Already A Butterfly A Meditation Story Review
Already a Butterfly is an inspiring picture book that sweetly introduces young readers to the practices of meditation and mindfulness.
Written by award-winning author Julia Alvarez and beautifully illustrated by artist Raul Colon, Already a Butterfly is the perfect book to read in celebration of World Meditation Day on May 21st.
Already a Butterfly Review:
Mari Posa is a beautiful and extremely busy butterfly who never takes time to “smell the roses”. With endless chores and flowers to pollinate, Mari rushes so much she can’t even name the beautiful flowers that she spends her days amongst. Even though she is tired, Mari isn’t able to unwind and enjoy herself at nighttime. Her mind is constantly aflutter thinking about the next day’s work load.
One day Mari encounters a friendly flower “bud” who encourages her to slow down and find the quiet within. “You already are a butterfly Mari Posa. You just have to learn a way to get rid of the hurry and worry that keep you from knowing who you really are.” Mari learns how to breathe, slow down and enjoy her surroundings. By connecting with herself, Mari spreads her beautiful wings and approaches life with a new confidence.
In a world that doesn’t seem to make sense and never slows down, Mari’s story is a refreshing escape. Already a Butterfly encourages readers to take a few minutes each day for a little self care. I found myself chanting along with Mari, “Breathing in, I am a butterfly. Breathing out, I feel happy”. Already a Butterfly is recommended for children 5-9 years old but as an overworked, stressed out adult I found peace on the pages of this book. Spread your worker-bee Mom wings and introduce “Mari Posa” (cleverly Butterfly in Spanish) to your children. A sense of promise, rejuvenation and inner confidence is here for the taking.
More about Meditation and Mindfulness:
The English word “meditation” stems from the Latin meditatum meaning “to ponder”. The practice of meditation began thousands of years ago, before the birth of modern civilization. According to Time Magazine, archaeologists date meditation back to as early as 5,000 BCE. “The practice has religious ties in ancient Egypt and China, as well as Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism.” It wasn’t until the 20th century that meditation began to become popular in the West.
According to Headspace, meditation is about training in awareness. You’re learning to observe your thoughts and feelings while gaining a healthy sense of judgement-free perspective. Mindfulness is the ability to be present and fully engaged in the here and now. Both meditation and mindfulness take a lot of practice but the benefits are abundant.
Already a Butterfly from publisher Henry Holt and Co. is available at major book retailers.