An Introduction to Mindfulness

Author Elise Gravel has an incredible talent for creating picture books for exactly when we need them and a gentle and humourous way of conveying important ideas to readers. Puppy in my Head is a perfect example. Written and illustrated by Elise Gravel, it’s a book about mindfulness that will connect not only with your young readers but adults readers as well. I don’t know about you and where you are living right now, but for those who are living in Ontario like me, Puppy in my Head is an excellent choice for children who are constantly being disrupted because of the ongoing pandemic.

In the story, the narrator explains that there is a puppy in their head, even gives it a name, Ollie. When Ollie has big feelings, so does the narrator. As readers go through the pages, there are strategies to help Ollie/us, acknowledge feelings and how they make us act and what we can do to calm down our own Ollies.

With illustrations that will connect to all readers and clear facial expressions to go along with each feeling, from Ollie and from the child featured, young readers will be able to connect their own feelings with those mentioned in the book and will begin to develop mindfulness strategies. For any educators using The Zones of Regulation by Leah M. Kuypers or any other self-regulation program, Puppy in my Head is the PERFECT addition to teachings about self regulation and offers excellent complementary strategies for readers.