I found the digital ARC a bit difficult to get a real feel for but I still thought the cards were well done and could be so helpful for children. I am looking forward to seeing a physical set of cards.

Educational to transform emotions and empowerment of children

The activities proposed in each card are great, honestly they surpassed my expectations. The author resorts to the use of metaphors of nature, using a touch of wisdom and inviting children to observe, transform and re-balance through activities. If each activity is well guided, children can empower themselves and find their own inner sense and will realize the wisdom that resides in them.
Exercises can help children return to their center, align with their innate intelligence naturally, process negative emotions, take a moment after a difficult situation to resolve, or simply explore a deeper way of perceiving some facet of life. Also educators and schools could use them in group dynamics, to enrich the development of competences, emotional intelligence, attention and the acquisition of self-control.


My sincere appreciation to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book

I love this! I was provided with a digital version by the publisher for review, and I really want a physical deck for myself. This is geared toward children, but I think it would benefit people of all ages. Each card has a fun, bright illustration on one side, and an exercise on the other. There's a key phrase to focus on, and an exercise to perform, either mental or physical, to help with dealing with different thoughts and/or feelings. The deck includes a small booklet giving ideas on how to use the cards, and it would make for a good family activity. While children are the target audience for this, I feel there are more than enough activities to make this worthwhile to an adult, if you don't have kids. Definitely recommended!

#MonkeyMindMeditationDeck #NetGalley

I love the concept of this but the format for which the ARC was received was difficult to evaluate. I don't know how the final edition will be done but I hope it included more artwork.

I only had to read through the first few cards before I decided I need to buy a physical copy of this for my son and me. Each card has a meditative prompt that I think will really help you slow down.

I’d like to first of all sincerely apologize for the delay of my review for this, but also just want to state how thankful I am for it at a time like this.

The Monkey Mind Meditation Deck, written by Carolyn Kanjuro and illustrated by Alexander Vidal, is a box of 30 cards designed to help kids recognize and connect our human emotions in a uniquely creative way: it uses examples from the animal world and nature such as a sleeping bear or a river and implores our children to find the similarities within themselves or even in their peers.

Each card features a different theme and is accompanied by gorgeous, vivid illustrations.

Some of them have actual exercises for the child to take time out to do, some are thought provoking; but all of them have a very important reminder: ALL off your feelings are normal, and valid, and it’s okay. And here’s a little tool to help you through it.

I love that there’s finally something like this available for children to have more of an active part in the management of their emotional terrain.
Not only will it help them have a fun tool to use when they are needing a time-out or feeling sad, angry, or can’t place a feeling; but this could also be a great bonding tool between parent/child and could easily be implemented in caregiver or teacher settings as well.

I know this is targeted for children, but honestly, this could apply to ANYONE. I think anybody that took the time out to use these would undeniably benefit from it.
Many adults struggle immensely with processing emotions and dealing with stress. I know I do.

I nearly didn’t even submit this review. I’m currently away from home, preparing to say a heartbreaking goodbye to a loved one in hospice.
The past few months have made me acutely aware of my unhealthy emotional patterns and just how poor my coping skills really are.

I’ve been thinking about this deck literally every day, wishing I had a deck in my hands, if only to guide me away from my chattering brain for 5 minutes.

There’s one card that I keep thinking about. It’s just so special and important because it’s asking us to do the opposite of what we normally default to.
It’s the Rainbow card, and it addresses loss.
The idea is to make a point to set aside time to remember loved ones we’ve lost; what we appreciated about them, to keep them alive in us.
Often when we lose someone the grief encompasses everything and we eventually tend to suppress the memories to avoid the pain.
To focus on the good will train our brain to remember what’s REALLY important: the life itself.
Rainbows may not stay forever, we know this and it’s okay. That’s why we sure do appreciate them when they are here.

This has been on my mind so much lately. I really want to try so hard to remember this in the upcoming chapter of my life.

Special thanks to Shambhala Publications, Inc/ Bala Kids And Netgalley for the advanced copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Monkey mind has great meditation scenarios for young kids (elementary through middle school) that show then to practice mindfulness in fun, creative ways

Mom: Having practiced yoga for more than a decade, I learned how to deal with the “monkey mind” and how to refocus. When I saw this deck of cards aimed at children, I was very excited to let MyChild try it out.
Each card has a beautiful illustration on one side, with a fun activity on the back. The activities have a physical component blended with a mental- or emotion-based element.

MyChild: My favorite picture was the Butterfly one, but my favorite activity was the Wriggly Worm one. Wiggle, wiggle!
Mom: My favorite was the Hurricane card and activity.


Stars: 5
Would We Recommend? Yes

Do you know what the monkey mind is?  Does your child?  As I understand it, this is a concept that addresses our being all over the place, unable to focus on the moment or to live one's best and most peaceful life.  We all can use some assistance in learning to quiet ourselves and to be more present.  This deck hopes to help children, and maybe their adults, to do this by sharing some of the "playful and powerful qualities of animals and elements in nature as inspiration to discover these qualities in ourselves."  In a note to adults, the author states that the exercises are meant to provide a "safe way to reflect on difficult topics and a form of...support."  The author engages children by offering them multiple ways to use the cheerily illustrated deck.

I recommend these cards as one tool for helping children to think, feel and be as comfortable as possible in their lives.  Adults may well enjoy this deck too!


Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great little deck of cards to pick activities to calm the mind. Kids love meditating using their imagination. I used some meditations from this in my Kindergarten class and the kids really enjoyed them.

Beautiful, eye catching graphics and thoughtful suggestions combine to produce a delightful method for teaching young minds how to be... mindful! A wonderful introduction for inquisitive young minds.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

#MonkeyMindMeditationDeck #NetGalley

The Monkey Mind Mediation Deck by Carolyn Kanjuro is a wonderful tool with amazingly beautiful illustrations and wonderfully engaging activities. The meditation deck offers many different ways to use the cards. Additionally, each card had a colorful illustration, key phrase, summary, and three steps that make the deck activities accessible and engaging. The Monkey Mind Mediation Deck is a great way to introduce daily mindful activities to children.