“The Lemonade Hurricane: A Story of Mindfulness and Meditation,” by Licia Morelli

An introduction to meditation and mindfulness for young readers, this children’s book tells the story of Emma and Henry. After school, Emma likes to come home, sit still and rest. But her brother Henry is the total opposite. She calls him the Lemonade Hurricane, a metaphor for what lemonade looks like when you stir it up and the pulps swirls around. However, when it becomes still, the liquid becomes clear.

Emma thinks Henry is actually a lot of fun when he isn’t running all over the house. One day she decides to teach him how to sit, bow and breath, in order to calm the hurricane that is her brother — and she succeeds. In addition to the story, the back of the book offers simple mindfulness techniques for use at home or in the classroom with children.

Good Night Yoga: A Pose by Pose Bedtime Story by Mariam Gates

Aimed at early to middle childhood, this new children’s book is more than a bedtime story — it’s also a series of simple yoga poses for children to move through before bed.

The author, Mariam Gates, has more than 20 years experience as a teacher, and channels her dedication for teaching yoga and her skills as an educator to guide children in accessing their inner world through Kid Power Yoga, which she founded and now offers teacher training programs worldwide.

This book offers both parents and children a practice to end their day in a calm and mindful way.

New Children’s Book: “Dreams Come True, All They Need is You,” by Mike Dooley

Mike Dooley, author of books on the law of attraction, including “Leveraging the Universe: 7 Steps to Engaging Life’s Magic,” and “Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams,” published his first children’s book called Dreams Come True… All They Need Is You!

It tells the story of three young friends who lift off in a hot air balloon during a dream one night, to experience “a wonderland” of dolphins and islands. Using rhyming, Dooley lays our life lessons for children to understand how they play a role in their own destiny and how the thoughts they think become the life they live.

For more on Dooley, visit www.tut.com.

5 Spiritual Children’s Books Recommended by Author Sanjay Nambiar

Author of award-winning children’s books, “Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones),” “Still There? (A Little Zen for Little Ones),” and “Remember the Stars (A Little Zen for Little Ones),” Sanjay Nambiar offers his picks for parents looking for more children’s books offering spiritual lessons.

Here are the 5 books:

“The Gift of Nothing,” by Patrick McDonnell Even though the holidays have passed, this story about gift-giving is wonderful any time of year.

“The Empty Pot,” by Demi – This is about a simple boy with a green thumb who tries to win the emperor’s flower growing contest. It illustrates the importance of humility, honesty and hard work.

“Chrysanthemum,” by Kevin Henkes
Henkes is a master storyteller and artist. In this book, he emphasizes the importance of acceptance and kindness, all through the context of an adorable mouse’s name.

“Flotsam,” by David WiesnerThough this book has no words it creates a magical world and a compelling story about the journey of a special camera and the kids who discover it.

“It’s Okay To Be Different,” by Todd ParrThis book is about tolerance and diversity, illustrated with fun, multi-colored drawings.

For more information on Nambiar, visit www.alittlezen.com.

Remember the Stars (A Little Zen for Little Ones) by Sanjay Nambiar

“Remember the Stars (A Little Zen for Little Ones)” is a new children’s book about a wise boy who receives a lot of love, along with a lot of worry, from his parents. They worry about his health, his happiness and just about everything else. But the little boy is smart, and asks his parents to consider focusing on the present moment instead of worrying about the future. This message touches upon core Zen concepts of being present and not letting our worries disconnect us from what is truly important.

“This third title in the A Little Zen for Little Ones series holds a special place in my heart,” said author Sanjay Nambiar. “We are so busy and preoccupied in our modern culture. This book imparts a little wisdom as to what is most important, namely the time we spend together.”

“Remember the Stars (A Little Zen for Little Ones)” is the third title in the award-winning A Little Zen for Little Ones trilogy. The first title in the series, “Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones),” won a Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Medal and a Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards Gold Medal and received broad critical acclaim, while the second title, “Still There? (A Little Zen for Little Ones),” also won a Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Medal.

Read our review of the second book in the series “Still There.”

New Zen-Themed Children’s Book “Still There?” Released

Following the award-winning release of the children’s book, “Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones),” author Sanjay Nambiar’s second book in the series, “Still There? (A Little Zen for Little Ones)” is now available.

“Still There? (A Little Zen for Little Ones)” reinterprets a Zen story of a wise boy who helps a girl even though she isn’t very nice to him. While his friend becomes upset about the situation, the wise boy simply lets it go and moves on to playing again. The story captures Zen concepts such as being in the present moment, doing something nice without expecting anything in return, letting go of an unpleasant experience, and not lingering on negative thoughts.

“I am very excited for this next book in the A Little Zen for Little Ones series,” said Nambiar. “I hope these stories can spark interesting discussions between parents and children. After all, if we can introduce kids to beautiful Zen concepts at an early age, we’ll all be better off for it.”

The next title in the series, “Remember the Stars (A Little Zen for Little Ones)” will be released in November 2012.