Tai Chi for Kids: Move with the Animals [Hardcover]

Stuart Alve Olson (Author), Gregory Crawford (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The first tai chi book exclusively for children ages 4 to 8.

• Uses children's delight in imitating animals to teach the eight basic tai chi forms essential for health.

• Each exercise is accompanied by colorful artwork and photographs of the author's 7-year-old son demonstrating postures.

• Written as a story to invite imaginative play and learning.

• Designed for children and parents to play with together and for independent learning by older children.

Millions of adults practice the ancient Chinese exercise of tai chi everyday. Now children can experience the numerous health, learning, and social benefits of tai chi--focused attention; enhanced creativity, imagination, self-confidence; and improved balance, circulation, and overall health--through the eight simple exercises introduced in Tai Chi for Kids.

Inspired by his own son's excitement with tai chi at the age of only three, master teacher Stuart Olson appeals to the innate imagination and playfulness of children to teach them the eight basic forms of a tai chi practice. Children have fun imitating animals while guided by colorful and playful illustrations and photographs of Olson's son, Lee, performing each posture. Olson uses the language of a storyteller, wonderful animal metaphors that invite children to pretend, and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions so that every child can enjoy such exercises as "Chasing the Monkeys Away," and "Riding the Tiger to the Mountain." The book also includes a fun teaching tale of how tai chi first began that can be read out loud by a parent or independently by the older child. Tai Chi for Kids introduces children to a lifetime of physical fitness and instills in them a love of movement.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tai Chi for Kids is a unique and enthusiastically recommended title for any family, school, or library collection."
(The Children's Bookwatch, February 2002 )

"A great way to introduce your own children to this ancient healing and balancing movement art." (The Empty Vessel, Fall 2002 )

About the Author

Stuart Alve Olson has studied tai chi, Taoist meditation, and Chinese language for more than 25 years. Considered one of the leading authorities on tai chi, he has taught classes and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. He is the author of Imagination Becomes Reality, Taoist Origins of Qigong, and Tai Chi According to the I Ching. He presently lives in northern California. Greg Crawford is a self-taught artist who has made his living as an illustrator and designer for more than thirty-five years.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bear Cub Books; 2nd Printing edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879181657
• ISBN-13: 978-1879181656
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 11.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Sports > Martial Arts
  • #56 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Tai Chi & Qi Gong

More About the Author

Stuart is a sectarian Daoist teacher, translator, and writer on Chinese philosophy, health, and internal arts. He has studied and practiced Daoism and Chinese Buddhism for more than 40 years. In 2006, he helped form Valley Spirit Arts to present his books and DVDs, and is the head teacher at the Sanctuary of Dao in Phoenix, Arizona, where he focuses on translating various Daoist texts, conducting lectures, leading retreats, and teaching.

Stuart has published 15 books, many of which now appear in several foreign-language editions.

Stuart has performed numerous book signings, appeared on many TV and radio talk shows throughout the United States, written several articles for martial art and Daoist magazines, and has taught Daoism and Tai Ji Quan in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Canada, and Italy.

In 2005, he traveled to Britain to appear in the Tai Ji documentary film "Embracing the Tiger." His works on Tai Ji Quan and Daoism have been well received within both communities.

You can email him at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique and enthusiastically recommended title, February 3, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Tai Chi for Kids: Move with the Animals (Hardcover)

Stuart Olson's Tai Chi For Kids: Move With The Animals introduces young readers ages 4 to 8 to one of the ancient popular Chinese form of exercise. Eight simple but elegant Tai Chi movements are showcased and are simple enough that parents or caregivers can easily teach a child to perform. The illustrated presentations are particularly imaginative as they draw upon the mimicry and symbolism of animals and animal movements. The exercises include: Holding the Bird's Tail; Snake Slithering Down; White Crane Cools Its Wings; Carry the Tiger Back to the Moutnain; Dragon Plays in the Clouds; Wild Goose Flies Away; Chasing the Monkeys Away; and Gold Roosster Stands on One Leg. Tai Chi For Kids is a unique and enthusiastically recommended title for any family, school, or library collection.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is perfect for kids!!, May 21, 2005

By 

Krait (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tai Chi for Kids: Move with the Animals (Hardcover)

After reading the other reviews, I seriously considered not buying this book for my 17 month year old son. After some thought however and lack of other Tai Chi books for kids, I decided to try it anyway. Figuring that at least he could look at the pictures.

At first glance my son let out an animal roar. I knew it was a success. The drawings are great perfect for a child's imagination. The book is segmented very clearly. It definitely explains Tai chi to kids in a fun creative way.

I have nothing negative to say about this book. I can only wonder what some people expect from a children's Tai Chi book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nice Supplement to Other Instruction, Insufficient as Stand-Alone, August 22, 2010

By 

C. Flynn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tai Chi for Kids: Move with the Animals (Hardcover)

I think it would be very difficult to learn tai chi solely from these narrative descriptions and still pictures. It's essential for users of this book to have left/right differentiation down cold. Only the most patient child could use this book for self-instruction. You really need someone reading the instructions to you while you try to follow them. It might be helpful to look up the 8 movements in the book on youtube to get an idea of what they look like. Use key terms rather than exact titles when searching, as there are variations on the name of the same movement (e.g. grasp bird's tail). The movements in the book are:
1. Holding the Bird's Tail
2. Snake Slithering Down
3. White Crane Cools Its Wings
4. Carry the Tiger Back to the Mountain
5. Dragon Plays in the Clouds
6. Wild Goose Flies Away
7. Chasing the Monkeys Away
8. Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg.

The instructions for each movement are quite involved. Here is a sample (steps for Bird's Tail):
1. Stand with your feet apart and your arms hanging down.
2. Next, turn at the waist to our RIGHT as you point your RIGHT foot. Shift all your weight onto your RIGHT leg as you bring your hands up to catch the bird before it flies away.
3. Your RIGHT hand touches the top of the bird's head and your LEFT hand is underneath on the front of the bird's chest. You should feel like you are holding a big ball in your hands.
4. Now with your LEFT foot, take one step out to the side. Your weight stays on your RIGHT foot and your body is still facing the RIGHT. At the same time that you move your LEFT foot, raise your LEFT hand and arm so that they are in front of your chest.
5. Imagine that you are picking up the bird as your LEFT arm moves up. You should feel like you are holding a big ball to your chest with your arm. As your LEFT hand moves up your RIGHT hand moves out to the side and down as if you were sliding it down the bird's back to its tail.
6. To finish, turn your waist to the LEFT and sit down a little bit so there is weight also in your LEFT leg and hold the bird. Your LEFT hand is embracing the bird's chest, and your RIGHT hand is holding the bird's tail.
7. Repeat 8 times on each side.