Good Night, Body: Finding Calm from Head to Toe

Winn Lee introduces meditative body scanning with the help of creative visualizations involving puppies, blankets, balloons, and more in this quieting picture book. Addressing the body as “dear friend,” first-person narration names more than a dozen body parts in turn for the reader to survey—head, face, eyes, mouth, shoulders, and so on—until it’s time to say good night. Captured in mellow hues, smooth digital illustrations present children with varied abilities and skin tones modeling each relaxation technique. In one spread, three children, including one portrayed with vitiligo, doze in hammocks at dusk (“Hello, mouth. May you hang loosely like a hammock”). In another, kids rub their bellies, surrounded by stuffies (“Hello, belly. May you be comfy like a stuffed animal”). The heart provides a chance to repeat “You’re loved,” and lungs are acknowledged with deep breathing. By the time toes have done their final effective wiggle, readers ought to be ready for peaceful dreams. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)