I AM A COURAGEOUS CUB

Chaim suggests stretches, movements, and poses that children can do when confronted with challenges.

A little frog stands on the ladder of a slide looking nervous (“Sometimes things feel so hard”). Two nearby children—one brown-skinned, one light-skinned—chime in: “I wish I felt brave inside.” “Me too!” One has an idea: “I’m wrapping my arms around myself.” The child feels tranquil and brave, like a lion cub. The little ones continue to try different body positions and movements that channel everything from the motion of a train to the strength of a mountain. After these activities, they feel ready to tackle the tall slide. A note from the author offers “courageous cubs” encouragement and validation. In simple illustrations, both children—and the frog—demonstrate the poses and movements, an easy way for readers to see and practice the moves themselves. Each following page shows what the youngsters imagine themselves to be and how they feel, whether full of energy like bouncy balls or “happy and bright, like a shooting star!” The activities are straightforward enough that kids should be able to imitate them easily and aren’t specific to a practice like yoga (though some motions seem to take their cues from the practice). This is a meaningful introduction to a mind-body connection for children in terms they can easily understand.

An affirming and practical guide.