The Three Little Yogis and the Wolf Who Lost His Breath: A Fairy Tale to Help You Feel Better (Feel-Good Fairy Tales #1)

PreS-Gr 3--Verde (I Am Yoga) writes again about mindfulness in a new picture book that incorporates yoga into a nimble fractured fairy tale about a big bad wolf who inexplicably loses his huff and his puff. The wolf knows his long-standing outbursts of anger are futile but still has a compulsion to demolish everything in his sight. He meets three piglet yogis in succession and is miffed that he can't blow down their homes. When the yogis notice the wolf's frustration, they serenely respond, "Let's meditate on that." They teach him belly breathing, cooling breath, and other methods that help him, even if temporarily, to calm down and relax. After practicing his exercises with all three yogis, the wolf decisively finds his breath through yoga and learns how to control his anger. Verde's narrative text is so inviting that readers will want to practice the wolf's yoga and breathing patterns. She includes additional breathing exercises and poses at the back of the book. Fleck (Tiny T. Rex) illustrates this new-age tale with expressive characters in his charming graphic style of simple shapes and lines. The sophisticated complementary palettes on the double-page spreads have a calming effect, with pleasurable shades of gold, earthy greens, and more bold orange reds. VERDICT Perfect to read one on one or in a group to help children (and adults) find their inner peace and power of breath.--Rita Christensen, Orem Public Library, UT