Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing

by Christopher Willard, Daniel Rechtschaffen, Holly Clifton-Brown (Illustrations)

Children will learn the basics of mindful breathing along with their ABCs in this playful and interactive board book.

In Alphabreaths, children learn their ABCs along with the basics of mindfulness through fun exercises and illustrations they’ll want to come back to again and again. Each letter of the alphabet teaches a simple mindfulness or compassion-based practice to help kids focus their thoughts, hold positive feelings for others, express gratitude, and more. It’s as easy as ABC!

Kids will open their arms wide like jaws on Alligator Breath, take a big breath and sing “Laaa” on Voice Breath, and imagine blowing out birthday candles on Cake Breath. With Heart Breath and Wish Breath, they will remember to fill their heart with gratitude and send good wishes to others.


Alphabreaths offers a meaningful introduction to mindfulness for children, all while keeping them delighted with imaginative inspiration and hours of fun.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Nonfiction, Animals, Kids, Meditation

22 pages, Board Book

Published January 18, 2022

About the author

CHRISTOPHER WILLARD, PSYD, is a clinical psychologist and consultant specializing in bringing mindfulness into education and psychotherapy. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, teaches at Harvard Medical School, and leads workshops worldwide. For more, visit drchristopherwillard.com.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing is an alphabetical joy!

Each letter introduces readers to a new mindful breathing exercise. I was surprised how much I found myself relaxing as I moved through the ABCs. My tension from the day began to ease up and let go as I breathed in and out, stretched, and listened. It was lovely really. My favorite was “T” for Teddy Bear Breath. :)

Lay down on your back and put a teddy bear on your tummy.
As you breathe in and out, watch your teddy bear go up and down.

This book is full of soft colors, silence, and stillness. It’s a soothing, simple introduction to mindfulness and letters. It's kind of perfect after the year we've all had.

Check it out at your local Library.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely pictures and 26 different ideas about how to practice mindful breathing, which isn't something I would previously have gone for. But standing around my friendly neighborhood grocery store waiting for the toilet paper fresh off the truck to be restocked, I found it more helpful and meaningful that I would have otherwise.

Library copy via Hoopla

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book. My daughter and I practiced the mindful breathing exercises for each letter. She suggested we do a different one every day. I agree.

A good way to get kids to relax and a good entry into meditation and yoga.

[Bethlyn Allmey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book all about mindfulness and breathing for children. Can’t wait to use it in the classroom!

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love breathing.

(After typing this, I got a Google reCAPTCHA. Um, ROBOTS DON'T BREATHE, isn't that enough?!)

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book. Each page features a different letter with a different style of breath.

For example:
"Lion Breath
Breathe in, feeling brave and strong like a lion. Breathe out, letting out a powerful (but quiet) roar!"

And

"Underwater Breath
Paddle your arms, imagining you are underwater. Breathe in and out, blowing bubbles through your scuba gear."

The only weird thing is that our library copy is a board book, and I think this is probably better as a hardcover traditional book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable introduction to mindful breathing!! Beautifully illustrated!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very beautifully illustrated reference of breathing techniques, framed in such a way as to be very accessible to any age. I wish they were cards that I could hang up.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book that’s great for kids and adults. I will be practicing some of these ideas.

[Karrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong introduction into mindful breathing for young ones. Cute illustrations. I just wanted more variety in the breathing patterns and something besides xylophone for X.

[Sarah T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good, but long book on mindful techniques. This might be done best at storytime by asking the kids, “GIVE ME A LETTER!” and going through the book like that for 5 letters a session or something. I’m definitely keeping this one in my pocket for the future!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this! I am a big fan of encouraging mindfulness practices in children and this book is a delight. The illustrations are calming yet expressive and they whole presentation is imaginative, inclusive, and inspiring. Most children are naturally able and eager to imagine, and studies have shown that children who have something to imagine (a character, a story, etc.) while practicing mindfulness are able practice longer.

I appreciate the variety of imagination springboards here.
There's something for different personalities and moods, for example:
*children who love animals: Lion Breath. "Breathe in, feeling brave and strong like a lion. Breathe out, letting out a powerful (but quiet) roar!"
*children who like to be helpful or imagine themselves as heroes Superhero Breath. "Breathe in and imagine you are a superhero. Breathe out and imagine how you will help someone."
* children who like quiet moments: Teddy Bear Breath. "Lay down on your back and put a teddy bear on your tummy. As you breathe in and out, watch your teddy bear go up and down."
*children who need to move their bodies: Alligator Breath, "Open your arms wide like alligator jaws on the in-breath. Snap them shut on the out breath."

