A World of Pausabilities: An Exercise in Mindfulness

Sileo (Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town) invites readers to explore the potential in “pausabilities,” i.e. “taking a pause just for you,/ to stop and notice what you feel, think, and do.” Writing in rhyme, Sileo offers numerous suggestions for ways that children can be mindful, whether paying attention while eating (“Have something yummy and healthy to eat./ Notice the flavor; is it salty, or sweet?”), doodling, or taking a break from screens. Zivoin (Big Red and the Little Bitty Wolf) sets nearly every scene outdoors, and her warm digital illustrations show multiethnic families playing in the rain, sharing a quiet moment on a porch swing, and chasing fireflies by night. Through the rhythms of Sileo’s verse can be uneven, he offers a wealth of ideas for how children and families can stay engaged in the present. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)