Skip to content
Pragmatic Mom
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • KidLit Blogroll
  • My Book Lists
    • My List of Lists
    • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
    • #OwnVoices
    • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids
    • Asian American Children’s Books
    • African American Children’s Books
    • Arab American Children’s Books
    • Latinx American Children’s Books
    • Native American Children’s Books
    • LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
    • Diverse Books for Kids
    • Best Books for Kids
  • Education
    • STEM/STEAM
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Art Projects for Kids
    • Applying to Art School
    • Applying to College
    • Book Club for Kids
    • 70+ Free Educational Games
  • Controversial
    • Sexual Misconduct in Children’s Book Publishing #MeToo #TimesUp
    • Rethinking & Examining Dr. Seuss’ Racism
    • Blood Feud over YA #BloodHeir
    • Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act – What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
  • My Books
    • My Book Announcements
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Carter G. Woodson Book Award Honoree!
    • We Sing From the Heart makes Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year 2025!
    • The Traveling Taco on Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025!
    • The Traveling Taco featured in Booklist
    • Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO
    • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …}
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction!
    • Cover Reveal of my latest picture book … FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
    • Picture Book Announcement! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • Book Announcement! Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist
    • Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO
    • We Sing From the Heart is a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner!
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART wins California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
    • Dorktales Podcast: Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
    • Food for the Future Wins Nautilus Silver Book Award
    • Food for the Future makes Mass Book Award Long List!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Makes Green Earth Book Award Long List!
    • Food for the Future is a finalist for 2023 INDIES Book of the Year!
    • New! Food for the Future Activity and Discussion Guide!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!
    • ‘Food for the Future’ selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best books
    • Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!
    • Starred Review for FOOD FOR THE FUTURE from School Library Journal!
    • Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
    • How To Coach Girls wins Silver Award!
    • Posts on My Books
  • My Book Events
    • My Book Events
Menu
Zen Picture Books to Teach Kids Mindfulness

16 Zen Picture Books about Mindfulness

Posted on December 29, 2011May 28, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

A picture book that my youngest enjoys that also gives something back to me is a joy indeed. These books have a Zen philosophy twist that will leave the adult pondering the meaning, often for days afterward, while our little ones happily move on to the next book or other activities unburdened with questions ruminating in their brains from these books.

I actually got the idea for this list while in a Board of Directors meeting when the CEO quoted a parable from Jon Muth’s Zen Shorts. At first, I thought he was referring to the ancient Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu that I knew he briefly studied in college. But no, it was this book that he had read to his little boy for a bedtime story. The story of Good Luck versus Bad Luck really stuck to him as it did to me too when I first read it.

There is something special about each of these books beyond an award-winning author/illustrator or just an enjoyable story. Some of the books bid us to stop and smell the roses; others make us ask ourselves what really IS important in life. As my career coach often tells me when I am complaining, “Is there another way to view this? Can you see this thing that you are complaining about as a gift?!” Please enjoy these ten small gifts of stories. These are gifts that keep on giving.

16 Zen Picture Books about Mindfulness

10. The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown

My son’s preschool assistant teacher adored this book and so when she retired, a copy was given to her. She loved this old-fashioned book because its message to her was that everything around you is important, especially you, the preschooler. And to stop and smell the flowers. And that is a very important message. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

The Important Book
by Margaret Wise Brown and Leonard Weisgard

9. Frederick by Leo Lionni

This was not my children’s favorite Leo Lionni book; they loved Swimmy and just about any of his stories involving rabbits. Frederick, however, was my personal favorite. I loved that Frederick is a dreamer and poet and that he did his fair share of work in a different kind of way — emotionally not physically. When the mice gather up supplies for winter, Frederick gathers up words and images which the other mice view as “goofing off.” But the supplies run low towards the end of the winter and Frederick is called upon for his contribution, his images and words warm the mice such that they declare him a poet. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

8. Maybe: A Little Zen for Your Little One by Sanjay Nambiar

If you like the Zen Shorts fable “Good Luck/Bad Luck” which is my favorite adult-pondering-zen story of all time, but you don’t think that your child will relate to this story, then Maybe might be for you. It’s the same story but set in an elementary school (or preschool) setting with an updated twist switched up from wild horse to bicycle. What might be read as unrealistic is the girl who is wise beyond her years, responding to each setback or gift with the single word, “Maybe.” Still, it puts a little zen into modern life which perhaps might make children rethink their luck, both good and bad. The book is $16 but the lesson is priceless! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Maybe: A Little Zen for Your Little One by Sanjay Nambiar

