As the group came to a close, we decided that each of us would attempt to make a list of our favorites. We decided we could each make our own categories. Three group members (Laura, myself, and Onia) submitted lists of our favorite books. Below are the results of our efforts.
From Laura:
Spiritual Books
- Zen Shorts John J. Muth 3-6 Apple sweet short stories; TV show Stillwater based on this book. Also wonderful.
- The Three Questions Jon J Muth: 2-8 When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important? What is the right thing to do?
- Goodnight Love: A Bedtime Meditation Story Sumi Loundon Kim 3-8 Excellent Gift
- On the Night You Were Born Nancy Tillman 3-7 Excellent Gift
- Kobi Yamada 4 Books: Maybe (why you are here…) 3-7 Excellent Gift
- What to do With an Idea 3-7 What do do With a Problem 3-7 Trying 4-7
- On My Way to a Happy Life Deepak Chopra 2-9 7 spiritual laws-rhyming format and beautiful illustrations
- I AM: Why Two Little Words Mean So Much Dr. Wayne Dyer with Kristina Tracy 2-7
- Is Nothing Something? Kids' Questions and Zen Answers About Life, Death, Family, Friendship, and Everything in Between Thich Nhat Hahn 4-8
Spiritual Energy
- All I See is Part of Me by Chara M. Curtis 2-5 Connectedness Oneness
- Everything is Energy (including you!) Tim McConville 3-7 All one energy
- I am a Rainbow by Sarah Smid, Amanda Cottrel 4- 8 A light introduction to the Chakra energies but the presentation is not inclusive nor are illustrations inviting.
- Chakras: A Colorful Guide for Children Y.L. Mathis 7-12 Great presentation of the Chakras which uses affirmation and visualization rather than activities to balance the chakras.
- Chakras for Kids C. R. Ludi 7+ Offers in-depth introduction to the chakras for kids and young adults.
Mindfulness and Meditation
- Mindful Me: Mindfulness and Meditation for Kids by Whitney Stewart and Stecey Peterson 9-12 Useful Explanation and Guide
- A Walk in the Wood: Meditations on Mindfulness with a Bear Named Pooh by Dr. Joseph Parent All Ages Mindfulness made easy. Nice Gift Idea
- Buddha’s Little Instruction Book Jack Kornfield One liners with beautiful pictures Nice Gift Idea
- Don Miguel Ruiz 3 Books: Teens+ The Four Agreements The Three Questions The Mastery of Love Good reads for everyone.
- You Are The Universe Ram Dass YA. Arranged & Illustrated by Amy Buetens & Julie Weinstein Book quality is excellent.
- Be Here Now Ram Dass his spiritual awakening; a bit more intense than the above book
From Vanessa:
Overall Favorite
The Other Way to Listen by Byrd Baylor and Peter Parnall
This was my overall favorite spiritual children’s book. This book describes an old man who hears the sound of corn singing and seeds growing underground. He teaches the child in the book how to listen deeply. And that to hear the stars or a cactus bloom is the most natural thing in the world. The book is beautifully illustrated and has a Native American feel to it. I highly recommend this book!
Best Spiritual Book for Children
On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
I loved the writing in this book. The book’s core message is that there has never been anyone like you in the world and that the whole world celebrated on the night you were born. The book is a beautiful reminder of our uniqueness in this vast world.
Best Spiritual Book for Spiritual Seekers
Eddy the Whirlpool: A Magical Journey of Self Discovery by Gijs Hubben (Author), Dalia Awad (Illustrator), Rupert Spira (Foreword)
This book is adorable and has a deeper meaning for those who are on the path. It is about a whirlpool who realizes the he is more than just an “Eddy.” He realizes he is also the water and had always been water. The central analogy of the book is beautiful and humorous and spot on.
Best Spiritual Book for Graphic Design
This beautiful coffee table book is incredibly illustrated. I had never read the Ramayana before and this was a wonderful introduction to this epic Indian tale. The story narrates the life of Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu, who is a prince. It follows his exile to the forest and his travels across forests in the Indian subcontinent with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. His wife, Sita, is kidnapped by a demon, Ravana, and this results in an epic war. He is aided by half-human, half-monkey, Hanuman, in his attempt to rescue Sita.
Best Spiritual Children's Book I Ever Wrote and Illustrated
Inspired by Chinese folk designs and Buddhist wisdom, my book tells the tale of a little bird who asks her Mother, “What is the purpose of life?” Mother Bird’s answer sends Little Bird on a visually stunning adventure through indigo valleys, lakes, and mountains where she encounters many wise sages. Each being offers Little Bird their own unique answer to this age-old question. Exhausted from her travels, Little Bird lands near a beautiful lake. After she rests, she discovers the answer to her question in a most unexpected place.
From Onia:
Children birth to 5
- On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
- Moon (A Peek through board book) By Britta Teckentrup
- Buddhist Stories for Kids by Laura Burges
Children 4-9
- Little Bird and the Quest for Happiness by Vanessa Sorensen
- The Three Questions by Jon Muth
- A Walk in the Wood: Meditations on Mindfulness with a Bear Names Pooh by Joesph Parent - not the actual Pooh series
- If you plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
- Puppy Mind by Andrew Jordan Nance and Jim Durk
- All I See is Part of Me by Chara M. Curtis and Cynthia Aldrich
- Eddy The Whirlpool by Gijs Hubben (Author), Dalia Awad (Illustrator), Rupert Spira
- The Old Turtle by Douglas Wood (Author), Cheng-Khee Chee (Illustrator)
Children 9-12
- The Waterubas By Jocelyn Stevenson, Brian Froud (Illustrator)
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
- All of Kobi Yamada’s books (see Laura Ellis list and there are more)
Teenagers 12-18
I haven’t really found a book I think hits the mark. Teenagers these days are complicated!
You Are The Universe by Ram Das
