Reading this book with Ivy feels a little like meditation. The gentle words and muted colours calm us both, making it perfect for a snuggly read at the end of the day.
The gentle rhyme asks us to take time to be still and to observe the world around us. Listen to bird song. Feel the beat of your cat’s heart as it purrs. Look at the vastness of the sky and the stars. Listen to the waves as they lap the shore. It also encourages us to look deeply at each other and to find new ways to be kind and to cherish those around us.
The text is minimal but the illustrations speak a thousand words. Each double page spread shows a child from a different country observing their environment and there is so much detail to explore and discuss. We see diferent types of clothes and modes of transport, cultural traditions and breathtaking landscapes. The countries included are the UK, Alaska, Ecuador, Norway, Russia, Egypt, Tanzania, India, Nepal, China and Japan, so the range is really broad.
Ivy’s favourite element is the fact that each child has a keepsake or toy with them. These are shown on a map at the beginning of the book as well as featuring on the inner pages. She enjoys searching for them and asking questions about the items. She particularly likes the beautiful blossom being collected by a boy in Japan and the Matryoshka doll which the Russian girl carries.
Highy recommended if you’re looking to inject a little mindfulness in to your child’s daily routine.
Buy it now: https://lantanapublishing.com/collections/frontpage/products/taking-time
Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.