7. Rachel’s Day in the Garden by Giselle Shardlow, illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla

Join Rachel as she and her adorable puppy look for signs of spring in the garden. Crawl like a caterpillar, buzz like a bee, and flutter like a butterfly. Discover spring, explore movement, and learn the colors of the rainbow! [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Rachel's Day in the Garden

6. Stone Soup by Jon Muth

This is a Zen twist on the Stone Soup story. Three wise Buddhist monks happen upon a village where its people are suspicious of everyone and only take care of themselves. In making stone soup and for the community by sharing what they have, the villagers learn that happiness is as simple as soup from a stone. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Stone Soup by Jon Muth

5. It was so quiet I could hear a pin drop by Andy Goodman

It’s not easy to find mindfulness picture books for kids, but slowing down is so good for them. Why not start a simple meditation practice by using this book? Just read along and have them focus on listening to the sounds around them. The very quiet ones and the loud ones too.  [picture book, ages 2 and up]

It was so quiet I could hear a pin drop by Andy Goodman

4. The Greatest Power by Demi

In this sequel to The Empty Pot, Ping is now emperor, and is contemplating what is the greatest power, saying that “A wise person must be able to see the unseen and know the unknown.”  He calls for a parade for each person to show him what they think the greatest power is. Could it be money, technology, beauty, or WHAT? Sing has the answer with a lotus seed that she breaks in half:  “The nothing in this seed is the space in between where life exists.” The circle of life is her answer. Demi’s illustrations, as always, are so gorgeous. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

3. The Three Questions by Jon Muth based on a story by Leo Tolstoy

Nikolai asks himself three questions about how to be a good person but doesn’t have the answers: What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? His animal friends have answers for him, but still, he’s not sure. He asks Leo the Turtle because he’s an ancient creature. In helping Leo with his garden, Nikolai learns the answers he’s been seeking. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Three Questions by Jon Muth

2. Seven Fathers retold by Ashley Ramsden, illustrations by Ed Young

This fable is gorgeously and perfectly illustrated to this story that isn’t what it seems. On the surface, a traveler is seeking shelter from a snowstorm and it would seem that he might die if he doesn’t find it. He happens upon a house in the distance and must ask seven generations of fathers for permission to take shelter in their home. Each father is more ancient than the last; the final father is just a speck of dust. They grant him permission and a magical feast appears plus the fathers transform into the age and size of the traveler. They present their crowns to him and then he goes off to sleep. What happens next? We don’t know. That’s the Big Question!

On the one hand, this COULD be the story of the afterlife and the traveler doesn’t make it after all. The speck of dust could indicate the circle of life.

My little son took the story at face value of just a magical adventure and he liked it very much. As the reader, I enjoyed how the illustrations conveyed the ambiguity of the story perfectly as well as set the tone of the book. And I’m still pondering what happens next. Another interpretation is that because the traveler was so polite and sought out permission seven times despite his exhaustion that he was rewarded at the end with the feast (and maybe the Seven Fathers are magical) and this is some kind of test. We just don’t know the ending. That’s maddening but also it is what makes this book so interesting! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Seven Fathers, Ed Young, zen books for kids, picture books,

1. Zen Shorts by Jon  Muth

This book came up in a business meeting I was in when the CEO was asked about how a particular business unit was performing. He likened the zig-zag path the unit had taken by telling the story of “Good Luck, Bad Luck” which is the second story in the book. This is to say that sometimes good luck turns out to be bad, and vice versa. You can’t really tell what kind of luck you have since something that appears lucky may have negative repercussions down the line and vice versa. It turns out that he had read this book to his young son and the story stuck with him. I find that I think about this story a lot, too and who knew that children’s lit would be applicable in a boardroom?! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Zen Shorts by Jon  Muth

Zen Ties (A Stillwater and Friends Book)
by Jon J Muth

Zen Socks (A Stillwater and Friends Book)
by Jon J Muth

 

