rainbow and chakras colors. It
was as if nature itself was contributing to the direction of the story! I stayed up very late,
cosy by the fire that weekend, writing what would become My Soul Treasure.

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
I love the creative process of bringing my ideas to life and synthesizing complex or less
understood parts of our world and ourselves, into language that children can grasp so that
they become aware of how powerful and magical they are. I also love the process of
creating inspiring stories that I wish I could have read when I was a child!

What are you working on now?
I am very excited about launching two new exciting products:
‘Find Your Soul Treasure’ Activity Workbook – which is an interactive workbook that
brings the story of My Soul Treasure to life. It has a section for each soul gem and
includes hundreds of fun activities and suggested ways children can connect with
their soul treasure. Parents, educators and therapists can use the Workbook to help
children to heal and empower them.
I am about to launch my children’s game called ‘Find Your Treasure’ which is a
treasure hunt game that includes clue cards and real gemstones. The game inspires
children to find their own soul treasure!
 I am also dreaming up the sequel to my middle grade novel!!

What is your favorite book?
That is such a hard question! My favorite book as a child was The Lion, The Witch and The
Wardrobe by C.S Lewis for its magic and adventure. As an adult, I’d have to say People of
the Book by Geraldine Brooks, for the enchanted way it sweeps across centuries and
highlights the value we place on precious texts. There is a part of the story where the
sacred text is described as encrusted in turquoise and precious gems which I just adore!

Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure and a Kindle!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
- A hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure, signed by Kate Searle
- A Kindle (2022 release)
Four (4) winners receive:
- A hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure, signed by Kate Searle
​

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Sandrine Marlier. All opinions are my own.

Odette’s Alphabet
Written by Sandrine Marlier
Ages 5+ | 64 Pages
Publisher: Belle Isle Books | ISBN-13: 9781953021519
Publisher’s Book Summary: One day, Odette the ant wakes up feeling stressed. After realizing that all she does is work, Odette decides to leave her anthill in search of the freedom to create her own world. Along the way, she meets Marcus, a lost mouse, and together they discover simple ways to feel better. Inspired by her journey and this wonderful new friendship, Odette finds her way back home to the colony with a new sense of being.
Odette’s Alphabet is a mindful story that offers a map to handle big emotions with kindness, unity, and courage. Fun and easy activities support each of the chapters, along with letters of the alphabet to provide additional opportunities for learning while encouraging young readers to explore meditation practices.

I'm excited to share my interview with Sandrine Marlier. She is a mother, meditation teacher, transformational coach, and Reiki practitioner. She shares free meditations about healing and empowerment onInstagram (@sandrinemarlier). You can connect with her through her website, www.sandrinemarlier.com.


Where did you get the inspiration for Odette's Alphabet?
I had just completed a meditation teacher training, when I drew an ant with a larger
speakerphone screaming the sound “A”, which is the original sound in the universe. Odette
was self-realized! I showed the drawing to my friend, a film-maker, who thought I was
writing a children’s alphabet book. I fell in love with the process of selecting all the
concepts I thought were most meaningful and that I’d like to teach my child.

What was your writing process like for this book?
There were a few layers, over the years. I started writing letters at the same time I was
drawing Odette. Sometimes the drawings came first. They always helped me get more
specific in my writing. Brainstorming all the different possible words for each letter was a
lot of fun. Upon a friend’s suggestion, I weaved in a story to connect the letters.
Odette evolved a lot from the very first manuscript. It looked more grown-up at first. As I
shifted towards a younger audience, I started writing some activities.

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
Understanding what they need and translating it into a simple and beautiful language, that
allows them to dream and make the words theirs. That’s how it creates meaning to them.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a course for mums. They need great support. They often feel like their life
isn’t theirs anymore; I want to help them place themselves back in the center of their life,
where they can choose how they want their life to feel like, instead of going on auto-pilot,
doing what they feel they should be doing.
​
What is your favorite book?
I AM HUMAN by Susan Verde. It gave my daughter and I such a wonderful tool to help us
relax when things were less than perfect.

