King Calm: Mindful Gorilla in the City - Hardcover

"Young Marvin helps his grandpa learn to stop and smell the roses, or rather, to stop and taste the bananas, in King Calm: Mindful Gorilla in the City, from pediatric psychologists Susan D. Sweet and Brenda Miles. Through the hustle and bustle of the crowded cityscape, Bryan Langdo's illustrations show Marvin using his senses to mindfully appreciate the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings that surround him, countering Grandpa's chest-banging, tower-climbing tendencies."--ForeWord Reviews

"Mindfulness is so important for kids in this day and age, many of whom are being raised in a world of instant gratification, abundance of everything, and constant stimulation coming from screens. Marvin and Grandpa's mindfulness journey is a well-told example of how to exist in the moment, observe your surroundings, and stay calm instead of just looking for the next distraction...Like many of Magination Press's books, King Calm is a fantastic primer for emotional health, written by people who know whereof they speak, and told in an accessible way for children."--Portland Book Review

"King Calm is a wonderful gateway for teaching mindfulness to children. The narrative manages to give explicit instructions on being mindful without being pedantic or dull."--Seattle Book Review

"Expressly recommended, especially for family, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children."--Midwest Book Review

"This lively and edifying children's book...makes a good case for mindfulness as a spiritual practice that brings alive our senses of tasting, seeing, feeling, smelling, and listening...Highly recommended!"--Spirituality & Practice

"I am pleased to see the growing number of books that encourage kids to slow down, pay attention to whatever they are doing in the moment, and notice the beautiful world around them. It is good to introduce mindfulness practice to children. Start at a young age, when they are open and eager to explore everything they see, smell, taste, touch, and hear."--Children's Books Heal

Susan D. Sweet, PhD, is a clinical child psychologist and mother of two. She has worked in hospital, school, and community-based settings and is passionate about children's mental health and well-being. Susan hopes worries never overshadow anyone's dreams. Dr. Sweet is the co-author of several books for children, including Jacqueline and the Beanstalk: A Tale of Facing Giant Fears, Princess Penelopea Hates Peas: A Tale of Picky Eating and Avoiding Catastropeas, King Calm: Mindful Gorilla in the City, Cinderstella: A Tale of Planets Not Princes, and Chicken or Egg: Who Comes First? Follow her on Facebook: @susansweet.authorpage and on Twitter: @susansweet2 Brenda S. Miles, PhD, is a pediatric neuropsychologist who has worked in hospital, rehabilitation, and school settings. She is an author and co-author of several books for children, including The Moment You Were Born: A Story for You and Your Premature Baby, Stickley Sticks to It!: A Frog's Guide to Getting Things Done, Chicken or Egg: Who Comes First? and Princess Penelopea Hates Peas: A Tale of Picky Eating and Avoiding Catastropeas. Brenda encourages children of all ages to dream big, find joy, and embrace adventure. Bryan Langdo is the author and/or illustrator of more than 30 books for children. His picture book Tornado Slim & the Magic Cowboy Hat (Two Lions, 2012) won a 2013 Spur Award for Storytelling from Western Writers of America. Bryan lives in Hopewell, New Jersey, with his wife and two children. Visit www.bryanlangdo.com and follow on Instagram: @bryanlangdo