REST AND RENEWAL

I just read an article in Kirkus entitled Giving Children a Heritage of Rest and Renewal by Summer Edward. It struck a very positive chord with me because I've read several picture books recently that celebrate the joys of rest and the importance of being allowed to simply do nothing. I searched my brain trying to find words to describe them. I used "quiet" and "mindfulness". So I really appreciated this article - and how it stresses how much little ones need some quiet and some down time. I would also include connecting with nature as a path of rest and renewal for both kids and adults. Three books that I read recently that might encourage rest and renewal for both you and your kids are listed below!

 

    

 

My Bed: Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep Around the World by Rebecca Bond; illustrated by Salley Mavor; published October 27, 2020. 

You and your little ones can take a tour around the world, looking at many different beds that children sleep in at night. On a roof, in a hammock, on the floor -- so many different types of beds! And to also note that everyone needs rest - no matter where or how they go about getting that rest!

Some activities - It would be fun to locate all of the countries on a map while exploring the book. Or try out a different kind of bed together! You won't be able to recreate all of them but you can do a few. Definitely a book that opens windows and doors to allow children to see that not everyone sleeps in a bed like theirs!
The text does rhyme but I did not pick up on that until the last few pages. It's an interesting rhyme scheme which is another item to explore as you read the book. Which words rhyme?
For me, the true beauty of this book lies in Salley Mavor's pictures. Each picture is lovingly created by hand - most of it needlework. So much to explore! The cherry blossoms on the tree in Japan are all exquisite French knots! And there are small, hand-sewn animals that adorn every page and scene. The children have small, hand-painted wooden heads. Mavor explains her process at the end of the book. Please be sure to read how she went about creating the art for this book.

 

Have You Ever Seen a Flower? by Shawn Harris; published May 4, 2021.

 

Beautiful fluorescent illustrations depict a young girl's exploration of what it would be like to experience a flower with all five senses. The book starts out in a gray city with only one small splash of color - the girl and her dog, headed out to the country to find a field of flowers. The colors explode off the page as the flowers are discovered and experienced. The book invites you to mindfully stop and think about what it would be like to actually be a flower; to examine the things that we might have in common with flowers and what things are different.
Harris works magic with his colored pencils! The illustrations are amazing. Even though he uses bright colors, they still manage to convey a dreamlike quality. 

Emile and the Field by Kevin Young; illustrated by Chioma Ebinama; TO BE published March 15, 2022.

This is one to put on your "looking forward to read" list! I was so happy that @RHCBEducators and @TheRandomSchoolHouse shared a digital ARC with me!  

A boy (Emile) loves a field - really! It is one of his favorite places to be. And he is sometimes jealous about sharing it with others but comes to realize that makes it even more special. Emile visits the field in all kinds of weather, each in its own season, and learns different things each time - always accompanied by his little black dog. 

One activity that you could use with this book is to discuss favorite places with your child - places they love, where they feel at home and safe. Then you could explain that when they need to calm down, they can visualize a favorite place which might help them relax. 

 

Are there any books you use to help your child fall asleep? Or that you find particularly calming?