Enter the giveaway below for the chance to win a paperback copy of Odette’s Alphabet and a $25 Amazon gift card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A copy of Odette's Alphabet
A $25 Amazon Gift Card

​Two (2) winners receive:
A copy of Odette's Alphabet
​

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Dover Publications. All opinions are my own.

This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey. All opinions are my own. 

~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books

Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head
​Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Diana Toledano
Ages 3-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Beach Lane Books 
ISBN-13: 9781534451056
About the Book: Discover the true story of how a shy miner’s daughter became one of the most legendary costume designers in Hollywood in this inspiring nonfiction picture book biography.
As a child in the small mining town of Searchlight, Nevada, Edith Head had few friends and spent most of her time dressing up her toys and pets and even wild animals using fabric scraps. She always knew she wanted to move somewhere full of people and excitement. She set her sights on Hollywood and talked her way into a job sketching costumes for a movie studio.
Did she know how to draw or sew costumes? No. But that didn’t stop her!
Edith taught herself and tirelessly worked her way up until she was dressing some of the biggest stars of the day, from Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly to Ginger Rogers. She became the first woman to head a major Hollywood movie studio costume department and went on to win eight Academy Awards for best costume design—and she defined the style of an era.

Jeanne Walker Harvey studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Jeanne lives in Northern California.
Visit her online at www.jeanneharvey.com.

Themes: real-life story, careers, determination

How does a young, shy girl living near a mine in Nevada become an Oscar winning costume designer? Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head is a biographical picture book that beautifully answers this question.  Edith spent her early life making costumes for her stuffed animals, pets, and friends.
After attending college and becoming a teacher, her passion for movies landed her a job in the costume department of a movie studio. She couldn't draw, and her early career was wrought with mistakes and failures. But she never gave up. She became a well-respected, highly sought after designer winning 8 Oscars for her work.  Whether you already knew of costume designer Edith Head or are learning of her story for the first time, this inspiring true story is a celebration of fashion, grit and determination.

Enter for a chance to win a set of five copies of Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head!
Five (5) winners receive:
     A set of five copies of Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Amy Flanagan. All opinions are my own.

~Amy Flanagan, author of Mrs. R Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
Written by Amy Flanagan
Illustrated by Jon Davis
Ages 5+ | 90 Pages

Publisher: Whitefox
ISBN-13: 9781915036094
About the Book: Mrs. R Snugglesworth is 70 pounds of low-to-the-ground PRECIOUS. She is the Best at Finding Slightly-Used Sandwiches and the Best at Loving Ham—and now she’s looking for her next big challenge. To her surprise, she finds it at the local Bark Park, when she discovers a passion for the law. Dog law, that is.
In two wags of a tail, she enrolls at Wagsworth Legal Academy, eager to become a lawyer. Turns out, it’s not that easy learning to be the Best at Law School. But when Mrs. R. learns that her friend Pitter-Patter needs help, she can’t wait to take on her first case. Only one small issue: she hasn’t quite finished her law degree. Some dogs might consider this a problem, but not Mrs. R! After all, Pitter-Patter needs a lawyer, and she is ALMOST a lawyer. Which everyone knows is practically as good as being a lawyer, right?
She’ll just juggle her law classes, naps, walks, power naps, chasing tennis balls, snacks, naps, and work on Pitter-Patter’s case at the same time! What could possibly go wrong?

I'm excited to share my interview with Amy Flanagan. She is an Instructional Designer and children’s author living with her family in the Chicago suburb of Batavia. She began writing Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law in early 2021 to stay busy during the long pandemic winter. She wanted to create something that would make kids (and adults) laugh out loud. She is already working on the second book in the “Mrs. R.” series. Like you, she wonders what the ‘R’ stands for.
Visit her online at https://www.mrsrsnugglesworth.com/.

