Providing young students with strategies to deal with feelings and worries before they arise promotes positive mental well-being in the classroom. I Am a Peaceful Goldfish is an appealing and playful text to teach breathing exercises as a calm-down strategy for young children. The children in the story imitate objects around them to practise breathing in and out when they are feeling upset and having difficulty calming down. Practising self-regulation in this way supports the core competency of Personal Awareness and Responsibility. This text can be used to support Physical and Health Education by helping students identify practices and apply strategies that promote mental well-being. Teachers can use this story as a springboard for daily practice of calm-down strategies, and students can identify new objects to imitate as they breathe in and out.

40 pp., 8 × 10", colour illustrations

Source: Association of Book Publishers of BC - BC Books for Schools (2021-2022)

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As a young girl Lori Joy Smith’s weekly trips to the children’s library with her father sparked her love of reading and children’s books. As a teenager she lived in Italy and visited some of the most beautiful museums in Europe, which left her wanting nothing more than to make art. Now she gets to put these two loves together everyday working as an artist and illustrator. She lives in Belfast, PEI with her husband, 2 girls, 3 cats, 2 bunnies, 1 dog, 2 sheep and 3 chickens. She loves making art, walking in the forest, watching the stars, drinking coffee, growing flowers and most of all reading to her own girls every night before they go to sleep. Visit her website at lorijoysmith.com

Lori Joy Smith's profile page

“A playful way to introduce meditation to young readers who find themselves in stressful situations.”
—Globe and Mail

“Toddlers, children, even adults can take a cue from the relaxed cat and other critters and objects that appear in this sweet book when strong emotions overwhelm us ... A great resource for parents and educators for teaching calming practices.”
—School Library Journal

“A soothing, logical, and playful introduction to mindfulness for young listeners.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Engaging, brightly colored illustrations ... [two kids] attempt to imitate [goldfish] by inhaling slow, deep breaths and then letting them out ... eventually, end[ing] up with their hands clasped in front of their hearts, marveling at how serene they feel.”
—Booklist

“I Am a Peaceful Goldfish is a helpful aid for teaching the calm down strategy and in a way that is engaging.”
—Canadian Review of Materials