The Cat on the Mat: All About Mindfulness

by Bonnie Worth, Aristides Ruiz (Illustrator)

Beginning readers will learn to cultivate calmness and focus with the Cat in the Hat in this simple rhymed introduction to mindfulness meditation!

Life is a juggling act that can often make us feel dizzy and dazed--kids included! Between school, homework, chores, after school activities, play dates, Zoom calls--you name it--keeping all those balls in the air can be taxing! But the Cat in the Hat has a solution to the madness. It's called mindfulness meditation, and in this simple, rhymed Cat in the Hat's Learning Library Book, he shows kids how to slow down and still their bodies and minds through simple breathing exercises and focused concentration. This is a perfect choice for fostering mindfulness in young readers, and a practical tool for helping them learn to deal with stress. Fans of the hit PBS show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! will be happily surprised to learn that the Cat knows as much about fostering good mental and physical health as he does about science!

The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library is a nonfiction, unjacketed hardcover series that introduces beginning readers ages 5-8 to important basic concepts. Featuring beloved characters from Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat, the Learning Library titles explore a range of topics about the world we live in and include an index, glossary, and suggestions for further reading.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction

48 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

BONNIE WORTH is the author of countless books for young readers, among them the Cat in the Hat Learning Library books If I Ran the Rain Forest, HarK! A Shark!, Oh Say Can You Seed? (winner of the 2003 Ohio Farm Bureau Award), Wish for a Fish, Oh Say Can You Say Di-No-Saur?, Would You Rather Be a Pollywog?, Ice Is Nice!, and Safari, So Good!

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

So nice to see this old friend again! A very good book on the basics of meditation. This would be the perfect book to introduce/practice meditation with a small child. For those of us who grew up with CITH this is what I call an 'anchor' book: a book that you can come (back) to when you get that 'drifting' feeling that pulls you away from the shores of certainty. Will look for more new CITH books!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, but doesn't have the same rhythm as Dr. Seuss' books.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good how-to book about meditation.

I'm just not sure how Dr. Seuss would feel about the Cat in the Hat - who sort of personifies chaos and entropy - being the teacher.

[Kathie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So maybe I've been living under a rock, but I didn't realize there is an whole "The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library" series that a) looks and sounds exactly as if Seuss himself wrote and illustrated the book, b) is perfect in word size, count and cadence for emerging readers, and c) has wonderful life lessons. So now I know. And I didn't expect to like this book, but I love it. It uses similar language to my beloved and wise yoga instructor who is teaching us how to shut off our overactive brains and just "be." In this book: "Life's a juggling act that can make us feel dizzy. Keeping balls in the air all the time--busy, busy!" SO TRUE, for young readers and the adults in their lives reading this along with them. Great advice, this: "Like boats have their anchors to keep them from drifting, we focus on something so our minds don't keep shifting." EVERY youngster and adult would benefit from this book!

[Jarno · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the begging they show Conrad and Sallie playing Basketball. He arrived at their house on the mat.
In the middle they showed them with their minds. All the
Thoughts appeared from their heads.
In the end they showed him flying in the sky. The geese
We’re flying behind him.
I hope everybody is having a good day and I will be back
With another update with more books. I’m not sure
When. Bye.

[Am Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good attempt at replicating the magic of Dr Seuss. Not really the same, but it has its own charm. The book is a fully rhyming take on meditation for kids, with lively, colourful illustrations on every page. Each rhyming verse was not bad, and most flowed well. At the end, there are actual tips and advice on how to meditate. Definitely a book I'd recommend to an older child.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cat in the Hat returns in a story built on rhymed verse to show kids a variety of mindfulness techniques. This could be a good resource for use in managing a classroom, teaching students more about self-regulation.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book for kids to learn how to be mindful.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this! I’m impressed at what this book covers about mindfulness.

[Andrea Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical, fun take on mindfulness. Love the word play and seeing a familiar favorite childhood character!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for all ages, probably more so suited for an adult

[Nathan W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

8 year old says “Good, but kind of long”