Where did you get the inspiration for the character Mrs. R. Snugglesworth?
You will not be surprised to learn that we have a female, yellow English lab. She is delightfully stocky and we have entertained ourselves through the years imagining what she is thinking. Despite her size, she considers herself a lap dog. One morning several years ago, she was snugglier than usual, and my husband remarked “Aren’t you a Mrs. Snugglesworth this morning?” This struck me as funny, and I made a point to share it with our kids so we could add it to the long list of nicknames we had for the dog. (Sweet Pea, Baked Potato. . . etc). When I shared the new nickname with my daughter, who was 8 or 9, she informed me that the dog’s name was actually “Mrs. R. Snugglesworth” and she was also my daughter’s new attorney. (Previously, her fish had been her attorney). 
Meanwhile, I had been toying with the idea of writing a book for years. I had a few false starts on books for adults before I realized that I was probably better suited to writing something for kids.  I had the perfect idea right in front of me. . .and that was that!

What was your writing process like for Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law?
In my day job, I’m an Instructional Designer for mainframe software products. Prior to that, I was a technical writer in the same space — so I knew how to write. But I certainly didn’t know how to write a children’s book. I started with an online class via one of our local community colleges. While the class was ongoing, I began writing the book — typically between 30-90 minutes most evenings. After about four months, I felt what I had was solid enough to share — I recruited friends and family to review the story. I also had a friend of a friend who had been a children’s book editor at one of the big publishing houses before becoming an agent, and she
generously provided feedback too. After collecting all of the feedback, I effectively rewrote the entire book. I used the same methodology — working on it for an hour or so in the evenings. Not surprisingly, 4 months later I had a much stronger story. I originally planned to pursue a traditional publisher, but after doing my research, determined that hybrid publishing was the best route for me. I ultimately decided on Whitefox Publishing in the UK, who connected me with all the other players in the process — structural editing, copy editing, cover design, illustration, proofreading, etc. (All of which I continued doing, an hour at a time, evening after evening.) :)

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
It’s an opportunity to be silly, and carefree, even for just a little while. I wanted to provide that experience for young readers too. That said, it was also very important for me to write something that would be entertaining for adults too. Some of the books my kids loved as children. . .were very tough on mom and dad.:)

What are you working on now?
I’ve outlined the second “Mrs. R” book and have plot lines for others in the works. I wrote the story so it could become a series, if there’s enough audience interest. 

What is your favorite book?
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr.  Sometimes though, I just need a light read —then I turn to an Agatha Raisin.

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law, and a $50 gift card to bookshop.org*.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:
An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
A $50 Bookshop.org or typebooks.ca gift card*

Four (4) winners receive:
An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
​

This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Purple Butterfly Press. All opinions are my own. 

~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books

The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey
Written by Pat Black-Gould
Illustrated by Katya Royz
Ages 8+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press 
ISBN-13: 9781955119207
Publisher’s Synopsis: A Star of David necklace or a rosary?

In 1939 Poland, a young girl is asked to give up one of these and accept the other without understanding why. However, what she must part with happens to be her most prized possession—a precious gift given to her by her father before he died.
The child’s mother then teaches the girl a “game” to prepare her for what is to come. As the Nazis invade the country, the mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.

Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an author. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.
Pat’s writing explores topics such as compassion, tolerance, and diversity. She continues to examine these themes in her upcoming novel, Limbo of the Moon, written with her co-writer, Steve Hardiman.

Themes: Holocaust, religious freedom, empathy, compassion, bravery

I'm always looking for wonderful children's books that can help parents talk to their children about difficult subjects, and The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey is one! This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young Jewish girl. At her mother's urging, she removes her Star of David necklace and replaces it with a rosary of crystal beads. She moves into a Catholic school in order to survive the Holocaust. Written from the girl's point of view, this book is a must read for people of all ages. From Mama who sacrifices herself so her daughter may live, to Sister Teresa who shows religious tolerance and love to the scared Lalka, the characters in this picture book are examples of compassion and empathy. 

Following the reading of this book, use the included question/ study guides to start a meaningful and important conversation with your children about the Holocaust and how this horrible event in history in important to discuss today. 

Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey!
Four (4) winners receive:
A signed copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey
Giveaway ends August 11, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Riverlet Press. All opinions are my own.

