Breathe
The poem Breathe by Becky Hemsley resonates a lot with me and I was so happy to find it as a children’s book with lovely artwork by Siski Kalla, as it is a great addition to my forest school library and, in my opinion, is a book that every home should own.
I am sure the feeling of not quite fitting in, being overwhelmed, not quite being enough, changing aspects of yourself because you feel you should and being a little (or a lot) insecure is something lots of us may have experienced.
Getting the message out there that you can be yourself, however quirky that may be, is really important, for both children and adults, and this book delivers the message in an accessible, positive, uplifting and nature-loving way.
It helps you stop for a moment, to literally take a breath. Whether you dip to a page or two, or sit and read the whole book, it leaves you feeling calm and ready to take on the world.
“So she walked to the forest and stood with the trees,
She heard the wind whisper and dance with the leaves,
She spoke to the willow, the elm and the pine,
And she told them what she’d be told time after time”
Originally in the book of Becky’s poems “Talking to the Wild, the bedtime stories we never knew we needed” the creation of a children’s book from this poem makes it easy to read and includes butterfly shapes for children to find that are hidden within the pictures, as well as some activities suggested to help children find calm and peace - however this looks like to them as individuals.
Although probably aimed at under 10s, this book really is suitable for all ages and the message in it is important for us all to hear. I feel strongly about promoting individuality and acceptance of this, allowing children to be their own person, to make choices depending on how they feel. We are all different, and hopefully eventually this really will be celebrated.
This book gives you a lovely fuzzy cosy feeling but equally one of empowerment and just being yourself.
So, basically, buy a copy, get a copy from the library, give a copy as a present to a child or adult and spread a little calm and joy :)
