Review - Breathing Makes It Better

Breathing Makes It Better
by Christopher Willard & Wendy O'Leary
illustrated by Alea Marley
Date: 2019
Publisher: Bala Kids
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 36
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

An engaging and interactive story showing children ages 3-6 the power of breath when dealing with new and difficult emotions.

Read aloud and breathe along with this sweet story teaching children how to navigate powerful emotions like anger, fear, sadness, confusion, anxiety, and loneliness. With rhythmic writing and engaging illustrations, Breathing Makes It Better guides children to breathe through their feelings and find calm with recurring cues to stop and take a breath. Simple guided practices, like imagining you are a tree blowing in the wind, follow each story to teach children how to apply mindfulness techniques when they need them the most.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book teaches young children to focus on their breathing when they're feeling strong emotions. It's a nice introduction to mindfulness, with cute illustrations and catchy rhymes to repeat when you're feeling sad, angry, scared, or alone. There are also some simple breathing exercises at the back of the book that are perfect for kids (or for anyone who needs to take a moment and just breathe).

One thing that bothers me, though, is that this is yet another picture book where the illustrator isn't credited on the cover. For picture book connoisseurs, this omission is actually quite annoying, because it potentially makes it more difficult to find the illustrator's other work if we like it. It's also somewhat disrespectful; after all, most picture books wouldn't even exist without pictures!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bala Kids for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5