Review by Booklist Review
Wolf's thoughtfully crafted poetry collection invites young readers into a space of reflection and mindfulness. Through prose and rhythm, these 30 poems explore profound yet accessible themes, such as integrity, perseverance, empathy, and appreciation for life's small wonders. Each poem encourages children to pause, think, and connect with their emotions in different ways and contexts, fostering self-awareness and resilience in an engaging way. The book serves as a guide for young minds navigating challenges, relationships, and self-discovery, offering wisdom in poetic reflections. Whether contemplating the strength to keep going in difficult times or the beauty of kindness, readers are encouraged to find meaning in both the ordinary and the extraordinary. Complementing the poetry, the illustrations are vibrant and thoughtfully designed, enhancing each poem's theme with depth and childlike wonder. Eye-catching and expressive, the visuals create a soothing yet stimulating reading experience. The Gift of the Broken Teacup is a treasure trove of mindfulness in which readers can find inspiration and cultivate peace within their lives.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--5--This volume of poetry offers 30 opportunities for readers to be present with the words and imagery of creative duo Wolf and Orlando. The book is loosely organized into thirds, beginning with a section titled "Mindfulness," followed by "Meditation," which includes poetry about yoga and walking meditation. A final third section is labeled "Me." Narrators of the poems sometimes appear as a didactic adult persona in poems like "You Be You," "How To Turn Worry Into Wonder," and "Angry? Act it Out!" Other times the voice is that of a child, as in "I Write Myself Down!" and "Betsy Best, My Best Worst Friend." Individually, the poems have the capacity to teach and charm, but may appeal more to educators. While there's no denying the talent of the author and illustrator, the pairings attempt to strike a balance of the anodyne poetry of an American generalist seeking to impart lessons of Buddhism with a visual artist known for her ability to create harmonious imagery depicting community and belonging. VERDICT Recommended for elementary collections where mindfulness-based stress reduction and social-emotional learning through yoga and meditation are popular.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The virtuosic Wolf delivers 30 poems exploring self-actualization. In three sections of roughly equal length, oft-rhyming verse scans impeccably, the better to convey messages of perseverance and self-acceptance. The first section, "Mindfulness," ranges the widest, delving into concepts such as integrity and kindness. A young taekwondo student narrates "I'll Be Back Tomorrow": "My belt slips down around my knees. / I keep forgetting moves I know! / I'm sore and sort of ill at ease. / I'll still be back tomorrow, though!" Several entries begin with a quote or definition. "Inconsequential" sensitively lists examples that belie its dictionary definition, encouraging readers to consider the world through others' eyes. "A breeze inconsequential / keeps a bird aloft in flight. / A cry inconsequential / wakes a mother up at night." The "Meditation" section introduces practical steps ("Close eyes. / Soft sighs. / Sit tall. / That's all") and offers poems about meditating while standing and walking. "The Om Poem" is a delightful introduction to the use of the word: "Anom is a poem / without any words. / It acts as a voice / so the heart can be heard." The "Me" section examines emotional intelligence and the importance of being present, with several entries lauding writing and journal-keeping as tools for self-discovery. Orlando's pictures beautifully complement Wolf's poems, with plenty of animals, playful perspectives, and thoughtfully diverse depictions of children. A terrific exposition of mindfulness, perfectly distilled for curious kids.(Picture book/poetry. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
