Meditation Station

October 1, 2020
A little bear compares mindfulness techniques to the sights and sounds of a train station. Thoughts, emotions, and desires swirl into a child's mind at a moment's notice, just like a train rushing into the station. One car has an ice-cream window; another is full of toys! A flatbed carries wishes--like "birthday cake for breakfast." Spilling out of another are all the "words you wanted to say, / adventures, stories and games you could play." The cuddly cub doesn't board the train but instead stays at the station, noticing each car and watching them zoom by. The train whistles and screeches as it arrives but hums a meditative "clickety-clack" as it chugs away. While the rhyming verse is not as regular as that onomatopoeia suggests, the conceit is gracefully and consistently handled: "Wait! The signal lights are flashing: red, yellow, green. / Stop and slow down your breathing machine. // Feel the thumpety-thump of your little heartbeat / from the top of your head to the tips of your feet." Calming watercolors and delicately inked illustrations match the soothing mood. Katz employs a very clever concept: a metaphor using a favorite childhood obsession--it's hard to top that. Plus, no baggage (literal or figurative) is needed for this trip. (This book was reviewed digitally with 7-by-15-inch double-page spreads viewed at 77.4% of actual size.) Climb aboard and regulate wiggly minds and bodies. (Picture book. 3-7)

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November 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 1-This title challenges children to observe their thoughts as they would a passing freight train. Thoughts, similar to a train, can be noisy and fast. Whether the train cars are filled with favorite things, memories, wishes, or regrets, youngsters are advised to stop and let them pass by while returning their focus to their breath. The text is written in rhyming couplets, which are at times unwieldy, but provides a good introduction to meditation and the practice of mindfulness. The illustrations feature a cuddly teddy bear wearing striped overalls and a scarf reminiscent of a train conductor. The bear guides readers through the train station, which bustles with other animal characters. The lines of the track and the steam from the train create a sense of dynamic movement. The soft colors and shapes convey feelings of peace and calmness. VERDICT A good overview of meditation and mindfulness for young readers.-Kelly Topita, Anne Arundel County P.L., MD

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