Each Breath a Smile (Paperback)

by Sister Susan (Author), Nguyen Thi Hop (Illustrator), Nguyen Dong (Illustrator), Sister Thuc Nghiem (Contributor), Sister Thuc Nghiem (Author), Thi Hop Nguyen (Author), Dong Nguyen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Each Breath a Smile introduces preschool-aged children to mindful breathing. Through beautiful color illustrations, children learn to connect with their breathing to help them experience calmness and enjoy a deeper relationship with their friends and family. Illustrations of trees, frogs, crickets, and birds remind them of the many simple joys available in the world around them.

With twenty-eight full-page color illustrations by artists Nguyen Thi Hop and Nguyen Dong, this book will delight children while serving as a valuable resource for parents and teachers.

About the Author
Sister Thuc Nghiem (Susan Swan), a grandmother and former teacher, is a nun in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. She lives and works at Green Mountain Dharma Center in Vermont; this is her first book.

Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, scholar, and human rights activist. He has been a professor at Columbia and the Sorbonne; founder of Saigon's Van Hanh Buddhist University; nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr. for 1967 Nobel Peace Prize; author of 100+ books, 40 in English, including Present, Moment Wonderful Moment and Being Peace. He lives at Plum Village in France.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Plum Blossom Books (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888375221
• ISBN-13: 978-1888375220
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,963 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Eastern
  #23 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Bible > Reference & Interpretation
  #55 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Ages 4-8

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful, reverently spiritual book, April 13, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Each Breath A Smile by Sister Thuc Nghiem (Susan Swan) is a delightful picturebook based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen master who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This gentle and charming book, illustrated in cheerful pastel colors, shows children how to relax and enjoy happiness through mindful breathing. "Breathing in, I see myself as a mountain. Breathing out, I feel solid. Mountain, sold. / Breathing in, I see myself as space. Breathing out, I feel free. Space, free." A thoughtful, reverently spiritual book, highly recommended picturebook for young readers.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Peaceful, Affirming Read-Aloud, July 8, 2005

By	ArtCat (NY City) - See all my reviews

This beautifully simple book is deeply spiritual without being "religious." I have read it aloud in Grades K-3 including Special Education classes, and it always has a calming, reassuring effect on the children (and on me too!). It can be an introduction to quiet imagination/visualization activities or a concluding activity to help relax and focus a group. The book itself can be a kind of meditation exercise, since part of the text suggests breathing and calming the body in gentle, repetitive language. This is an excellent book to have on hand; it may be used regularly with the same group or in one particular lesson. Unique and highly recommended.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breath Awareness for Kids, April 15, 2006

By	Karen Annel (New York) - See all my reviews

Beautiful book for children to read. There is a real peaceful feeling throughout this book. Love the illustrations. Great introduction to the idea of mindful breathing for children.Every time I read this story...the kids seem to calm down. I also use A Boy and A Bear and Indigo Dreams to take the breathing concept a step further and actually teach the children the mechanics of breathing, I recommend Each Breath a Smile and I recommend teaching kids to breathe correctly. Also try Baby Buddhas for more ideas on how to teach