Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts

Thursday, November 5, 2020

The Couch Potato by Jory John illus by Pete Oswald




This has been a long strange year.  Back in March my work shut down and I didn’t go to work for over 5 months. I was able to do some small stuff at home but not much. I thought this would have been a perfect time to work on my blog.  Sadly I didn’t do much of anything all the time I was off except eat too much and watch a lot of bad TV. One of the reasons I loved today’s book is because I was pretty much a “couch potato” the whole time I wasn’t working. It wasn’t until I was about to go back to work that I started going out for walks and do things around my house. This is why The Couch Potato resonated with me so well.  
 
 
The Couch Potato by Jory John and Illustrated by Pete Oswald is the perfect book for these uncertain times.  This duo of Jory John and Pete Oswald has totally touched a nerve with a book that is so current and fresh. 
 
 
I love the illustrations, which are charming and expressive. The book is about a potato that loves sitting on his couch watching shows and playing video games. He actually reminds me of my little nephew who loves his games. But as always there is an ulterior motive in this duo’s stories. This story reminds children (and possibly some adults) that while it is ok to spend time relaxing and sitting on the couch it is good to go out and experience the natural world from time to time.  I don’t know if this book was in the works before so many were forced to stay home but their timing is perfect.  This is a great book to read to little ones to encourage them to go outside and have fun.  

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Good Morning Yoga by Mariam Gates illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder




Good Morning Yoga: A Pose by Pose Wake Up Story written by Mariam Gates and illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder is a sweet new book that teaches Yoga to the very young.  It does so by incorporating yoga poses into a little story filled with imagination.  Last fall I recommended another children's yoga book called I Am Yoga. At that time I had only taken one yoga class myself.  Since then I have been taking classes run by my sister in law. I have found them to be very soothing and inspiring.  I have another friend who teaches yoga to children.  When I found Good Morning Yoga I thought of her.  This is a perfect companion book to I Am Yoga.  I love the soothing way this new book is written.  Each pose is written as a little adventure.  I personally liked Mountain Pose and the way Downward Facing Dog is presented.  In today's world children tend to not get up and move as much as they should. This would be a perfect practice for a child first thing in the morning or anytime.  A way for them to stretch and move in a gentle manner.  At the end of the book there is even a bit about meditation....which can be very calming.  I think any book that instills a feeling of calm and focus can only be a good thing.  At the link there are additional links to videos of the book...Something to enjoy!