Practicing Mindfulness: Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo’s Activity and Coloring Book for Kids
Kim Larkins
Loving Healing Press (2022)
ISBN: 978-1615996988
Reviewed by Diana Coyle for Reader Views (4/2023)
In “Practicing Mindfulness: Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo’s Activity and Coloring Book for Kids,” author Kim Larkins explains to children that mindfulness is all about paying attention to the present moment and to being aware of what is happening around them during that time. She teaches this mindset through offering an entire activity book with different exercises that will promote mindfulness within children. From a breathing exercise to paying attention to the noises around the child at the time they’re doing the exercises – one of my favorite activities is listing the things the child is grateful for. Every exercise is fun and has a benefiting purpose for the child.
My first thought about this activity book was who better to write this book than a Licensed Social Worker who has dedicated the past thirty years to working with children and families in the mental health and human services field? Larkins is the perfect person to pen a book dedicated to offering activities that can only benefit the well-being of children.
As I turned the pages, I realized I’ve never seen such a well-thought-out activity book that actually had the children learning from the variety of activities offered. Each activity involves children taking the time to not only get to know themselves better, but also to make them aware of things beyond themselves. I loved the idea of Ms. Larkins going beyond just giving common activities such as drawing, word searches and even coloring pages for the children to do. Instead, she asks them to step out of the box and think beyond just having mindless fun.
I also love that this activity book is based around characters from her ongoing book series for adults, “Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo.” The characters are adorable and children will easily fall in love with them as they follow along in her activity books. If I may be so bold to say I think this book would make a wonderful addition to a school curriculum and it fits perfectly within the suggested ages of 7-11. I highly recommend “Practicing Mindfulness: Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo’s Activity and Coloring Book for Kids,” for parents and teachers to offer to the children in their lives. Well done, Ms. Larkins!
