I Love Yoga (Yoga for Kids)

Gr. 3-5, younger for reading aloud. In a book similar in format to Naia Bray-Moffatt's I Love Gymnastics (2005), Chryssicas, who teaches yoga to children at her Massachusetts studio, offers a vicarious tour of a typical class. Opening spreads discuss equipment, clothing, and camaraderie among the young learners. Later spreads showcase poses, grouped according to their desired impact on the body: "Hip Openers" and "Lift Up Your Heart," for example. The layouts, featuring many small inset photos pasted over larger images, are cluttered, and beginners looking for a specific sequence of poses and full instruction on breathing through the asanas may need further guidance. Still, the mostly sharp, clear photos of accomplished kids having fun (there's a final section on games) may inspire some children to dip into their first "Downward Dog," while others will marvel at yoga's mental benefits: "I pretend my thoughts are clouds and watch them float away," says a young boy.