Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, poet, scholar, and human rights activist. He lives in Plum Village, his meditation center and community in France. Every summer a family retreat is held and some 50 different nationalities are represented. Thich Nhat Hanh says of this get-together:

"I very much count on young people to learn things that are not taught at school, such as mindful breathing, mindful walking, learning how to look deeply, and learning how to take care of anger."

In this beautifully designed paperback with 30 full-color illustrations and an audio CD with songs and easy-to-follow practices, the parent, educator, or spiritual practitioner will find a treasure-trove of activities and fresh ideas on practicing mindfulness with children of all ages.

The benefits of practicing mindfulness with children, according to Thich Nhat Hanh, are increasing calm, lessening stress, improving impulse control, dealing with the emotions, becoming more empathetic, and learning natural conflict resolution skills. This paperback abounds with down-to-earth exercises, songs, games, and questions in chapters which encompass many aspects of the spiritual adventure. There is material on breathing, being free, strengthening connections to each other and to the earth, understanding and compassion, enjoying nature, embracing our suffering, healing difficulties, and how everything continues.

Some of our favorite spiritual practices for children here are Lazy Day, Pebble Meditation, Sending Wishes at the Start and End of Each Day, Hugging Meditation, The Two Promises Practice, Eating with Compassion, Asking Nature's Permission, Contentment, and Feeling Cards. Bows and gratitude to the inimitable Thich Nhat Hanh and the creative people at Plum Village for this incomparable resource for the liberation of the children!