This whale of a metaphor requires adult assistance to really flow.
Following the pattern set in Yoga Bug and Yoga Bear (2017, 2018), 10 toddlers model yoga poses whimsically named after sea creatures.
Their varied skin tones, hairstyles, and yoga clothes, which match the coloring of their animal partners, stand out against solid-color backgrounds. The brief text describes both animal behavior and the depicted child’s actions. Appropriately, Hinder begins and ends with deep breathing and relaxation, starting with deep breathing that makes “your tummy grow,” illustrated by a puffer fish, and finishing with a “sparkly stretch,” illustrated by a smiling “Starfish.” In between, her fanciful descriptions of yoga poses are not always useful. Young children unfamiliar with sea horses may be mystified by that metaphor. The poses emulating a dolphin and a crab are clear, but “Shark” (for boat or locust pose) or “Sea Urchin” for child pose are a stretch. A child in happy-baby pose waving four limbs is paired with an eight-legged octopus. The picture of a child in a wide-legged forward fold (“Jellyfish”) does not indicate how to move into the position. Thankfully, the final spread includes a thumbnail picture of each child in their posture along with the common name of that pose and clear instructions in small print.
This whale of a metaphor requires adult assistance to really flow. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-68364-076-9
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Sounds True
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
Adults looking for an easy entry into this subject will not be disappointed.
This book presents a simplified explanation of the role the atmosphere plays in controlling climate.
The authors present a planet as a ball and its atmosphere as a blanket that envelops the ball. If the blanket is thick, the planet will be hot, as is the case for Venus. If the blanket is thin, the planet is cold, as with Mars. Planet Earth has a blanket that traps “just the right amount of heat.” The authors explain trees, animals, and oceans are part of what makes Earth’s atmosphere “just right.” “But…Uh-oh! People on Earth are changing the blanket!” The book goes on to explain how some human activities are sending “greenhouse gases” into the atmosphere, thus “making the blanket heavier and thicker” and “making Earth feel unwell.” In the case of a planet feeling unwell, what would the symptoms be? Sea-level rises that lead to erosion, flooding, and island loss, along with extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, blizzards, and wildfires. Ending on a constructive note, the authors name a few of the remedies to “help our Earth before it’s too late!” By using the blanket analogy, alongside simple and clear illustrations, this otherwise complex topic becomes very accessible to young children, though caregivers will need to help with the specialized vocabulary.
Adults looking for an easy entry into this subject will not be disappointed. (Board book. 3-4)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4926-8082-6
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
Despite the commercial tie-in, this is a worthy and useful addition to the growing list of books for young yogis.
Toddlers are invited to imitate 21 basic yoga poses modeled by a serene teddy bear that is also available for purchase.
Only the poses are shown. There are no hints about how to achieve the pose (getting into pigeon or eagle position using only the illustration may prove difficult), modify the posture, or transition between poses. Nor is there any discussion of meditation or the philosophy behind yoga practice. The uncluttered, child-friendly design overshadows these concerns. Caregivers can find instructional information in other, more detailed manuals or videos or on the Meddy Teddy website, where a bear that can be bent into yoga positions is sold. The book is designed to help young children recognize and perhaps try the poses, even if they do not have the poseable bear. The teddy bear, with its cream-colored yoga pants, stitched-on smile, and constantly closed eyes, is a nonjudgmental and race-neutral role model. Most poses are shown on a single page with “Upward-facing dog” and “Forward-fold split” each occupying a double-page spread. Each posture stands out clearly against a solid-colored background. The designers avoid the use of confusing metaphors, labeling each pose with the most commonly used term for that position.
Despite the commercial tie-in, this is a worthy and useful addition to the growing list of books for young yogis. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Oct. 9, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-63565-129-4
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 4, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
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