Some breaths connect you to others (Gratitude Breath "As you breathe in, think of a person you're grateful for. As you breathe out, send them a smile") while others help you gaze inward (Question Breath: "As you breathe in, ask yourself how you are feeling. As you breathe out, answer.")

My youngest and I really enjoyed this book. If you aren't able to get the book, you can find it read on YouTube.

I've seen some of Christopher Willard's work online (TED Talks, various online presentations given during Lockdown, etc.) and love his approach. He has some talks geared to teens and adults, and some for caregivers to inspire their children and/or to help boost their own self-care so they are better equipped to be peacefully present for their children. If you are interested in mindfulness, I highly recommend his work. (He also has a book for adults, including Growing Up Mindful: Essential Practices to Help Children, Teens, and Families Find Balance, Calm, and Resilience).

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece (5) and I have been doing very basic breathing exercises since she was able to follow my lead. It was/is my hope that conscious awareness of breathing will serve as a general coping mechanism as she grows, and that having learned it so early, it will be integral to her life and character. I know that I wish I’d have been taught this before I was in my 20s; it may have helped a lot of anxiety.
It’s not for everyone; my nephew (8) and I have also been practicing it his whole life, and he’s found that it’s not helpful. But he still has it in his “toolbox” if he needs it.
One of the things my niece asked for as a Christmas gift was a book about breathing. We’ve read many over the years, and since she’s now in kindergarten, I wanted to find her one that she could use independently, if she so chooses. I ordered the board book version of Alphabreaths, and I can’t wait to do some of the exercises together. They’re all clever, and either silly or relatable or dream-like, and for a child learning the alphabet, it’s impressive reinforcement. The illustrations are charming and calming, and I’m so glad I found this gem. I highly recommend it.

[Nanny Miss Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

The benefits of mindfulness for children are becoming evermore obvious, as parents and caregivers are discovering the positive effects of teaching breathing techniques , empathy, and acceptance. A delightful kids book, "Alphabreathing", provides a fun and relatable lesson in mindfulness that covers many aspects of breathing from A to Z.

You may be familiar with Dr. Christopher WIllard's similar children's books from Sounds True Publishing, including "THe Breathing Book" and "The In Between Book". Collaborating with mindfulness educator Daniel Rechtschaffen produced an amazing breathing instruction manual for kids and parents alike. Each corresponding letter and technique (example: N for Ninja breath for slow, silent breathing) is beautifully expressed with the help of the terrific illustrations by Holly Clifton-Brown.

The ABC format of "Alphabreathing" is a very creative way to help kids not only remember different ways to find calm through breathing, but makes it an enjoyable game that they can incorporate in daily play.

[Sierra Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alphabreaths: The ABC's of Mindful Breathing by Daniel Rechtschaffen, Christopher Willard; Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown

Alphabreaths was relaxing read that gave breathing techniques while learning the letters of the alphabet. Each page was unique to the letter making each page a different breathing exercise. One of my favorite pages of the book was letter G. " Gratitude Breath, As you breathe in, think of a person you're grateful for. As you breathe out, send them a smile". This book would be a great way to not only learn the alphabet, but use it has a way to bring the volume down in a classroom. The children are actively reading the book while doing the breathing exercises. I think even to the teacher or whom ever reading the book could do one a day to relax the child and learn a letter of the alphabet. Alphabreaths would be a great read for all ages. I say this because even reading it myself I felt more relaxed then before reading.

[Eve Costarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable, diverse illustrations connected to beautiful simple breathing prompts. From A-Z, easy to follow breathing prompts, each one aimed to elicit a calming response. This book is a great one for young children and it can be used more widely- any teacher could offer up one of these breathing practices at the beginning of each class. Students can encouraged to note the ones they like the best to keep in their tool boxes of practices they know help them to feel good, calm and in-control. Calming breaths can be used to bring focus and attention in a classroom as well as a home or office but are also great to combine with a yoga pose! Great accessible ideas to incorporate into today's mindful classroom. 

Fun, accessible introduction to the power of the breath!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I snagged this on a whim as I was perusing my library's "new" shelf, and now I want to buy a copy and bring it with me wherever I go. Not only do I think this is a very clever tool that can be used in any childcare setting to calm down agitated children (have them pick a letter of the alphabet and do that breathing technique until their calmed), but I also think that I would benefit as well! Each letter is a different way of breathing that might engage the child through moving it's body or imagining something with their senses. The illustrations are a soft and calming accompaniment.

