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ALEX CAN'T SLEEP by Brooke Vitale

ALEX CAN'T SLEEP

A Bedtime Yoga Story

From the Cosmic Kids series

by Brooke Vitale ; illustrated by Junissa Bianda

Pub Date: Sept. 20th, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-38685-9
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers

This picture-book tie-in with the Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube channel offers children some guidance on coping with stress.

After a bad day at school, Alex worries that tomorrow might be worse. With these thoughts swirling around his mind, he can’t sleep, so he heads to the kitchen for a snack. His mother comes in and offers him a glass of warm milk. Back in his room, Alex tells his mother what has been troubling him, and she suggests “deep, centering breaths.” After a couple of tries, he gets the hang of it and finally drops off to sleep. Throughout the story, the illustrations show Alex assuming different yoga poses that will be easily missed if readers are not familiar with the practice. But not to worry—the book closes by showing all of the poses and their names. Young readers may enjoy going back over the story to identify each pose. Caregivers will appreciate the suggestion of centered breathing as an easy but effective way to help their young charges relax. Colorful, kid-friendly, cartoonish illustrations depict Alex and his mother with light skin, pink cheeks, and red hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An easy introduction to yoga for the very young.

(Picture book. 4-6)