Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids

by Kristen Fischer

What could be more fun for kids than to hop like a frog, slither like a snake, and roar like a lion--all while learning an empowering, healthy life skill? Zoo Zen, Count to Ten: A Yoga Story for Kids is a delightful pose-along adventure for children ages two to six. Readers will join our heroine Lyla as she learns ten yoga poses from her friends at the zoo, receiving helpful tips along the way from each animal she encounters. Using rhyming and counting to make memorization easier, here is an imaginative book that combines the benefits of yoga with kids' natural love for animals to create a magical learning journey that parents and children can enjoy together.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Counting, Fiction, Fitness

36 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2017

About the author

http://www.kristenfischer.com

Reviews

[Tina Haigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book, for free, through a Goodreads giveaway.

I honestly think this book is adorable. This is a great book for introducing children (and adults) to yoga. It teaches children 11 poses based on animals, as well as a beginning and ending pose. Each page focuses on a different pose, and has a helpful tip to help you do the pose properly. The text is written in rhyme and most of the words are simple enough for beginning readers to sound out. I would suggest an adult helping to get the pose right with young kids but older kids should be able to do it by themselves. The art is beautiful, and the colors are vibrant and fun. I would highly recommend this book to kids ages 4 to 12, with kids in the 4 to 8 range needing help from an adult.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I snagged this lovely picture book at BookExpo this year. I'm a big yoga fan, and I'd love to see what kids would think of yoga. This little book focuses on ten animal poses, all perfect even for children or adult beginners.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming story finds Lyla heading to the zoo to practice yoga inspired by the animals living there. The animals provide helpful comments ("flex your feet" and "it's okay to bend your knees!"). The format is large with colorful, engaging illustrations. This will be a welcome addition to movement story times!

[Christine The Uncorked Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geared toward pre-k to third grade, join Lyla as she embarks on a yoga journey with the help of the zoo animals. Each pose is paired with brightly colored mixed media illustrations and numbers as the story also reinforces counting. The animals gently encourage Lyla and give her practical tips to make the most of each pose. Small details, such as Lyla’s hair falling loose, warm this instructional story and make Lyla relatable to any young reader. The story ends with a page of smaller text explaining to parents how the poses work, which is a great aid just in case the illustrated poses are not enough. The rhyming adds to the cadence and flow of story, making this a relaxing and informative read. If only my yoga instructor was a dolphin.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids by Kristen Fischer and illustrated by Susi Schaefer (Sounds True Publishing, 2017)

[DubaiReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parent and child yoga.
With yoga enjoying widespread favour, I'm sure this will be a popular book. Children love to share with parents, and what better than exercising together?

Although intended for children aged two to six, my 18 month grandchild was mesmerised by the colourful illustrations of the zoo animals, and I don't think it would be long before he might attempt to copy some of their movements.
Maybe not a book for grandparents to share as I'm not as nimble as I once was, but I'm sure this will be a hit with parents who are happy to slither on the ground or balance on one leg to demonstrate the actions.
In case of any doubt, full descriptions of the eleven poses are included at the end of the book.

[Sara Planz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book for ages 4-8 that integrates yoga, animals and counting. Even has a guide at the end to help children learn the yoga poses. Beautiful and colorful illustrations make for a fun read for both adults and children.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute yoga book for the littles.

[January Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved doing this with my kids! What a wonderful way to teach them and for them to learn and enjoy Yoga!

[Addie LeMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and really got my niece moving.

[JPL Children’s Department · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun read that allows kids to familiarize themselves with yoga and what it means. Growl like a lion and hop like a frog all while learning the basics of yoga. -XP

[Literacy Alliance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geared toward pre-k to third grade, join Lyla as she embarks on a yoga journey with the help of the zoo animals. Each pose is paired with brightly colored mixed media illustrations and numbers as the story also reinforces counting. The animals gently encourage Lyla and give her practical tips to make the most of each pose. Small details, such as Lyla’s hair falling loose, warm this instructional story and make Lyla relatable to any young reader. The story ends with a page of smaller text explaining to parents how the poses work, which is a great aid just in case the illustrations are not enough. The rhyming adds to the cadence and flow of story, making this a relaxing and informative read. If only my yoga instructor was a dolphin.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids by Kristen Fischer and illustrated by Susi Schaefer (Sounds True Publishing, 2017)

By Christine F.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids is a picturebook written by Kristen Fischer and illustrated by Susi Schaefer. What could be more fun for kids than to hop like a frog, slither like a snake, and roar like a lion--all while learning an empowering, healthy life skill? This book is a pose-along adventure for young children, taking them on an adventure with Lyla as she learns ten yoga poses from her friends at the zoo, receiving helpful tips along the way from each animal she encounters. Rhyming and counting are used to make memorization easier, and fun.

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids is a simple and fun introduction to yoga poses for young readers. Those that are interested in yoga, and animals will enjoy the read. I thought it was well done, unfortunately it did not blow mew away as particularly better that the books and videos that I have seen doing similar things- although I found the illustrations charming and the animal connection one that will speak strongly to some readers.

[Angela Jett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary
In this delightfully illustrated book, Lyla learns yoga with the help from zoo animals! Camels give her tips on camel pose, while cobras help her through cobra pose. Whose a better teacher than the animal the pose is named after, right? This colorful book is a great way to introduce children to yoga. At the end there are instructions on how to practice age appropriate yoga poses. These poses are incorporated into a flow called "Lyla's Yoga Flow."