My Old Friend, Then
Written by Katherine Davis-Gibbon
Illustrated by Allie Daigle
Ages 4 and up | 40 Pages
Publisher: Riverlet Press LLC
​ISBN-13: 9781737957607
Publisher’s Synopsis: A child ponders … who is her best, most loyal friend? Is it her constant companion, Then, who regales her with extravagant stories of their shared past and imagined future? Or is it precious, patient Now, with whom she sensitively explores each new moment that unfolds?

My Old Friend, Then explores mindfulness the same way that kids approach life: with curiosity, humor, and unspoiled sincerity. Pairing accessible and relatable language with vivid, quirky illustrations, this book invites readers to share in a young girl’s journey as she grapples with the trappings—and delights in the boundless potential—of her own brilliant mind.

Katherine Davis-Gibbon is a yoga teacher, a longtime practitioner of Vipassana meditation, and most importantly a mother of two. She is also the founder of Riverlet Press, a children’s book company for conscious parents raising mindful kids.
For more information, visit www.riverletpress.com
​​
Allie Daigle is an illustrator who strives to create immersive and expressive images that stimulate the imagination. Whether for a children’s book, a product label, or her original pieces, Daigle’s works implore the viewer to linger and explore the details within. Allie primarily works with traditional watercolor & ink as well as digital mediums.
For more information, visit www.alliedaigle.com.

No matter where a child’s mind might go—and goodness knows they go a lot of places—their body is always here. It physically exists in this space at this moment. Fortunately (if they’re enjoying some ice cream) or unfortunately (if they’re having a cavity filled), it cannot be anyplace else.

The body continuously informs us about the present through the portals of our five senses. If our thoughts tip us off balance—propelling us towards an uncertain future or dragging us back to the ruminative past—we can rely on the anchors of our senses to moor us safely in the here and now.

Each of our senses is a miraculous tool, but we are so accustomed to using them for mundane purposes that we all too easily take them for granted. It takes effort to dial the volume down on our thoughts, and up on our senses, but doing so builds a strong foundation for mindfulness.

A great way to hone one sense is through the deprivation of another. This is part of the reason why meditators often close their eyes: because removing sight heightens our awareness of smell, taste, touch, and hearing (hearing not only the birds outside our window, but also the thoughts that flow through our minds).

ACTIVITY: Isolating and exploring individual senses can be an extremely luxurious experience. Fortunately, it is also something that kids find fun! I can think of no better place to play with this than the sumptuous environment of a warm, silky bath, which naturally engenders relaxed attention (and is also very useful for getting kids clean).

Invite your child to lay back in the tub. You can support the weight of their head with one hand, if that helps (this tender act will instantly tune you into each other and highlight the collaborative nature of this exercise). As warm water fills your child’s ears, it will muffle their hearing, therefore heightening their four other senses. There are so many directions you can go from here, so follow your child’s lead.

Which sense do they seem most interested in?
If your child comments on how things sound underwater, then give them something interesting to listen to! Try tapping, scratching, or rubbing your fingers against the tub. Waft the surface of the water to make waves, or drip water into the tub from the tips of your fingers. Lower your mouth into the water to speak, sing, or blow bubbles. Be creative, spontaneous, and collaborative, but don’t rush. Allow your child plenty of time to experience and comment on one sound, before trying another.

If your child is staring upwards with a bemused expression, they might be enjoying the way that their sight seemed to sharpen when their hearing went dull. Offer something to look at—a sponge or toy up close, or a finger, hand, or elbow. They may find that their own familiar body parts look funny from this perspective or observe how the water alters or magnifies the texture of their skin. Encourage them to close one eye at a time or squint with both--or to turn their head, watching the play of the water’s surface from a zoomed in perspective.

If your child is comfortable closing both eyes, then focus on how things feel. Encourage them to notice every single spot where the water contacts or leaves their skin, and what happens when you create gentle waves with your free hand. You can dip your fingers into the water and release a single drop on different parts of their body. Or invite them to take some deep, belly breaths, so the water floods onto their abdomen and then flows away.

Noticing is the first step in mindfulness practice, and naming is the second. You can model this by naming body parts (“forehead,” “tummy,” “foot”) or qualities (“rough,” “warm,” “squeaky”), but keep your contributions sparse and simple. Alternatively, you can embrace the silence. If your child seems captivated and content, they are already observing deeply and well. Let them bask in their own rich awareness, trusting that they will comment when they’re ready.

