Monday, January 27, 2020

"Bee Heartfelt : Spread Loving-Kindness" - a bookwrap










A  sweet story about meditation and positivity.  You are going to want to share this message with your kids I'm sure! 


Unwrapping






"Bee Heartfelt: Spread Loving-Kindness"
Authored by Frank J. Sileo, PhD
Illustrated by Claire Keay

* Ages:  4-8
* Grade Level:  PS-2
* Hardcover:  32 pages
* Publisher:  Magination Press; 1 edition
* Pub. Date:  January 7, 2020
* Language:  English



Praise/ Reviews and Awards




I read it to my son, and he said, 'It's my favorite.' What a great book to bring more love and kindness into the hearts and minds of our children—the future of humanity. 
—Elisha Goldstein, Founder of The Mindful Living Collective

Bentley the Bee is a delightful character in the wonderful Bee Heartful. He represents and teaches the practice of loving kindness, an evidence-based meditation that can lead to more joy, connection and well-being in children and adults alike. I loved the book! 
—Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA's 

Mindful Awareness Research Center and author of The Little Book of Being
Bee Heartful: Spread Loving-Kindness will bring warmth and kindness into the hearts of children. Author and psychologist Frank J. Sileo strikes the perfect balance between artful storytelling and heartful guidance for social-emotional learning. Illustrator Claire Keay’s endearing illustrations portray characters that will invite readers to practice loving-kindness with their sweet protagonist, a bee named Bentley, and his animal friends. Masterfully done! 
—Whitney Stewart, author of Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness 

Exercises for Kindness, Focus, and Calm
A bee-utiful introduction to the practice and power of loving-kindness. Bentley shows all of us how to grow the seeds of loving-kindness in our own heart and beyond. More important now than ever! 
—Christopher Willard, PsyD, Psychologist, Faculty Harvard 

Medical School, author of many books including Alphabreaths and Breathing Makes It Better
Bee Heartful: Spread Loving Kindness is a delightful addition to Frank Sileo's earlier books Bee Still and Bee Calm. In the enchanted garden where they live, children will again meet Bentley Bee and his friends. These garden charmers teach how to send love, good wishes, kindness, and compassion to others. It is beautifully illustrated, and a powerful lesson in how to be truly happy ourselves. 

— Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness



Unwrapping Some Illustrations for You to Enjoy



















The Book 



This is a lovely calming book about Bentley who is an adorable, compassionate little bee.  This is the third book in Frank J. Silio's award-winning series.   

"Bentley is a heartful bee. His heart is filled with love."  One morning he wakes up, drapes his favourite red scarf around his neck and heart and begins loving-kindness meditation.  What is that you may ask?  

Well he sits very calm and still and "sends loving, caring, friendly, and warm thoughts to himself, those he loves, and those who are not kind to him."  Why does he do this?  It makes him a happier little bee and it makes his heart grow bigger. An infusion of love and contentment flows through it.  

Then along comes naughty Willie Wasp and he snatches Bentley's scarf right off his neck and flies away with it.  Poor Bentley whatever shall he do now?  How will he react to such a blatant act of thievery?  To the surprise and admiration of the other animals around him Bentley takes three deep breathes, pictures Willie in his mind and repeats these words several times: 

"May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be safe.
May you be peaceful."

Do you think that these strong, positive, powerful words that Bentley recites will penetrate deep into Willy's heart and persuade him to return the red scarf back to Bentley?  

The author wisely has included a "Note to Adult Beekeepers" at the back of the book which offers more in-depth information about loving-kindness meditation and instructions as to how readers can practice it themselves.  The illustrations are very kid-friendly, cute and simple.  The other books in the series:  "Bee Still" and "Bee Strong" are highly recommended as well as "Bee Heartful:  Spread Loving-Kindness." 




Storywraps Rating -  5 HUGS!!!!!






Meet the Author



Frank J. Sileo, PhD, is a New Jersey licensed psychologist and the founder and executive director of The Center for Psychological Enhancement in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
He received his doctorate from Fordham University in New York City and is consistently recognized as one of New Jersey's top kids' doctors.
Dr. Sileo teaches mindfulness to his patients and to schools and organizations.
Visit his website and @DrFrankSileo.






About the Illustrator 







  

  Claire Keay also illustrated Bee Still: An Invitation to Meditation and Bee Calm: The Buzz on Yoga. She works from her small studio at home illustrating children's books and stationery. Claire lives in the South of England. Visit clairekeay.co.uk, @claire_keay on Twitter, and on Instagram @sherbet_lane.












Follow Storywraps












*Instagram: Storywraps
Email:  storywrapsblog@gmail.com
*Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Storywraps
*Twitter: Storywraps@Storywraps1
*Pinterest: Storywraps


I put hours of work finding the best kid's books to review for you each day.  If you enjoy visiting Storywraps and would like to donate something for my time and effort I would greatly appreciate it.

Go to the top of my blog at the right hand corner (below my photo) and please donate what you feel lead to give.  The amount you donate and the frequency you donate is totally up to you.  

I also have added a new button... ko-fi.com/storywraps  Simply buy me a cup of coffee if you would rather.  That would be fun.  Coffee and blogging go together like two peas in a pod as I'm always brewing up something here on Storywraps.  
 I thank you in advance for your support.  I adore what I do and would appreciate any amount that you may give so that I can make our Storywraps' community more thriving and exciting.  Thanks a million!  Books bind us together.   


Read on...
Read always.
It's a wrap! 
💜💜💜


No comments: