SHINE

Dee’s debut picture book introduces young readers to meditation.

Opposite an illustration of a baby whose heart emanates light, the book’s text begins, “On the day you were born…the Divine Source breathed your spirit into you…lit a bright light deep inside your heart.” The baby is then shown as an older child with brown skin, blue eyes, and curly hair; the accompanying text explains that breath is a “SUPER POWER” and that breathing mindfully each day, or meditating, is important. The reader is encouraged to “notice your breath…[and] how your whole body is relaxed,” which will make “you feel calm and peaceful.” Some of the more spiritual sentiments, such as “The light in your heart is growing bright with love,” may not appeal to everyone, but the meditation instructions are child-friendly. Brown’s soft, dreamy illustrations portray the meditation process; some are particularly imaginative, such as one showing a whirl of “energy” arising from the child’s body. The book nods to inclusiveness by encouraging the participation of children in wheelchairs, but some may find the suggested visualizations odd: “if you are unable to [raise your limbs], use your mind to imagine that you can.”

An accessible primer to a time-honored practice.