Anna and Her Rainbow Colored Yoga Mats
This title is one of about 10 books in the Yoga Kids Stories. These books integrate yoga poses into stories that provide information, about animals, other countries and often present educational concepts such as shapes, colors and seasons. Some titles in the series teach life lessons such as embracing diversity. The author, Giselle Shardlow, uses her educational expertise from her Masters of International Education; her eight years of experience teaching grades K-5 in Guatemala, Australia, Canada and United States; and her certification as a yoga instructor to bring multiple layers of learning to each book. Each title is a rich experience, creating various educational applications for both school and home.
The yoga component itself is a wonderful tool. Many educators and parents use yoga to help children calm themselves. As an adult who has recently started yoga, I truly understand how effective yoga can be to reduce stress. Yoga is an easy and effective tool to help children in dealing with their emotions and stresses. Each book contains helpful endnotes to guide the parent or educator to safely and successfully introduce yoga to children and making it a more meaningful and enjoyable experience for everyone.
But in addition to the yoga component, this story includes some academic concepts as well as emotional intelligence. While math and colors are part of the story, even more important life lessons are introduced. Anna is the new student at her school. But in addition to that she wears a hearing aid and does yoga. All of these differences could be very isolating – and at first they are. However, Anna’s positive attitude and self-confidence help to draw first one, then many of her schoolmates into her circle of friends. Diversity of all types is embraced in this story. There is much to learn and discuss in this deceivingly simple looking book! (This book is also available in Spanish.)[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]
“As a retired school librarian, I appreciate books which can be used to introduce multiple ideas. And engaging stories such as these have been proven to be a successful way to introduce students to concepts.” -quoted in the Kids Yoga Stories Newsletter [/perfectpullquote]
The author has done an expert job at packing a variety of knowledge into bright, cheerful picture books. I sell the Yoga Kids Stories in my personal book business at book fairs and educational conferences (www.barefootlibrarian.com). I highly recommend this book in the Yoga Kids Stories series.
*Anna and Her Rainbow Colored Yoga Mats
Author: Giselle Shardlow
Illustrator: Paul Wrangles
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Publication Date: 2012
Format: Paperback
*Price: $11.95
Ages: 3 – 7 years
EDUCATOR’S Tips, Correlations, Connections, Resources
IB Themes/Units of Inquiry: How We Express Ourselves: Colors and Our Five Senses
IB Attributes: Confidence; Curiosity; Cooperation; Empathy; Independence; Integrity; Respect; Tolerance.
Emotional Intelligence: Diversity; Special Needs
Math: Counting the different yoga poses; counting the different colored mats; counting the number of children in the story.
Activity: Yoga poses
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