Honorable Mention Mindfulness Picture Books

Kaya’s Heart Song by Diwa Tharan Sanders and Nerina Canzi

Kaya learns from her mother how to quiet her mind so that she can hear the music inside of her. This is her heart song. When she frees the carved elephants on the carousel of the vines, this is also a metaphor for freeing her mind of clutter. Does the ride really go, or is this her heart song? [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Kaya's Heart Song by Diwa Tharan Sanders

King Calm: Mindful Gorilla in the City by Susan D. Sweet and Brenda S. Miles

Review from Children’s Books Heal:

The authors have written an engaging and entertaining book about Marvin, who is a calm and gentle character who notices things other people miss because they are distracted or too busy to care. When Marvin slowly eats his banana he notices the bright yellow outside and the sweet ripe inside. His grandfather doesn’t understand Marvin because he’s impatient with life, gobbles his food, and is ready to move on to their next activity. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

King Calm: Mindful Gorilla in the City

Yawning Yoga by Laurie Jordan, illustrated by Diana Mayo

Use this picture book to teach kids calming yoga poses. It has rhymes to describe each pose and detailed illustrations of how to get into the pose. Yoga unifies the movement of the body with the mind and spirit. These gentle poses also help kids wind down. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Yawning Yoga
by Laurie Jordan and Diana Mayo

A Morning with Grandpa by Sylvia Liu, illustrated by Christina Forshay

It’s a grandfather and granddaughter day! Mei Mei and her grandfather teach each other mindfulness exercises. Mei Mei shows her Gong Gong yoga and he teaches her tai chi. This charming picture book shows the loving bond of an intergenerational Chinese American family and the passing of different cultures from one generation to another and back again. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

A Morning with Grandpa by Sylvia Liu and Christina Forshay

 

p.s. Related posts:

Yoga for Kids

Great Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Exercise

Yoga for Kids: Rachel’s Day in the Garden

Picture Books about Curiosity

Our Family Yoga Class

Yoga for Kids Bedtime Picture Book of the Day

Exercise Motivation to YogaBox

Mom Yoga Retreat: Getting Centered and Finding Happiness

 

Zen Picture Books to Teach Kids Mindfulness

 

To examine any of the items listed, please click on image of item.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Massachusetts Book Award Long List
  • Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
  • Starred review from School Library Journal
  • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  • Green Earth Book Award Long List
  • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

cover for Sumo JoeChanging the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison FoleyAsian Pacific American Heroes

11 thoughts on “16 Zen Picture Books about Mindfulness”

  1. Alison says:
    June 30, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    Wow, these all look so great and make for diverse topics to share with kids! I can’t wait to find the right time to share them with my nieces. Thanks for writing about these…

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 2, 2011 at 8:23 pm

      To Alison,
      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Marjorie (PaperTigers) says:
    October 11, 2011 at 9:12 am

    This is a great list, thank you – some I know (and concur on!)and some I don’t.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      October 15, 2011 at 9:06 am

      To Marjorie of Paper Tigers,
      Thank you so much for your comment. Your blog is so wonderful. I get a lot of ideas for books from it! Thank you!!

      Reply
  3. Ann says:
    December 29, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    Great List – just made some library requests (Ming Lo Moves the Mountain – fan of Frog and Toad & Seven Fathers); My daughter loves Fredrick – she is kind of a Fredrick ; ) My favorite Leo Lionni is Let’s Make Rabbits – do you know that one? LOVE Stone Soup too – so clever, I love all things clever!!! THANKS!!!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 30, 2011 at 9:55 am

      To Ann,
      No, I have this giant Leo Lionni book compilation too and I’ve still never read the rabbit one. Only the rabbit story where they jump into their friend, the snake’s, mouth to stay safe. I will have to find that book. Thank you!!

      I love Fredrick too. I will add your picks to the list. Thanks!!!!!

      Reply
  4. Motivational Short Stories by Fable Fantasy says:
    June 21, 2013 at 1:50 am

    Wonderful books! We can read wisdom in fun way.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      June 21, 2013 at 7:42 am

      Thanks Moviational Short Stories,
      Yes, love wisdom in a small package that is also beautifully illustrated! Makes it easy to appreciate!

