Downward Dog with Diego, by Pamela Prichett (Apr. 2-16, Blue Apple Books), $14.99, ISBN: 9781609055288
Recommended for ages 3-6
Diego’s a little boy who’s learning yoga, and he’s inviting you to learn with him by following the animals! Stretch like a cat; crouch like a frog; bow down like a dog; balance like a bear; lie down like a crocodile; curl up like a rabbit; stand like a cow; rise like a cobra; roar like a lion, and flutter like a butterfly – the pictures show you how.
This is a great introduction to yoga for toddlers and preschoolers. The bold, bright colors are eye-catching, and the images of animals used in yoga, paired with Diego, posing inside the animal’s outline, illustrates how the pose relates to the animal and makes it easier for kids to recreate the pose on their own. Rhyming text and alternating spreads introducing the action and animal, then revealing the pose with its description on the next page, give readers a sense of excitement as they wait for each pose to be revealed. Bold text that travels across the page adds to the fluid movement of the book and makes for a fun read aloud or read-alone. A spread at the end of the book depicts poses with names, outlines of a person doing the pose, and the benefits of each pose.
This is a visually interesting book that will keep audiences interested. Go through a read-aloud twice: read through the book once, and then move through the series a second time! I’ve been adding more yoga books to my picture book collection after having a great yoga storytime this past weekend; I can’t wait to read this one with my toddlers and see how they enjoy it (my review copy was digital). Kids love recreating animal poses, and books like You Are a Lion! And Other Fun Yoga Poses, plus videos like Yoga Kids, speak to this by concentrating on animal poses and facial expressions. Learning animals sounds is one of the first things we teach our kids, so it’s a great way to continue learning about animals, while giving them the benefit of exercise and the calming practice of yoga. A fun addition to your fitness and storytime collections.
Mom Read It 