Encourage present moment thinking with great stories!
The books below are captivating, plus they offer nuanced examples of mindfulness and gratitude in action.
Talk about the issue.
Take a moment to notice five new things about the person next to you.
Think quietly about your day for four deep breaths. What are you thankful for?
Find a peaceful place to sit or walk slowly in nature. Then share observations using all five of your senses (something you see - something you smell - something you feel - something you taste - something you hear).
When do you find it most difficult to be mindful or fully able to notice the present moment?
When do you find it easiest to be mindful?
Featured Title
Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
"Thing is, the sun is always in the sky - it just gets hidden sometimes." This hopeful, heartwarming story features a young girl who lives on Cape Cod and her summer of discovery. She must learn to deal with broken friendships, the truth about her mother, the angry new boy, and what it means to be part of an untraditional family.
More DGT Favorites
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Readers of all ages will fall in love with Minli's journey to find the Old Man in the Moon in an effort to change her family's fortune. Richly layered with Chinese Folktales, the book is a feast for the imagination, and its message of friendship and gratitude will inspire many thoughtful conversations.
Just Breathe: Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement, and More by Malika Chopra
Wellness expert Mallika Chopra reaches out to kids ages 8 to 12 with this book is full of specific exercises to help deal with day-to-day challenges. Accessible and fun, with lots of illustrations, this is a mindfulness tool kids will enjoy coming back to when they need it.
The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards
In this unusual, fantastical classic, readers are reminded time and again to notice. Paying close attention to the sights, sounds, and textures of the present is the only way to enter Whangdoodleland. Attention also happens to be the key to mindfulness. This book is a fun accompaniment to any mindfulness practice.
I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Caitlin Alifirenka, Martin Ganda, and Liz Welch
In this unique non-fiction story, Caitlin, an upper-middle-class Ohio teen, is assigned a pen pal from Africa. When she and Martin first begin writing to each other, she doesn’t even know where Zimbabwe is. The two ultimately become best friends, and better people, and inspire readers to ask big questions about their place in the world.
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
What would it feel like to to be extremely intelligent, aware of everything, but unable to express anything? Ten-year-old Melody is trapped in a body that won't respond to her demands. With gentleness and surprising humor, this book brings readers along on Melody's courageous journey to middle school and past the limits of her cerebral palsy. Melody's story will help readers pay attention to the needs and experiences of others regardless of apparent abilities and surface experiences.
The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcárcel
In this beautiful coming of age story, Quijana's journey to understand herself better and how she fits between two cultures is both fresh and relatable to readers of all backgrounds. Readers will learn alongside Quijana how thankful we all are for friends and family.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
Another thoughtful story about an isolated girl, this tale will challenge us all to notice the ways in which our fears and discomforts limit what we do. Rose Howard's heroic effort to do the right thing for her beloved dog Rain will inspire us all to pay attention to the gifts around us and within us.
Rufus M. by Eleanor Estes
Even though his family doesn’t have much, Rufus always finds ways to overcome any obstacles he faces. This classic from the 40s is sure to charm, and to inspire a conversation about appreciating what you have to make the best of difficult situations.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Four brilliant children are selected to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened to solve a series of puzzles and riddles. This adventure is only the beginning of a mind-bending series of books sure to test and sharpen your powers of observation.
The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller
Join Natalie as she embarks on a science project with the hope of healing her mother’s depression. This tender subject is treated with heart and hope, and readers will fall in love with Natalie and her friends as they discover that talking about problems is the only way to shrink them.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
This phenomenal Newbery Book Award winner is inspiring and empowering on so many levels. Read with an eye toward mindfulness, the poems in this fictionalized memoir magnify small, personal moments in the politically tumultuous 60s and 70s.
Wonder and Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories by R. J. Palacio
The story of Auggie Pullman captured the attention of the world when it was first published in 2012. Auggie's unusual face and charming personality inspire an entire community to discuss what compassion, empathy, and kindness mean in practice. Throughout the story, readers will have an opportunity to discuss gratitude for good friends, encouraging family members, a supportive school community, and the kindness of teachers.
Back to Read Together for more book lists.
Disclaimer: Doing Good Together™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.