Downward Mule

by Jenna Hammond, Steve Page (Illustrator)

On the one hoof, others tease him. On the other hoof, they don’t really know him. Sam’s a secret yogi. Join the barnyard menagerie on a yoga journey. Who knew a mule could be so cool? Sam doesn’t at first. Sometimes it just takes confidence (and yoga) to believe it.

50 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2017

Reviews

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book's bright colors and engaging story makes you root for Sam (a mule) to fess up to his fascination with yoga.

At first, all he sees is how he's different from everyone else in the barnyard. With some gentle prodding from the farmer's daughter, Sam comes to realize that he can express who he is--and also use his skills to help when a crisis hits the farm.

This book will appeal to kids in elementary school who like animals. The power of yoga may even sneak up on the reader!

[Kid's Picture Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son really laughed at this one. He thought seeing all the animals doing yoga was hilarious. This is a really cute story and a great way to introduce your little ones to the world of yoga. There is even a chart in the book of different yoga poses being done by the girl in the story, so you can show your little ones what to do. The story is about a mule who seems different from the other animals. This is because he is a secret yogi. At one point the animals stop providing for the farm - chickens won’t lay, sheep won’t give their fleece, cows won’t give milk. With the help of Sam, he teaches the animals yoga and they begin to act normal again. This is a must have book if you are a yoga lover.

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downward Mule is a fun, educational story written by the author, closet yogi Jenna Hammond and illustrated by Steve Page. Story features Sam who is a mule and a secret yogi. Sam lives in a barnyard and is different from other farm animals. He often gets teased by other farm animals for being slow, shy and stubborn. Read this story to know how a mule will help farm animals with yoga?

Kids will get to know about some yoga postures by reading this book and they may also get keen to practice yoga everyday. I got to know about different postures through this book. I really loved the Horse Stance posture.

Pretty illustrations make the book more lively. This is an interesting story with so many farm characters. Grab a copy of this book and try different postures while reading this book.

[Brian Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a good number of children's books about yoga on the market, this story stands out by addressing the hero's reluctance to openly practice. I think this self consciousness is something with which a lot of young readers will be able to relate. The author also comes up with a very clever problem towards the end that can only be solved by all of the animals practicing yoga. With silly and playful illustrations that match the story beautifully, this title will be a winner for young yogis everywhere!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of a clumsy mule who is secretly a yogi and the little girl who believes in him and the calming power of yoga. My six and four year old are big into yoga and enjoy reading this book. They can't sit still when I read it to them, they have to do the poses along with the barnyard animals.

Great for Storytime if your kiddo has the wiggles, or needs a story about believing in yourself and staying true to what makes you happy.

[Laurie Kutscera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farm animals tease Sam, a mule with low self esteem, who just happens to be a secret a yogi. He finds a friend in Lila, who encourages him to be his true self. This fun read-aloud written by Jenna Hammond with colorful illustrations by Steve Page will have young readers laughing while learning yoga poses and important life lessons on acceptance and building confidence. The endpapers are a fun and educational touch with illustrations of Lila in various yoga poses.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downward Mule has everything you need for a fun and lively read-a-loud: fun and lovable characters, bouncy dialog, and a mule with a secret! This is a great introduction to yoga, and kids will love practicing the poses. As yoga keeps getting more and more popular, this book is a must-have that will probably get worn out from so much use!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun book that the kids absolutely love. It’s impossible not to want to join in the different yoga poses that the animals do during the story. My kids do then while we read and even when we are not reading the book! A truly feel good story that gets the kids to use their bodies to build strength and coordination.

[M. Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books like this, it is exactly what children should be reading. And a yogi! I wish I had been introduced to yoga as a child.

[Kate Allen Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and fun introduction to yoga. Preschoolers in particular will love the farm setting and animals whose names also appear in yoga poses. Bright illustrations and fun dialogue anchor this story as the animals move through foundational yoga poses. Great for home use or with a group of young yogis!

[Sara Weis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun read-aloud book will have kids engaged, laughing, and acting out animals while learning life lessons about confidence and acceptance. All of the animal characters are inspirational while being cute and light hearted. Downward Mule is well written as it teaches yoga poses in a fun, kid-friendly way. I highly recommend this book to teachers, parents, and kids of all ages! Downward Mule is the perfect book to read aloud in a classroom, give as a gift, and fun to share with the kids in your life.