(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sara Woolley. Charlotte longs for quiet, but "children...yammer" and "jackhammers blast." Onomatopoeia and jagged bursts of color represent the unrelenting noise. When Charlotte providently (and with unlikely efficiency) discovers internal quiet through mindfulness, cool colors and rounded shapes reflect that relief. The overall joyful visual depiction of a crowded city neighborhood balances Charlotte's stress. While lacking in narrative and character, the book introduces mindfulness effectively.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica McClure. A Buddhist monk calmly answers myriad questions that "real children" have asked him: "What is mindfulness?" "How can I control my temper?" "Why do kids watch TV?" The responses are astute, insightful, kid-friendly, and, as promised, Zen-infused--making Buddhist principles approachable and relevant for children of any background. It's a shame McClure wasn't more mindful and subtle with her overly chipper animal illustrations.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christiane Krömer. After five-year-old Anh gets frustrated, cries, and scatters his blocks, Grandfather sends him to his room. There Anh meets a hairy, red-faced creature: his anger. Together, they howl and pound the floor. But after Anh sits still and breathes, his anger disappears. Based on Thich Nhat Hanh's Buddhist teachings, this time-out story's text is occasionally stiff, but the textured collages are expressive and striking.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey