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kelleemoye's review
4.0
At first glance, Mari seems like the perfect butterfly. She is beautiful, busy, efficient… but is she happy? She is doing what she things she should do but is she embracing who she is? These are the types of questions that this book is asking.
To be honest, reading this book may have hit home more for me than for Trent. The book is about slowing down and taking the time to be happy. Trent is still young and knows how to enjoy time, but it is important for me to show him that I too have time for the small things and also help him continue to do so. But just like the book made me think about passions, being busy, and how we come off, it will do the same for most readers.
I really loved the backmatter as well, learning how the author was inspired by the Mariposa DR Foundation’s Center for Girls and her granddaughters. It truly brought the book together and shows how the ideas within the book can be used in the real world.
Now, take all of this beautifulness in words and story and add in Colón’s beautiful watercolor illustrations that bring Mari to life, and this book clearly is a must have when discussing mindfulness with all ages!
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=22811
To be honest, reading this book may have hit home more for me than for Trent. The book is about slowing down and taking the time to be happy. Trent is still young and knows how to enjoy time, but it is important for me to show him that I too have time for the small things and also help him continue to do so. But just like the book made me think about passions, being busy, and how we come off, it will do the same for most readers.
I really loved the backmatter as well, learning how the author was inspired by the Mariposa DR Foundation’s Center for Girls and her granddaughters. It truly brought the book together and shows how the ideas within the book can be used in the real world.
Now, take all of this beautifulness in words and story and add in Colón’s beautiful watercolor illustrations that bring Mari to life, and this book clearly is a must have when discussing mindfulness with all ages!
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=22811
litagentsaritza's review
4.0
The universe is clearly telling me something. It’s reminding me to take some time connecting with myself. To remember that a long to-do list will only get longer when burnout sets in.
In her wondrous and calming picture book, renowned author Julia Alvarez teaches young people how to meditate as Mari Posa does in her story. It’s the picture book I didn’t know I needed. What a joy!
In her wondrous and calming picture book, renowned author Julia Alvarez teaches young people how to meditate as Mari Posa does in her story. It’s the picture book I didn’t know I needed. What a joy!
antlersantlers's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this, but (ironically) the text needed more breathing room. A lot of little things happened that didn't really matter, and I think if it was pared down it would be more successful. I've read a lot of picture books about mindfulness and meditation, but I don't think this one does a good job of explaining it really at all. I like Colón's illustrations, but it's not really hist strongest work.
erine's review
Written as a tool to help instruct about meditation and mindfulness, it succeeds in its mission.
mutuallyinclusive's review
reflective
relaxing
This calming, gentle picture book follows a young butterfly name Mari Posa, as she buzzes about her busy days. With so much to do, Mari finds she may not be paying enough attention to her days, as everything becomes a blur of activity. Her mind races about the things she needs to do, and she doesn’t seem to rest or enjoy her accomplishments at the end of the day.
One day, Mari meets a new friend who helps her recall the peaceful feelings she had inside her chrysalis. He teaches her how to go back to that calm place in her mind through controlled breathing and meditating, before he makes a transformation of his own.
I was really surprised to find myself relating to Mari Posa. I’ve always known that I have a lot of irons in the fire being a mom, a writer, a reviewer, and having a day job. But I never really thought about the way I might not be sitting with each of those activities and enjoying them in the moment. Already a Butterfly inspired me to set some time aside for yoga and meditation every week, to make sure I’m being a bit more mindful. I always love when a children’s book teaches me a lesson!
The illustrations by Raúl Colón are beautiful. They reminded me of classic illustrations from the books I read as a child, and they bring such a calming energy to Mari Posa’s story.
Julia Alvarez is a Dominican-American poet, novelist, essayist, and the recipient of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Award and National Medal of Arts. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at juliaalvarez.com.
Raúl Colón is an award-winning illustrator based in New York. Please visit his Instagram to learn more about him and his work, including one of my personal favorites Counting The Stars by Lesa Cline-Ransome.
Thank you to Blue Slip Media for providing me with a review copy of this beautiful book. I hope you all enjoy your World Meditation Day celebrations and find a bit of peace in your busy days.
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | Storygraph
One day, Mari meets a new friend who helps her recall the peaceful feelings she had inside her chrysalis. He teaches her how to go back to that calm place in her mind through controlled breathing and meditating, before he makes a transformation of his own.
I was really surprised to find myself relating to Mari Posa. I’ve always known that I have a lot of irons in the fire being a mom, a writer, a reviewer, and having a day job. But I never really thought about the way I might not be sitting with each of those activities and enjoying them in the moment. Already a Butterfly inspired me to set some time aside for yoga and meditation every week, to make sure I’m being a bit more mindful. I always love when a children’s book teaches me a lesson!
The illustrations by Raúl Colón are beautiful. They reminded me of classic illustrations from the books I read as a child, and they bring such a calming energy to Mari Posa’s story.
Julia Alvarez is a Dominican-American poet, novelist, essayist, and the recipient of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Award and National Medal of Arts. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at juliaalvarez.com.
Raúl Colón is an award-winning illustrator based in New York. Please visit his Instagram to learn more about him and his work, including one of my personal favorites Counting The Stars by Lesa Cline-Ransome.
Thank you to Blue Slip Media for providing me with a review copy of this beautiful book. I hope you all enjoy your World Meditation Day celebrations and find a bit of peace in your busy days.
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | Storygraph
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
3.0
Mari is a butterfly, and she is terribly busy. Is she happy? she asks herself, and she finds she is not. Along comes a flower bud to help her learn the secrets of meditation.
The pictures are beautiful, and everyone can benefit from the meditation skills taught in this story.
The pictures are beautiful, and everyone can benefit from the meditation skills taught in this story.
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