*Highlighting up and coming illustrators and authors from independent publishing houses and self-publishers*

Please reach out to MaiStoryBook through Instagram, FB, or by commenting on my blog, and *share or tag* books, authors, or illustrators who would fit into this category of independent/self-publishing! I’m excited for the wonders we will find!

Now without further ado~

Featuring this week’s children stories of Mindfulness and Caring for the Earth:

The Magical Mindful Day by Deborah Salazar Shapiro, Illustrated by Shapiro and Addison Stonestreet

Self-Published on Paper from Responsible Sources

*Just take a deep, earthy breath, and you can feel your connection with the earth again~* Mindfulness~ a quality that in this day and age, with the saturation of technology and fast-paced lifestyle, is especially rare for little ones to develop. But, with exposure, modeling, and experience, children can learn the inner peace of awareness and acceptance. One incredible resource to help on this journey of mindfulness~ *The Magical Mindful Day* ~ a children’s book that will inspire little one’s to slow down and appreciate the wonders of the earth and life. Written by a therapist and Mindfulness Coach, the book also includes resources and ideas about how to invite children to explore mindfulness and appreciation for the earth~ from activities to teach gratitude and loving-friendliness, to practicing conservation and even including an original song to encourage *Awareness* , this book is the perfect tool to encourage little ones to pay attention to the sensations going on inside and outside of us at each given moment.

Follow Gabby and Baba as they journey with the mysterious cat, Oreo, who introduces them to the practices of mindfulness. The large, wide spread pages are filled with illustrations of the flourishing, beautiful earth and helpful words of wisdom for self-discovery~  children are encouraged to pause and  notice the present moment, care about the environment, and protect the earth and all its creatures. From taking a moment to consider sources and the environmental impact of the food we eat, to how our waste and lifestyle effects the wildlife around us, to pausing to take deep breaths and focusing on the earth below us, the sounds around us, and the sensations that surround us~ little ones learn how being mindful is connected to caring for our planet.

A bit more about the Author: Deborah Salazar Shapiro

Deborah Salazar Shapiro is a psychotherapist, artist, author, and mindfulness teacher. She has been working with children and families for over 15 years. She completed training as a Mindfulness Facilitator at the University of California Los Angeles Semel Institute for Neuroscience and is an instructor of  Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction courses. Deborah has studied meditation with various Buddhist teachers for a decade in both the U.S. and Myanmar. She has her MA in social work from USC and a MA in psychology from El Salvador. Deborah currently lives in San Diego with her husband, two daughters, and cat. To learn more, check out her website: www.TheMagicalMindfulDay.com and follow her on Instagram: @deborahsalazarshapiro

Check here to find this book for your own home library!

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Happy Birthday Tulip & Violet! by Antoinetta McKay, Illustrated by Jenny Brewer

Published by The Green Family Book: an imprint of I Follow the Leader, LLC

Meet the *Green Family*~ a family dedicated to caring for the Earth and conserving it’s resources. The Twins, Tulip and Violet, the youngest members of the family, are just about to turn 3~ and their birthday falls on a very special day~ Earth Day! What better way to celebrate than to give back to the Earth with family and friends~* Follow the Green Family as they embark on their annual Earth Day Project. This year, they are planting trees and flowers out in the wild! After a day of volunteering, it is time to prepare for birthday festivities complete with celebration cupcakes and party dresses~ it’s a day to celebrate not only the twins~ but the beautiful earth that is their home!

Throughout the story are speckled suggestions for how to be ecofriendly~ from recycling, to conserving water and gas, children will see how they can help the Earth and save its resources through their daily activities~ turn off the water when brushing teeth, keep a recycling bin, drive short distances or walk when possible~ these simple routines can easily be integrated into daily life. Plus, the colorful birthday celebration at the end associates caring for the earth with joy and new life. After all, Earth Day is like celebrating the Earth’s Birthday! This is the perfect read aloud to prep for your now Happy Birthday Earth Party! *Bonus* ~ at the end of the book is an Activity Page full with engaging ideas to reinforce treasuring the Earth and its resources! Children will love the idea of a treehouse photo shoot or nature scavenger hunt. Check out the book for more earth-friendly-fun ideas!

A bit more about the Author: Antoinetta McKay