ABCs for a Peaceful Me: A Mindfulness Seek-and-Find Book

Written by Shelly Becker

Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Abrams Appleseed

978-1-419772719

40 pp.

Ages 3-7

August 2024 

 

I think many people believe anyone can write a concept book such as an alphabet book, not unlike every celebrity who thinks writing a picture book is a piece of cake. After all, everyone knows that alphabet so finding a bunch of words on a single theme should be easy. It's not if it's done well. And by making her book about mindfulness and incorporating a seek-and-find element, Shelly Becker makes ABCs for a Peaceful Me take on an important mental health practice while making it fun for young children.

 

From ABCs for a Peaceful Me, written by Shelly Becker, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

The book begins with the following directive:

Feel  your breath move in and out.

Feel the peaceful energy.

Focus on the here and now...

and just BE.

Then, for each letter, a child is doing something that will give them an opportunity to focus and be in the moment. In each case, it's a single verb or verb phrase, allowing the reader to interpret and expand on the term to make it what they need. It could be to breathe or connect, to nurture or observe, and to visualize or wait. 

 

Finally, children are encouraged to...

Rise to your highest heights.

Embrace the sparkling star that you are,

Shine your one-of-a-kind light...

and just BE.

From ABCs for a Peaceful Me, written by Shelly Becker, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

While an adult might read this book from A to Z, as well as the "Author's Note", the reading of this book should be approached differently for a child. Shelly Becker knows this, providing a discussion about how to do a "Mindful Reading" of the book, and how to conduct a "Five Senses Mindfulness Treasure Hunt." This book could become a whole teaching unit on being mindful, incorporating lessons on health and well-being, on the science of making observations and using the five senses to do so, on visual literacy to look for details within each illustration that begin with each letter, and so much more. ABCs for a Peaceful Me may be intended for young children but I believe it will be valuable tool for reducing stress for all.

From ABCs for a Peaceful Me, written by Shelly Becker, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Dan Yaccarino, an American author and illustrator, has collaborated with Shelly Becker on a number of picture books, but his digital artwork in ABCs for a Peaceful Me works especially well in a concept book. There is a simplicity that mirrors both the peaceful nature of the book and the alphabetical nature of the text. Dan Yaccarino uses colours and shapes that are both bold and reassuring, quite an accomplishment.

From ABCs for a Peaceful Me, written by Shelly Becker, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Some of the words in ABCs for a Peaceful Me are big. Words like appreciate, journey and uplift, but mindfulness is a big concept. The book may be aimed at the very young but the not-so-young will certainly appreciate its worth too.