My Thoughts Are Clouds: Poems for Mindfulness

by Georgia Heard (Author) Isabel Roxas (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2^nd − 3^rd Grade

A poetry collection that both illustrates what mindfulness is and encourages young, growing minds to be present, from poet and educator Georgia Heard, with art by Isabel Roxas. Poets have long observed the world in a mindful way. They point out beauty we might have missed, draw our attention to our inner thoughts, and call us to see our society in new ways. But as daily life become more and more chaotic, children grow distracted. According to the CDC, 9.4% of children have ADHD and 7% have anxiety/depression. And these numbers continue to climb. As treatment doctors recommend healthy eating, physical activity, plenty of sleep, and mindfulness techniques. Georgia Heard is a poet and educator--and she has long had her own meditation practice. In My Thoughts Are Clouds, she uses poetry to demonstrate what mindfulness is and gives kids--and their parents and teachers--accessible ways to learn mindfulness tools.

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School Library Journal

Gr 2-6--This short collection of poems aims to teach children how to slow down and be aware of their thoughts and environment. The text uses meditation and affirmation techniques to introduce the concept of mindfulness. Simple language explains actions that readers can follow. However, the format and layout of some poems may be difficult to digest for children who experience reading challenges. The variation of fonts within the same poem and the black-on-blue backgrounds may also present reading difficulties. The illustrations are rendered in shades of blue and white, echoing the title and cover imagery of looking up at the sky, but do little to enhance the feeling or meaning of the poems. This volume could serve as a good read-aloud option for a classroom or library to teach guided mindfulness or meditation exercises. VERDICT For libraries that have an established mindfulness initiative.--Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford Coll., TX

Review quotes

"In today's Covid-rattled frenzy of online or hybrid instruction and added strictures on behavior, [here is] Heard's gentle call for mindfulness . . . Therapeutic and accessible: an empowering guide well suited for those growing up in this age of anxiety." —Kirkus Reviews

"This short collection of poems aims to teach children how to slow down and be aware of their thoughts and environment . . . A good read-aloud option for a classroom or library to teach guided mindfulness or meditation exercises." —School Library Journal

Praise for Falling Down the Page:

"Accessibility is one of the book's greatest strengths, since the compact verses focus on familiar aspects of daily kid life." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)

"A thoroughly entertaining and distinctive collection." —BookPage

Praise for The Arrow Finds Its Mark:

"Will have readers seeing inspiration all around them and questioning what turns words into poetry." —Publishers Weekly

"A welcome addition to every teacher's writing toolbox." —Kirkus Reviews

"Intriguing little book offers an appealing down-to-earth entryway into poetry." —Booklist

Georgia Heard

GEORGIA HEARD is the author of 18 books, including The Woman in this Poem: Women's Voices in Poetry (Plumleaf Press). Her poems have been published in numerous anthologies, magazines, and journals. She travels the world giving workshops and keynotes on writing poetry. Georgia has been a poet since childhood, and believes in the power of poetry to help restore our sense of well-being and find balance in our lives. She lives with her family and dog in South Florida.

REBECCA KAI DOTLICH is a word collector, poet, and picture book author. Her poetry has appeared in anthologies, periodicals, and magazines, and she has authored dozens of children's books, including the inspirational The Knowing Book, which encourages young readers to embrace adventure and curiosity. Rebecca gives poetry workshops to writers, teachers, and students across the country. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and her four young grandchildren live nearby.

Classification

Fiction

ISBN-13

9781250244680

Lexile Measure

Guided Reading Level

Publisher

Roaring Brook Press

Publication date

February 09, 2021

Series

BISAC categories

Library of Congress categories

American poetry
Children's poetry, American
Mindfulness (Psychology)

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