In this standout guide dedicated to “change-makers,” Strittmatter, Hyde, and Schreiber tout the benefits, scientific and pedagogical, of mindfulness practice, with an emphasis on introducing it to children. What is mindfulness to these authors? Simply living as if “all that really exists is the present moment,” without judgement, with self acceptance, and with greater control over how we move through life. Rooted in Schreiber’s experience as a mindfulness practitioner who leads an in-school yoga and mindfulness practice, the text has been crafted to lead the reader both in developing a knowledge and understanding of mindfulness, applying it to the needs of young people (it can “help teens develop positive self-esteem and acceptance of themselves”), and in incorporating its practices into the classroom through clear, inviting routines.

A practical handbook, Grow sets itself apart with its thorough, clear exercises and meditations. Extensive quotes and personal examples from practitioners describing their experiences of mindfulness provide some deeper context but can distract from the flow of the argument; line drawings help readers picture more complex examples, and the glossary of sketched yoga poses at the end will definitely prove helpful for those who need a brush up. A little over a third of the book focuses on the exercises, focused on movement, breath practices, sensory experiences, and more.

Elsewhere, Strittmatter, Hyde, and Schreiber dig deeply into the benefits of mindfulness on an emotional, physical, intellectual, and social level, especially for young people. They argue that, as children’s brains are still developing, it’s urgent to learn emotional regulation and how to center yourself from people they can trust, and that the first step in teaching must be personal practice–children can detect insincerity and whether a teacher believes what they are teaching. Teachers and parents will find this a helpful guide to how to introduce mindfulness practices to their children –and why doing so is vital to emotional and social growth.

Takeaway: Parents and teachers will find this guide to mindful practice helpful in teaching children and developing themselves.

Great for fans of: Christopher Willard and Amy Saltzman’s Teaching Mindfulness to Skills to Kids and Teens, Wynne Kinder’s Mindfulness for Kids

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: B+
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-