A Yoga Book to Help Kids Develop Social-Emotional Skills
A playful, rhyming yoga picture book for ages 4 to 8. Thirteen animals practice yoga poses, and each one builds a social-emotional skill like patience, resilience or confidence.
On the shelf at Indigo Pointe-Claire
Moving children from an energetic day to a calm state before bedtime (or anytime!) can be tricky. In NaMOOste, 13 adorable animals practice yoga poses and show young readers the different ways yoga can help care for body and mind.
Painterly watercolour spreads set a serene scene, while the playful rhyming text explains each pose and shares tools for healthy states of mind, like having patience, calming a restless mind, being positive and never giving up.
For readers of I Am Yoga and Good Night Yoga.
The playful exploration of yoga and animals, and the clever twist on the term "namaste" had me thoroughly entertained. I can only imagine how a child will react! The interactive elements, coupled with your offering of parental support for meaningful conversations and the inclusion of interactive sticker fun, were all so well-executed. I am truly impressed by how you seamlessly addressed the aspects of children's global development, spanning language and physical development, social and emotional growth, and cognition. What sets NaMOOste apart for me is its flexibility. It can be utilized by parents in a variety of ways, making it suitable for a broad age range, from 2-3-year-olds to 8 or 9-year-olds.
Dr. Sheryl Smith-Gilman, PhDAssociate Dean of Academic Programs, Faculty of Education, McGill University
Delightfully funny and adorable! This exquisitely illustrated book, which features a menagerie of animals in various yoga poses, introduces young people to the practice of yoga. Helpful notes and discussion points are also included. The rhymes are a delight to read aloud, and it's totally aMOOsing!
Janet PerlmanOscar®-nominated animator and award-winning children's book author/illustrator
I adore this book!! It is fun and easy to read and exposes the reader to all sorts of social emotional skills that are so important for kids (and adults) to learn about. The book also made my kids giggle, which is also a bonus! I will definitely recommend this book to my peers, both in the mommy world and Social Work world.
Shira Levitt, MSWChild Behaviour Specialist
NaMOOste is the perfect book for a young audience. The yoga references, rhyming and predictable nature of the story, provide opportunity for movement and full engagement. A truly delightful story.
Frances LaPortaTeacher, Clearpoint Elementary
Charming, witty and clever from start to finish! NaMOOste takes you on a journey through different situations, and how to deal with them. The benefits of yoga and the social and emotional learning weaved through the story make this an excellent read for everyone. A must for the bookshelves of parents and therapists alike.
Stefanie DembergSocial Worker and mom of two
NaMOOste is a hopelessly adorable picture book that depicts animals practicing yoga poses in an effort to show young readers the different ways yoga can help care for your body and mind. It's spectacular!
Librairie ClioBookstore, Pointe-Claire Plaza
animals, each in a yoga pose with an easy-to-copy illustration
social-emotional skills in a glossary, each linked to a character
note to parents from Rickie Kostiner, a licensed psychotherapist and yoga teacher
The word or phrase Namaste directly translates into meaning, "the divine in me bows to the divine in you." Namaste is not only a greeting, it is also a phrase with deep intention.
In Sanskrit, nama means "bow" and te means "to you." It is usually practiced with hands at heart center in a prayer position with a slight bow. Within yoga philosophy, Namaste is used as an honourable greeting, a recognition of connection to oneself, each other, and the practice of yoga.
Rickie Kostiner, MA, LPC, CCTP-II, E-RYTLicensed psychotherapist and yoga teacher, author of the note to parents in NaMOOsteA playful way to wind down together at bedtime, with poses you can do side by side.
Yoga, mindfulness and social-emotional learning in one read-aloud, with a glossary of 14 skills to talk through.
A fun, gentle introduction to yoga and mindfulness for children ages 4 to 8.
Marlee Kostiner is the founder of Garden Wolf Publishing House, a children's book publisher in Montreal, and a writer and editor with over two decades of experience in journalism.
NaMOOste is her first picture book. The idea came when her son was two: after their bedtime yoga, he stood up and shouted "NaMOOste!" like a cow. She wrote the first draft that day.
Since the book came out in January 2024, Marlee has sold more than 1,000 copies herself at school visits, library readings, craft fairs and holiday markets.
Marlee visits daycares, schools, libraries and community organizations for an interactive reading of NaMOOste with a yoga activity and Q&A. Ask whether your school is eligible for a free visit.
School visits and workshopsI recently had the pleasure of attending a reading of Marlee's delightful book, "NaMOOste," and it was a truly wonderful experience. As she read the book, the kids were captivated not only by the enchanting story but also by the beautiful illustrations, which Marlee expertly highlighted. What made the experience even more special was the way she incorporated yoga poses into the reading. The children loved following along, stretching and moving in sync with her, which added a fun and interactive element to the session.
Nicole AcocaDirector, CPE Maimonide Daycare
Marlee's visit to our Grade 5 classroom was a great experience. Her reading of her book, NaMOOste, captivated the students, and the yoga session afterward was a perfect way to unwind and connect. Marlee's warmth and organization made the event seamless and highly enjoyable for everyone involved.
Erika MatthewsTeacher, Westpark Elementary School
A printable page that explains each of the 14 skills in NaMOOste and the animal who shows it. Use it at home or in the classroom to talk about kindness, patience, courage and more.
Download the PDFNaMOOste is a picture book for children ages 4 to 8.
Thirteen animals practice yoga poses, and each one uses yoga to build a different social-emotional skill, such as patience, resilience or confidence. The playful, rhyming story helps children move from an energetic day to a calm state, at bedtime or anytime.
Children learn basic yoga poses for strength and flexibility, how yoga can help them build social-emotional skills, and mindfulness techniques for relaxation and focus. A glossary explains 14 social-emotional skills, such as kindness, courage and self-care, and links each one to a character in the book.
Parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators who want a fun way to introduce young children to yoga, mindfulness and social-emotional learning.
Yes. NaMOOste includes a note to parents from Rickie Kostiner, a licensed psychotherapist and yoga teacher, explaining why the book is a meaningful tool and how to use it.
NaMOOste was written by Marlee Kostiner, founder of Garden Wolf Publishing House in Montreal, and illustrated by Manvi Semalty.
The title is a playful twist on namaste, the greeting that ends many yoga practices (in Sanskrit, nama means "bow" and te means "to you"). When Marlee's son was two, they did yoga together before bed and ended with hands at heart and "namaste." One night he stood up and shouted "NaMOOste!" like a cow. Marlee had the idea for the book on the spot and wrote the first draft that day.
Yes. NaMOOste has been featured on CBC's Our Montreal and in The Suburban, and it was the featured book at the opening of the Montreal West Public Library's new StoryWalk® in 2024.
Yes. Marlee visits daycares, schools, libraries and community organizations for an interactive reading of NaMOOste with a yoga activity and Q&A.
In Canada, NaMOOste is available from Amazon.ca (paperback and Kindle) and Kobo (ebook). In the US, NaMOOste is available from Amazon.com (paperback and Kindle). In store, it is on the shelf at Indigo Pointe-Claire.
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