Description

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I breathe slowly in,
I breathe slowly out. My breath
is a river of peace.
I am here in the world.
Each moment I can breathe and be.

Hear thunder crash, feel your toes touch sand, and watch leaves drift softly away on a quiet stream. The simple poems in Breathe and Be help children learn mindfulness as they connect to the beauty of the natural world.

Mindfulness teaches us how to stay calm, soothe our emotions, and appreciate the world around us. Whether we’re watching tiny colored fish darting in the water or exploring the leaves, branches, and roots of a towering tree, the thoughtful words and the lovely art of Breathe and Be remind us how much joy we can find by simply living with awareness and inner peace.

Ages 4–8

About the Author

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Kate Coombs is the author of many books, including three poetry collections: Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems, Monster School, and Water Sings Blue, which won the national Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and got four-starred reviews. She has also written middle grade books, picture books, and numerous board books. Kate lives in Bountiful, Utah, where she teaches college English and works with struggling readers. Kate loves nature, especially clouds, seashells, and frogs.

Anna Emilia Laitinen studied graphic design and illustration in Finland and Iceland. She has illustrated books, stationery, tableware, and textiles. She is the illustrator of many children’s books published in her native Finland, as well as Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems. Anna Emilia’s favorite color is the northern winter sky during sunset, and her favorite sound is waking up in a tent in a forest full of singing birds. For more, visit annaemilia.com.

Praise For…

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“Nature provides reassurance in times of trouble and allows disruptive moods and angry thoughts to be moderated and transformed into peaceful mindfulness...A successful introduction to the concept of mindfulness for young children.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A serene collection celebrating nature and the importance of mindfulness, and a swell addition to ­poetry shelves.” —School Library Journal