Customer Reviews

Tai Chi for Kids: Move with the Animals

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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.

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.

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.

My son and I have a wonderful time mimicking the beautiful illustrations in this book, which have also helped him with balance, structure and poise.

This book was more than I expected. It was so delightful! The author's little boy is the model for the various poses; his smile is so engaging, and he looks so happy doing Tai chi, that it is just an all around "feel good" type of book. Each pose has a colorful painting/sketch of an animal in the pose, with the little boy imitating the animal. Then there is an easy to follow set of numbered instructions for each step toward getting into the pose, with a photo of the boy demonstrating each step. The names of each pose are fun for kids and adults alike. For example, White Crane Cools it's Wings, or Chasing the Monkeys Away. I am a long term Tai chi student and a long distance grandmother. When the kids and I get together on vacations, they do Tai chi with me. I sent for this with the idea it will be something to send to them so they can continue to practice on their own. Since my own Tai chi teacher was so surprised that my grandkids enjoy Tai chi so much, and since I have not heard of classes for kids, I assumed that nobody was teaching them and writing for them. A fellow Tai chi student referred me to this book. I am pleasantly surprised with how well it is written. It was very sweet to read the author's story of how he didn't teach children, until his son, three years old at the time, showed him how. Well, I have had the book for a few days now, and will finally part with it to mail it to the kids. I recommend it for anyone who wants to introduce kids to Tai chi in a very fun and easy way. Kate

As I have only just began to teach children (5-10) the art of Tai Chi I found this book very informative. They loved the exercises and the pictures were enjoyed by all.

Olson's book is great material for a teacher used to teaching adults, but can't get a handle on where to start with children. It emphasizes the key aspect: making play out of work. Using animal visualizations to identify with the movements. Anyone who wants a complete one-year course will be disappointed, but in the end, we all have to make it our own. Use this book as a starting point, then make it your own, as I am.

My children love doing Tai Chi. I found this book just for children. Making the movements like animals is really fun for them! It is more on their level and easier to understand than conventional Tai Chi movements. They really enjoy doing it just before bed. They relax more and sleep better. I recommend this book to parents.

This is a great book. I love it!! Beautiful! I love the text and the drawing on every single page. It uses 8 animals' moves to show to kids how to do Tai Chi. The author featured his own son doing all the 8 animal moves of Tai Chi. It is fun and educational for both kids and adults. I highly recommend it!

The pictures are easy to understand and I loved the story about how Tai Chi got started. A very good book... I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn, or to teach, this gentle art.