Activity
Refer to Lyla's Yoga Flow guide located at the end of the book. With supervision from mom or dad, try these yoga poses yourself. Do you feel a stretch? If so, what part of your body do you feel a stretch in, and how does it feel? Pick two poses. Why do you think these poses are named after the animal in which they are named after?

Citation
Fischer, K., & Schaefer, S. (2017). Zoo zen: a yoga story for kids. Boulder, CO: Sounds True.

[Tena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a GOODREADS giveaway. - This book will inspire children, of all ages, to obtain yoga nirvana! What a beautiful and entertaining story. Filled with exotic animals in their zoo habits. (No farm animals here!) A wonderfully detailed and colorfully illustrated book with poetic rhyming words to match. I adore Lyla's hair; drawn to be as vivacious as she is! The author, considerately, included two back pages to explain the correct yoga positions, for the parental novices like me! Expect your child to add this to their "just one more time" reading ritual!

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received through a goodreads giveaway.

nice illustrations and an embedded counting structure are both great, but your overall feelings about the book are likely to be in line with your thoughts about the practice of yoga. I think of yoga as a stretching and relaxation exercise and don't put a lot of stock in the spiritual aspects so the supplementary information in the book was a bit much for me, but it's not that hard to ignore.

[Xander Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

This attractive picture book gives kids a perfect access point into the world of stretching and yoga. It has a cute little rhyming pattern and connects each stretch to an animal's body shape or motion. We just received it in the mail a couple days ago and already I've taken my 5 and 8 year old through the activities multiple times. They're developing their favorites: "Let's do the cobra one! Now the camel!"

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable book that teaches a child about yoga poses. It's a great way to introduce children to healthy practices by making a fun game to copy animals from the zoo. It makes a child interested in trying it. We need more books like this with a cute story line and adorable illustrations.
I am donating it to my daughter's school class, so she can help them learn more about easy and fun ways to be healthier, while being entertained.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful and rhyming!
Tantra is one of the ancestral knowledge that I consider most valuable to have a balanced and healthy life. I think yoga is a discipline that is worth teaching to toddlers and this book is an attractive and colorful introductory resource for that purpose.
The illustrations are wonderful, very imaginative with friendly animals, and contains 11 poses with lovely short rhyming texts!
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each page of this book features a different four-lettered poem about a certain zoo animal and its accompanying yoga pose. I think this would be fun to read to young children while also teaching them the different poses, but as a non-yoga person myself, this was not one of my favorites. I tried a few of the poses and could not come close to actually doing them correctly. But this would be a great addition, I think, to a preschool or primary yoga class.

[Patrycja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is delightful, illustrated book for kids ages 4-8.
It is a great way to introduce kids to yoga. Through fun and cute illustrations and poetic rhythms kids can learn the basics of yoga. With help from animals from the zoo, kids will have fun learning.
The story is really cute.
( Personally I don't like zoo and I wish the little girl would just copy animals from wildness, but I will let this fact slip by.)

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an advocate of teaching children mindfulness and yoga. Zoo Zen does a great job of this! Children learn a yoga flow with animal poses. There is some additional information for parents about each pose at the end of the book. The illustrations are cute and the wording is simple. I recommend this book to parents of little ones. I received an ARC from NetGalley.

[Rosamaria Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book via good reads giveaway:
I immediately read the book with the kids.
We felt it was cute.
Vibrant colors.
Easy to follow along to imitate the yoga poses.
I loved in the end it has a narrative of how to properly execute each pose.
My children and I will be re reading and re doing the poses.
A must get.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book.

A story about a little girl who goes to the zoo to learn yoga poses from the animals. How cute is this book?!? The drawings are adorable, the verse is cute, AND it teaches young children the names -along with how to do - the poses! If you know someone who does yoga and has a small child, I highly recommend this book.

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoo Zen is a charming picture book that introduces children to yoga through mimicking jungle animals. It’s a clever, compelling way of combining gentle movement with the wonders of the animal kingdom. I especially enjoyed the colourful illustrations by Susi Schaefer. The textures and patterns in each spread are mesmerising and Lyla’s curly blue hair is just awesome! A lovely book for mini yogis!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute counting book that combines animals and yoga in rhyme. I especially like the colorful illustrations and the yoga tips from each animal (not in rhyme, since they're integrated into the pictures).

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lyla is ready to try something new. Can she learn yoga from friends at the zoo?"

A good chance for a participatory read aloud ... read it through once, then go through again and have the students try the different poses.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had this book sent to my 5-year old nephew. It's become his favorite book! He has preferred poses and must "practice" every night before bed. Haven't seen the book myself so I have no personal comment but his review is much more useful than mine!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This concept book may appeal to yoga fans and zoo animal fans and it also has some counting. It rhymes.

I thought the illustrations were cute.

One child voted to give it four stars and the other child gave it two stars.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this darling book through a Goodreads Giveaway. Though it's aimed at young children, its simplicity is for all ages. It would be good if every human being took the time each day to do these minimal moves, breathe and remember the innocence of childhood.

[Donyae Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book about yoga for children! The main character is a little girl of color and although it's about physical movement, there is no shaming in any of the pages. A good buy for families who love yoga. Or families who don't. It's a good children's book in general.