Joy: A Celebration of Mindfulness

This simple board book by Kate Wilson is enormously helpful in reminding me (not to mention my toddler) to give thanks in all areas of life. Through asking the readers to “find joy” in many repetitive, daily tasks, the book urges us to be present to the beauty, the “newness” of the mundane. The text is simple and to-the-point, so rather than writing a paragraph summary, here’s the text itself:

Content: 4.5/5

I love the different ways the text encourages its readers toward thankfulness. We are encouraged to find joy in touch and physical affection (joy in snuggles); in hard work and serving others (joy in caring), in silence and lack of activity (joy in quiet); in simple pleasures like eating (joy in mealtime), and even in the possibly annoying tasks that one might normally want to skip or avoid (joy in bath time, quiet time, and bedtime). While the text doesn’t hit on every area of our lived experience, these areas—work, eating, helping, laughing, reading/leisure and rest–encapsulate most of life. If I were to have written the book, I may have added the following categories: joy in movement, joy in listening, joy in creating, joy in learning, and joy in waiting.

Style: 4/5

Although the text is simple, its simplicity serves to help the reader use his/her imagination to apply the heart of the text to his/her own life. The repetition also mimics the often-repetitive nature of our days, encouraging us to find joy even in the predictable and routine.

Design: 4/5

The story’s setting is on a farm and all the illustrations show pastoral scenes. While the farm setting makes a peaceful, cohesive background for the storyline, it may not be as relatable to the everyday experience of many children. I would’ve enjoyed a bit more diversity in the illustrations, showing that one can find joy and contentment in many different settings.

Overall: 12.5/15

Questions for Discussion:

• What are you thankful for today? If your little one is having trouble coming up with ideas, consider prompting them with ideas from the text:
  • Did something make you laugh?
  • Did you read/listen to some stories?
  • Were you able to help someone/show them you cared? (person or animal)
  • Who cared for/helped you today?
  • Did you have food to eat today?
  • Do you have a bed to sleep in at night?
• Who can you thank for these things? (When we express our thankfulness to others, it helps lift their spirits, too!)

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Use this link to purchase your own copy of Joy: A Celebration of Mindfulness!