This is a simple and heart-warming story that is meant to teach children the importance of friendship, kindness, and overcoming self-doubt and fear using the power of breathing and positive affirmations. It is meant to be an age-appropriate and child-friendly solution to help young children learn some basic mindfulness principles at an early age, to help them become easy-going, well-rounded, and well-balanced individuals who are kind and generous citizens within their communities.

The story follows Sammy, a six-year-old, on his first day of school. He is nervous in the beginning, and we see his mother help calm him by using some simple breathing and giving him a positive affirmation to recite. We then see Sammy take his newly learned skill to school and use it to make new friends through acts of generosity and kindness, and by sharing his affirmation with others.

Themes and ideas/messages explored:

-Identifying and understanding your feelings, and expressing them healthily

-Being fair-minded and compassionate to others

-Embracing individuality and being yourself

-Being respectful and understanding of the other's differences

-Practicing simple, mindful breathing

-Using positive words and affirmations to develop a positive outlook on yourself and others

-Being helpful to others by sharing your knowledge and tools with them.

Our intention with this children’s book is to give children a good introductory foundation of mindfulness and basic self-care. We hope that this book will engage kids and parents in meaningful conversation about ways that we can all be kinder, more compassionate citizens, and how we can use mindfulness principles such as deep breathing and positive affirmations to become more centered, confident, optimistic, and productive members of society. We hope that the things we teach in the book will be meaningful to you and the children in your families and communities, and we wish you the best in your health and fitness journeys.