A HORSE CALLED NOW
by Ruth Doyle ; illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey
A gentle horse models mindfulness.
Aptly named Now, the shaggy white mare remains unflappable even as a bevy of panicked animals come rushing up to her. A family of rabbits is the first to dash into the meadow. “Fox is chasing us!” they cry. When Now presses them for details, they admit that they didn’t actually see Fox, just a flash of red. But it might be him. “Can you see him now?” the horse inquires. “At this moment, all is well,” she tells them. Then Hen and her chicks run over. “Help! There’s a swooping bird trying to catch my chicks! It might be Magpie!” “Look up,” responds Now. “Can you see a swooping bird?” When Hen responds no, Now repeats, “At this moment, all is well.” Though these animals have caught only a glimpse or a shadow, their minds spin wildly to fill in the rest. Now calmly brings them back to her namesake, the present moment. Most mindfulness primers are a list of directives; this tale has the slow-moving grace of a fable. Softly stroked greens, blues, and yellows show the serene side of nature. Besides being a centering presence, Now also imparts wisdom on the habit of jumping to conclusions and misjudging others.
A refreshingly inspired lesson on the importance of living in the moment.
(Picture book. 4-7)