King Calm: Mindful Gorilla in the City
By Susan D. Sweet and Brenda S. Miles, Authors
Bryan Langdo, Illustrator
Magination Press, Fiction, Oct. 17, 2016
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Distractions, Slowing down, Paying attention to the present moment, Mindfulness
Opening: In a Great Big City, there lived a gorilla named Marvin. Marvin wasn’t like other gorillas. He didn’t stomp his feet, he never wanted to fight, and he never pounded his chest with a thump thump roar!
Book Synopsis: Meet Marvin. He’s a gorilla living in a Great Big City. He is peaceful and composed and enjoys every minute of his day. He doesn’t approach life with a thump thump roar. Instead Marvin experiences the world mindfully through his senses. He’s the King of Calm.
Why I like this book:
The authors have written an engaging and entertaining book about Marvin, who is a calm and gentle character who notices things other people miss because they are distracted or too busy to care. When Marvin slowly eats his banana he notices the bright yellow outside and the sweet ripe inside. His grandfather doesn’t understand Marvin because he’s impatient with life, gobbles his food and is ready to move on to their next activity. While Marvin is very observant, Grandpa never really takes a moment to stop to enjoy his surroundings until…
I am pleased to see the growing number of books that encourage kids to slow down, pay attention to whatever they are doing in the moment, and notice the beautiful world around them. It is good to introduce mindfulness practice to children. Start at a young age, when they are open and eager to explore everything they see, smell, taste, touch, and hear.
Bryan Langdo’s illustrations are colorful, lively, diverse and expressive. Children will enjoy studying the detail on each page. As parents and teachers read this book to children, the illustrations are a great place to ask questions. What are the people at the fountain doing and does anyone notice its beauty except Marvin? What happens to the other people in the illustrations when they are distracted in the city scene? How do they react? Are they calm or reactive?
Resources: The book includes a Reader’s Note filled with information about learning to pay attention to your life through your senses by living mindfully. Start by paying attention to what you are eating rather than gobbling it down. Be more observant when you take a walk and notice the smells in the air, the cloud formations, or look into a stream. Is it a cool or sticky day? Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you. What do you hear? Sit on a bench and observe. How do you feel?
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
This looks like a lovely book. I can always use more calm in my day.
LikeLike
I am delighted to see more books for kids about learning mindfulness. Start early and it will become a lifelong part of their lives.
LikeLike
This book would be good for many adults as well.
LikeLike
Yes, it would. I know it is something I try to practice. But, if we teach kids at a young age, it may have a better chance of becoming part of who they are. We are so busy and we need to slow down!
LikeLike
I’m ordering this one!
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed King Calm. Great to teach kids, who learn very quickly. But, even more important for parents/adults who set an example.
LikeLike
Pat, Slowing down and appreciating what’s around us is a lesson we can all learn. Sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for reviewing it.
LikeLike
I agree, adults could benefit. Our lives are so busy and it is easy to get lost in thought when we walk or do something we enjoy, that we miss the beauty around us.
LikeLike
Great title! I think children need mindfulness prompts or meditation exercise more than ever now, often just to deal with the adults in their lives!
LikeLike
Yes, I like the title and so will kids. LOL, you may be right. Mindfulness may help kids deal with the multi-tasking adults in their lives. Hadn’t thought about that! Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the idea that the young one is mindful ….. because they do notice everything and us adults need to get back to some of that wonder! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Yes, kids to notice everything and have a sense of wonder about their world. It’s important to nurture that wonder and mindfulness throughout their lives.
LikeLike
What a marvelous book to help children slow down and see. I was often amazed at how much my daughter noticed on our nature walks when she was much younger. I’m looking forward to reading this book.
LikeLike
I think it is natural for children to observe and be mindful. The key is to keep the wonder alive. I think more adults are interested in learning to slow themselves down and be more mindful and present.
LikeLike
This sounds like an interesting book. I enjoy all your comments especially as I write for children. I have a short story about the boy who gave Jesus the loaves and fish. I imagined his name and home situation which made him arrive late to hear Jesus (called Yeshua)A critique suggested an older storybook development and now I am wondering about it. I have written 14 books but this is so different.
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting and commenting. I’m pleased you enjoyed the review. You certainly have led a full life. You have an interesting website.
LikeLike
I’m with you. Children’s lives seem to be getting more hectic all the time. If they can be allowed to slow down and let in some mindfulness, that would be a good thing.
LikeLike
Don’t you think that because children are so full of wonder, it makes it so much easier to teach them mindfulness? We need to be like children and remember the joys in our life — starting with our own joyful childhood memories. It is something I practice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Children are usually in the present moment – if we let them be! It’s a wonderful way for us to be too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Zen Picture Books to Teach Kids Mindfulness
Pingback: Bibliotherapy Spotlight: King Calm | Expressive Social Worker
I like that it is the GRANDFATHER that is hasty – it shows kids that you don’t always need to follow your elders, manner-wise. 🙂 Great review! 🙂
LikeLike
I do too, Erik. Children are much more observant and filled with wonder than adults!
LikeLike
This is a wonderful book that should not only be read in classrooms but discussed, too. Slowing down and being mindful are valuable lessons.
LikeLike
This is a fun book on mindfulness. I love the increasing number of books focused on mindfulness, yoga etc. for children. Teach them young!
LikeLike
Perfect book for the current trend to schedule every moment of our lives. Love the title pun off King Kong. Looking forward to reading this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This book is a lot of fun! I love there are many more books available to children about mindfulness and learning to live in the moment — which many children do naturally. Just need to keep it going.
LikeLike
This book is a lot of fun! I love there are many more books available to children about mindfulness and learning to live in the moment — which many children do naturally. Just need to keep it going.
LikeLike