Listen with interest to whatever your child shares. If a more extensive, fantastical narrative arises, then name it--as accurately as you can. For example: a toddler who dislikes the sights and sounds of water whirling down the drain will benefit from sharing the fantasy this sparks in their mind. Listen and empathize first, before framing this experience as “a scary story:” so you validate emotions, while clicking the details into clearer perspective. Afterwards, key them back into the present by making eye contact and appealing to their senses (“warm towel,” “slippery feet”).
    
If at any point your child wants to switch roles, by all means welcome this. Close your eyes while they guide your hand through the water or tickle your nose with the rough fibers of a washcloth. When your child takes the lead, it means they are eager to assimilate what they’ve learned.

Final Thoughts: Take these suggestions as loosely and liberally as you can: they are not offered as steps to replicate, but ideas to inspire your own creativity. Be in the moment and embrace what comes up! Remember: mindfulness is not an activity, but a mindset to bring to whatever you’re doing. Eating can be a mindful activity. Waiting in line at the store can be a mindful activity. Having a disagreement can be a mindful activity, if approached with good will and careful attention (yes, this one’s trickier). Any time your child accurately notices something that is happening inside or outside of themselves in real time rather than hindsight, they are already doing it. And every time you attune to your little one—whether in play, conversation, or in simple, sweet silence—you are doing it with them.   

This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Kelly Tills. All opinions are my own. 

~ Ali Dunn, Me Two Books

Meow Is Not a Cat
Written by Kelly Tills
Illustrated by Max Saladrigas
Ages 4+ | 44 Pages
Publisher: FDI Publishing LLC
​ISBN-13: 9781736700488
Publisher’s Synopsis: Meow is definitely not a cat. Cats lick their butts. Follow along as this wild child’s unique way of following instructions ends up going a little bananas.
Meow Is Not Cat is a completely goofy story, guaranteed to make kids laugh. With a cynical cat, wild monkeys, butt jokes, and a banana cannon, even pre-readers will love shouting out their favorite parts as you read aloud. Nestled among the laughs is a lesson about how embracing a person’s different way of interpreting the world can lead to surprisingly good results —and bananas, lots of bananas.

Kelly Tills is the creator of her own uniquely shaped family. Kindness, neurodiversity, and potty humor are her jam. She writes silly stories for kids and believes even the smallest hat-tip, in the simplest of books, can teach our kids how to approach the world. Kelly’s children’s stories are perfect to read aloud to your little humans or to have your older kids read to you (hey, let them flex those new reading skills!). Either way, you’ll enjoy the giggles.

Themes: humor, neurodiversity, embracing differences

Meow is a child who sees the world differently. Sometimes those differences cause her teacher to lose patience. But during a trip to the zoo, Meow's unique ideas save the day. 
This book is a wonderful introduction to neurodiversity and reminds us all that being different should be celebrated. The humor in the story is just right for kids, and it's sure to make your littles laugh while they learn important lessons about acceptance.

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Meow Is Not a Cat!
Five (5) winners receive:

• A copy of Meow Is Not a Cat

Giveaway ends May 13, 2022 11:59pm MT.

 April 30, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT. Enter for a chance to win a Pega Sisters Goes to Camp or The Littlest Airplane prize pack!
One (1) winner receives:
The Pega Sisters Prize Pack!
Includes a signed copy of Pega Sisters Go to Camp by Brooke Hartman and MacKenzie Haley, your own pegasus plushy, Pega Sisters activities, stickers, and accessories to “glam up” just like Lilly and Filly!
One (1) winner receives:
The Littlest Airplane Prize Pack!
Includes a signed copy of The  Littlest Airplane by Brooke Hartman and John Joseph, a “build your own wings” craft activity, Littlest Airplane word search and maze, Littlest  Airplane stickers, a set of markers, and your own fox plush to take with you on all your flights!
One (1) winner receives:
A copy of Pega Sisters Go to Camp and The Littlest Airplane
Giveaway ends April 30, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

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