      Reply
  5. Jenessa Mullen says:
    February 14, 2017 at 10:14 pm

    There are some great books here! My eight year old daughter has started learning about meditation in class so I think some of these will interest her. We will have to make a trip to our local library. Thanks for sharing. #MMBH

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 7, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      Thanks so much Jenessa! I’ve been reading about mindfulness in the classroom and the research is so positive about how it affects kids. It significantly reduces kids getting in trouble, for instance. My son is learning to meditate for his concussion headache pain; it’s helpful for that too. I came to mindfulness via yoga.

      Reply
  6. Julie says:
    July 23, 2019 at 8:37 am

    I have also written a children’s book about mindfulness based on the Zen philosophy of being happy now! It’s called The Land Of When and teaches children to not wait for ‘when’ to be happy. I’d love to send you a copy! A really wonderful selection you have here ❤️

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something? Search here.

I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog excessively about diverse children’s books (picture books through middle grade). I am also the co-founder of Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan 25, 2024, our 11th year!

I’d love to chat with you. Let’s connect! PragmaticMomBlog (at) gmail (dot) com or through my social media handles.

Free Blog Updates in your Inbox (RSS feed)

Monthly Newsletter with Subscriber Only Giveaways in your Inbox

My Linktree (click for my links & socials)

my linktree

My Websites

  • How To Coach Girls
  • I Love Newton
  • Mia Wenjen (My New Author Website)

Camp Cody: Overnight Camp in New Hampshire

Read Your World LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch!

https://www.pragmaticmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Read-Your-World-FINAL-Merchandise-Video.mp4

Purchase Read Your World Merch

LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch.

Buy it here!

Search Amazon

Find Children's Books

Newton Children’s Book Festival 2025

Newton Children's Book Festival 2025

Get My Books Signed or Inscribed through my shop (click to purchase)

Mia Wenjen signed books

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (click to purchase)

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

We Sing From the Heart (click to pre-order)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

SUMO JOE (click to purchase)

Sumo Joe cover reveal

Asian Pacific American Heroes (click to purchase)

Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures // I have 3 haiku poems (click to purchase)

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures 3 haiku by Mia Wenjen
Read Your World is Multicultural Children's Book Day

ClothingRIC- A Premium Coupon Website!

ThingsFromMars- The Wondrous World of Wacky Gift Products!

How to Get Kids Reading

  • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
  • Getting Kids to Love Reading
  • Summer Reading Lists for Kids By Grade
  • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids

Heim Nest Kid Mattress Exclusive Deal

Heim Nest Kid Mattress

AdvancedWriters.com is an expert writing service which helps students with academic writing.

educational toys

CEX.IO is a versatile crypto exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as access resources and tools to learn how to trade effectively.

MyPaperDone.com
is surely one of the best when it comes to paper writing assistance.

My Custom Essay
will guide you through academic life.

Essay Writing Services

If you ask "write my essay", Topessaywriting can help you with paper writing

TranslationReport can help you to choose the best translation service

If you are looking for the most trusted essay writing service, check this article about best essay writing service reviews at Econotimes

educational toys from dhgate stores

Assignment Writing Services Offer Assignment Assistance In UK Based Company 50% Discount Students

Playing at online casinos can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can find the best options at casinoszondercruksonline.com. 

For those seeking a safe and reputable gambling experience, the Meest betrouwbare buitenlandse casino lijst is an invaluable resource.

Archives

Categories

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship (click to purchase)

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

HOW TO COACH GIRLS (click to purchase)

How To Coach Girls silver award winner

Archives

I’ll be sharing WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

HOW TO COACH GIRLS book trailer by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley

https://youtu.be/j74M0bBxrGg

Recent Posts

  • Changing the Game’s 4th Birthday & 4 Signed Book GIVEAWAY! July 7, 2025
  • Battle of Lexington and Concord: America 250 July 4, 2025
  • WONDER WHY by Lisa Varchol Perron Book Event July 2, 2025
  • 10 STEM Picture Books about Planet Earth & GIVEAWAY! June 30, 2025
  • Thank you to Canvas Rebel for Featuring Me June 27, 2025

Categories

© 2025 Pragmatic Mom | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT