School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Cartoon kids travel the world learning various yoga poses that have a name significant to a particular country, territory, or city (in the case of the letter X). Each letter of the alphabet is introduced with a greeting from that part of the world and is followed by a fact. "Cc is for China" opens with "Ni Hao" and introduces the Yangtze alligator; below this line of text a child is shown in the alligator pose. Colorful illustrations comprise about one-third of each page. The book may look familiar to those who have read 2009's The ABCs of Yoga for Kids by this very same author/illustrator team. More than two-thirds of the illustrations (including the accompanying text, with slight edits in a few cases) repeat in this edition. The "Bb Bird" entry from the earlier title is reproduced for "Ss is for Spain" with an additional line tying it to Spain. The text is informative, but Guam is mistakenly listed as an "island country" instead of as a territory. VERDICT Potentially useful, but an unnecessary purchase for most collections, especially ones that already have The ABCs of Yoga for Kids.-Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
This ABC picture book introduces yoga poses by linking them to specific countries. Starting with Australia and then moving through Brazil, Kenya, and Zimbabwe (Xi'an, the ancient Chinese capital, stands in for X), each page provides a greeting in an appropriate language plus a few localized facts that loosely connect to a specific yoga stance. Colorful illustrations of children model poses, and first-person rhymes beginning with I am . . . describe correct posture and breathing. The letter I bids us Namaste! from India, where the peacock is the national bird; a young boy models the peacock pose by sitting with his back straight, his legs spread apart as far as they can comfortably go, feeling the stretch from head to toe. Whether a cobra from Thailand or a waterfall from Zimbabwe, the movements are fun and easy to emulate. The familiar ABC pattern is nonthreatening and should help get kids moving while they gain basic familiarity with yoga. This engaging choice is meant for sharing, especially during family storytime.--McBroom, Kathleen Copyright 2017 Booklist
