A poetry collection that both illustrates what mindfulness is and encourages young, growing minds to be present, from poet and educator Georgia Heard, with art by Isabel Roxas. Poets have long observed the world in a mindful way. They point out beauty we might have missed, draw our attention to our inner thoughts, and call us to see our society in new ways. But as daily life become more and more chaotic, children grow distracted. According to the CDC, 9.4% of children have ADHD and 7% have anxiety/depression. And these numbers continue to climb. As treatment doctors recommend healthy eating, physical activity, plenty of sleep, and mindfulness techniques. Georgia Heard is a poet and educator—and she has long had her own meditation practice. In My Thoughts Are Clouds, she uses poetry to demonstrate what mindfulness is and gives kids—and their parents and teachers—accessible ways to learn mindfulness tools.

I breathe slowly in, I breathe slowly out. My breath is a river of peace. I am here in the world. Each moment I can breathe and be. Hear thunder crash, feel your toes touch sand, and watch leaves drift softly away on a quiet stream. The simple poems in Breathe and Be help children learn mindfulness as they connect to the beauty of the natural world. Mindfulness teaches us how to stay calm, soothe our emotions, and appreciate the world around us. Whether we’re watching tiny colored fish darting in the water or exploring the leaves, branches, and roots of a towering tree, the thoughtful words and the lovely art of Breathe and Be remind us how much joy we can find by simply living with awareness and inner peace. Ages 4–8

Your mind is like the sky. Sometimes it's clear and blue - but sometimes a raincloud thought comes along and makes everything seem dark. So what can we do about rainclouds? This beautiful picture book, written by psychologist Bronwen Ballard and illustrated by award-winning artist Laura Carlin, shows children that worries and negative thoughts are normal and helps them develop healthy thinking habits. Tips on mindfulness and extra resources for parents are included at the back of the book.

Simply put, this resource will serve as your road map to understanding the poetry component of the CCSS--from favorite poet and author, Georgia Heard!

A collection of life-affirming verses, inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, includes poems paired with artwork volunteered by such well-known picture book artists as G. Brian Karas, Keven Hawkes, and Giselle Potter.

If you were diagnosed with a terminal illness today, what would you do with the rest of your life? People sometimes ask themselves this question theoretically as a kind of inspirational exercise. And most say things like quitting their job and traveling the world, or going skydiving, or any number of things that might make them feel more alive. But for Amy Lyn Schnitzler, there was nothing theoretical about the question. Amy was first diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2016 when she was 26-years-old. By November, it had progressed to metastatic; a terminal diagnosis.For Amy, her terminal diagnosis was everything you might expect - heartbreaking, fear-inducing and painful - but it was also a wake up call. She didn't want to go skydiving or traveling. She wanted to live. Not for adventure, but for herself and those who loved her. She decided to catalogue her journey through blogging. These posts and other writings have become My Terminal Life: Cancer Habitation and Other Life Adventures. Her stories are funny, raw, and honest. They take us from her body shame to walking a fashion show runway in lingerie, and from the depths of her despair to a determination not only to live, but to thrive. Through it all, she portrays a heroic willingness to be transparent about her experiences so that others might better understand.

When Adam Lorress is apprenticed to a church caretaker, his parents rent his room to a schoolmaster: A quiet man with secret, sinister intentions. Over the years, as Adam and his family are touched by this evil, he grows bitter and questions God's love and mercy. It is only when he reaches the depths of despair that he begins a slow return to life. Along the way, he is touched by true friends, loving relatives, amusing characters, and at last, love.