When Mr.
Gentleheart rang the singing bowl and said, "I love my breath and my
breath loves me...," April wonders. She just began to understand that
mindfulness is pretty cool and helps her calm but she’s not sure where, when,
and how it happens. I wanted to capture that this mystery of mindfulness is
normal. Curiosity is the key for life long learners after all.
I started this
project while I was teaching in a 5th grade classroom. Mindfulness stimulates
our brains during every day learning. A little extra curiosity helps student's
learning experiences bring them to a much deeper level. So, I incorporated my
interaction with students and my learning experiences with my own teachers when
I was young.
Fortunately, I was
able to collaborate with such a talented illustrator, Charity Russel, and the
project was going well. Then, in the middle of everything, COVID-19 hit.
Schools were closed and we needed to stay healthy at home. It meant for my 5th
graders, that they could not see their friends in person, no outdoor camping,
no transitional activities for middle school, no graduation from elementary
school, and more. I experienced a certain level of grief as well, as I
empathized with my students in my own way.
Eventually, this
vision came very clear in my mind, what if I can give my books away to my
students as graduation gifts? They will always remember when someone thinks of
them when they see this book. The book reminds them of memories that we shared.
Where My Breath Loves Me can make connections between losses and hopes.
By publishing this
book, I hope my book will reach as many children as possible so that they will
discover that their strength is in themselves. And at a personal level, I would
like to send this message directly to my students. That's why I set up a
kickstarter.
I invite you to
chip in to this kickstarter project. Your support will bring happiness and
strength into many children's lives especially during this unique time in
history. Thank you for your consideration.