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cool book! Love the illustrations. I’m sad they don’t have more bodily movements to correlate, otherwise I’d purchase; it’s a *lot* of breathing (with the reading also), even for an adult who does breathing exercises, so movement would break things up.

It might also help to give kids more of an intro to breathing, like one spread either at the beginning or the end of the book. Showing the diaphragm or some other scientific way of understanding why and how breathing correctly is important.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

For each letter of the alphabet, a mindful breathing technique is introduced through an imagination exercise ("Gratitude Breath / As you breathe in, think of a person / you're grateful for. As you breathe out, / send them a smile"). Probably best as a resource to draw on interspersed throughout a storytime or class rather than reading all the way through. Appropriate for pre-k+ but some of the exercises are better than others for the younger groups.

Themes: Peace; Mindfulness

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book as an introduction for young kiddos into meditation. There has been a boom in children's mindfulness/meditation book publication lately, but this is one of the stronger ones I've seen. The illustrations are arresting enough to hold a child's attention, there aren't too many words or concepts, and grown-ups can encourage an "alligator breath" or a "candle breath" after having read the book. There's plenty of room for future employment of the breathing techniques.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Alphabreaths, children will learn their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful breathing exercises. Breaths like Mountain Breath and Redwood Breath will connect them with nature, while breaths like Heart Breath and Wish Breath will help them remember to fill their heart with gratitude and send good wishes to others.

Simple, playful, and with delightful illustrations, Alphabreaths is the perfect introduction to mindfulness and breath awareness.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a clinical psychologist on the faculty at Harvard med school and a mindfulness educator, this wonderful book teaches ABCs by assigning a different breathing exercise to each letter of the alphabet. Intended for ages 4-8, I think this book would be great for anyone - including adults! As a previous early childhood educator, I wish I had been able to use this book to begin each school day. Highly recommend!

[Abby Peskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep breaths are such a great way to calm down when kids are frustrated, because it keeps them focused on the way their bodies are feeling instead of what’s going on around them that seems unfair or frustrating. This book works through the whole alphabet with a different strategy for trying deep breathing for every letter. Try these when your child is calm and content, so that when they use them when they are frustrated they will already know what to do.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book that makes mindful breathing playful and approachable for children. My favorite was "teddy bear breath" (lay on your back and put a teddy bear on your tummy. Watch it go up and down as your breath). "Elevator breath" and "cake breath" were other favorites. Based on the dedication in the back, it looks like some, if not all, of the breaths were invented by kids - how cool! The illustrations are also very nice.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty dang good. Useful, even. Most alphabet books are awkwardly forced and many children's picture books that purport to teach are heavy handed and pander in a way that disturbs me. But this one works and has a high degree of respect for the child as a person. I found myself doing some of the breathing maneuvers and they were profound and fun. The copy I read is from my local library and I will probably buy one from my local bookseller for my granddaughter.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note that in the back the author credits real children with inventing these breaths!

Some are similar to each other. But there's enough variety, and enough ones that I didn't know nor ever thought of, that I wish I owned a copy of this. And since anyone who ever feels stress or pain should have controlled breathing in their repertoire, and since this is easy, cute, & accessible, I recommend it to everyone, hence the five star rating.

[Augusta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful ABC book. For each letter there is a suggestion of breathing exercise named after that letter. I think this would be very appropriate for my kindergarten class. I would practice the sound of a letter, followed my announcing the name of the breaking exercise and then having all students breath together.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes Juvenile/Childrens books are oh so perfect for adults, too. This is one of those. It's perfection from start to finish. I breathed into every page...twice:) Cleverly written, fun illustrations, a grand introduction to mindfulness breathing, and an even better reminder about mindfulness breathing. 'Redwood Breath' is my favorite.

[Cassandra Clyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to use with children (even from very early ages) to help them learn various breathing techniques and self soothing strategies. The pictures are gorgeous and illustrate well how children can use the techniques on their own. Overall, a great book, and one I would highly recommend for use with preschool and elementary age children!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I can't wait to incorporate some of the Alphabreaths into my daily life and when reading to children. My favorite was G-G is for gratitude. As you breathe in, think of a person you're grateful for. As you breathe out, send them a smile. From A to Z, wonderful and easy breathing techniques can be found in this book.