I am well Mind, body, healthy habits

PreS-K--This brightly colored board book serves as a primer for the very young on how to live a healthy yoga-inspired lifestyle. Seven healthy habits are identified at the start of the book, with a spread devoted to each. The child-friendly habit names are listed as headings, with subheadings providing the common monikers from the wellness community: "Breathe deeply" is renamed "Meditation," and "Be kind to ourselves" is subtitled "Self-care." A couple of simplistic sentences explain how Om Child practices each habit and what benefits they receive. A diverse group of wide-eyed children embody Om Child. They move through a bold, color-saturated world, joyfully practicing the seven healthy habits. While the content is not as likely to inspire excited movement or meditative calm as other works in the growing kid yoga market, it is hard to argue with the wisdom of the touted habits. VERDICT This introduction to the concept of wellness is recommended as an additional purchase, particularly where the other entries in the "Om Child" series are popular.--Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield P. L., IL

Despite the cover illustration of two children doing the Tree yoga pose, this is not a book about yoga. Rather, it is a child-friendly explanation of the ancient Indian medical system known as Ayurveda. "It is important to be healthy in our bodies and minds," the text begins. It then goes on to share the seven Ayurvedic principles: exercise, meditation, diet, hobbies, self-care, community, and rest. Each principle is given a child-friendly definition--exercise means "move our bodies," meditation means "breathe deeply," and so on--and accompanied by illustrations showing children putting the principle into action. On the spread about hobbies, kids are shown reading, painting, and playing with a pet. On the spread about exercise, yoga is specifically mentioned but also "running, biking, and playing games." An illustration of a boy wearing glasses and an apron seated before a platter filled with fruits and vegetables makes it clear what a healthy diet looks like. Short sentences explain how an "Om child" feels when they practice each wellness habit. Throughout the book, children are referred to using the pronoun they instead of he or she. The colorful, cartoony artwork features smiling, able-bodied, racially diverse children and some inclusion of pets and caregivers. An age-appropriate and clear discussion of what mindfulness looks like in practice. (Board book. 1-4) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.