Finding Calm in Nature: A Guide for Mindful Kids

by Jennifer Grant, Erin Brown (Illustrator)

Overview

"Let nature be your teacher when your feelings are tangled up in knots."

One way to feel better when we are hurting is to spend time outside. Being in nature is good for both our bodies and our minds.

Each chapter of this practical guide explores a different element of nature and connects it with a mindfulness prompt designed to help kids manage their feelings. From dandelions to spider webs, children will uncover the lessons nature teaches about embracing a growth mindset, the benefits of living in community, and the transformative power of noticing the beauty around them. Breathing exercises, stretching, practicing mindfulness, and keeping a nature notebook are just some of the tools introduced to kids to equip them to navigate their feelings as they spend time outdoors.

Author Jennifer Grant's affirming, kind voice will inspire readers to see the world with fresh eyes—and discover the calm, joy, and wonder waiting just outside their door.

Winner of the 2023 Northern Lights Book Awards, Nature category

Winner of the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award, Young Adult category

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506485133
Publisher:	Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Publication date:	03/21/2023
Pages:	106
Sales rank:	1,072,199
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	910L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jennifer Grant is the award-winning author of picture books for children and books for adults. Her books include Maybe God Is Like That Too, Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too, and Dimming the Day. Grant's work has appeared in Woman's Day, Chicago Parent, Patheos, and Chicago Tribune. Grant holds a master's degree in English literature with concentrations in creative writing and critical theory from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. A lifelong Episcopalian and mother of four, she lives in Chicago with her husband.

Erin Brown is a Northern Irish illustrator who lives on the beautiful island of Jersey. She combines her love for hand-drawn lines with the flexibility of adding color digitally. When she's not working, she can be found exploring the forests and cliff paths of Jersey or down at the seashore.

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction: I Can Start Fresh

I Am Rooted

1. Dandelions: Making It through Tough Times

2. Redwood Trees: Living in Community

3.Mangrove Forests: Being Myself

I Can Stretch

4. Wingspans: Feeling Low and Finding Lift

5. Spider Webs: Watching Anxiety from a Distance

6. Cats and Dogs: Talking Without Words

I Am Perfectly Me

7. Spirals: Embracing a Growth Mindset

8. Shapes: Finding Beauty in Nature

9. Spots and Stripes: Standing Out and Blending In

I Am In Flow

10. Lava: Investigating Strong Feelings

11. Water: Keeping Hydrated

12. Sap: Letting Go

I Can Grow and Change

13. Seasons: Knowing Now Isn't Forever

Conclusion: I Can Ask, "What Is?" Instead Of, "What If?"

A Few Words...about Words

Editorial Reviews

"Parents, caregivers and teachers will find that this easy-to-read book can serve as a guide and inspiration for being more deliberate about connecting the time spent outdoors to the emotional well-being and awareness of the children in their care and company. Highly recommended." —The Banner

From the Publisher