Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness

by Maria Gianferrari (Author) Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Simply be like a dog with this irresistible picture book by beloved author Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling artist Pete Oswald that introduces readers to mindfulness.

Join a young child and their dog as they experience every minute of the day to its fullest--from the second they wake up to the moment they fall asleep. Readers will love barking, wagging, and sniffing along with the gentle cues in the book.

Interactive backmatter includes prompts for a mindfulness walk that engages all five senses as well as a guided breathing exercise.

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus

A cute mindfulness primer that will especially appeal to dog lovers.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

PreS-Gr 1--"Can you be like a dog?" With this question, this charming title invites readers to practice a number of mindful behaviors, such as "BE-ing" in the moment, by following a dog's daily activities with its young owner through the changing seasons. As the playful pup greets its friend in the morning, it models engaging with one's body by stretching, eating, and drinking. The duo play on the playground, splash in puddles, roll in the snow, all while demonstrating connecting to the environment and the five senses. However, while "feel what you're feeling" is valid and important advice, children might need a slight amendment to "bark if you're worried," "growl if you're angry," or "yowl if you're sad," lest they take these directives even a bit too literally. Oswald's funny and appealing mixed media illustrations perfectly capture cute canine antics. Appended at the end under the heading "Take a Mindful Nature Walk with a Friend'' is a quasi-chart of specific suggestions for each of the senses through spring, summer, fall, and winter. The very last page features a guide to "Mindful Breathing Exercise" that acknowledges having negative emotions and suggests using deep breathing as a coping method. VERDICT Mindfulness is not an easy concept to practice or teach at any age, but this book is a wonderfully accessible introduction to a challenging skill.--Yelena Voysey

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes




Maria Gianferrari

Maria Gianferrari lives in northern Virginia with her scientist husband, artist daughter, and rescue pets, Becca the dog and Lucia the rat. She has written several books for Roaring Brook Press, including Bobcat Prowling, Hawk Rising, and Hello Goodbye Dog.

Maris Wicks is a writer and illustrator of science comics, as well as a self-proclaimed gigantic nerd. She has written, drawn, and colored comics for First Second Books, New England Aquarium and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, as well as Spongebob Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063067912
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
April 05, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV015010 - Juvenile Fiction | Health & Daily Living | Daily Activities
JUV002190 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Pets
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
Library of Congress categories
Dogs
Picture books
Mindfulness (Psychology)

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