Finding Om is a beautifully written children’s book which tells the story of Anu, an Indian-African girl, who explores the mantra Om with her grandfather, Appuppa.
Throughout this book, Anu begins to discover various techniques of mindfulness.
I think this book is a fantastic book for young children. Nowadays there is so much anxiety within young children and I think this book is a really great guide on how they can deal with their emotions.
I am hoping to study Early Childhood Education in university later in the year and I think this book will be a great tool in working with children.
Thank you to Netgally for providing me with a copy of this book to review.

Finding Om
by Rashmi S. Bismark, M.D., M.P.H.
A young girl wants to find out what her Appuppa is doing, she finds that he is meditating, and using a very old word that will help her to refocus her mind, making her more creative, and connected to the world. Its a beautiful explanation for kids to learn about this meditation practice and understand that they can learn self control too.

4 Stars for Finding Om: A needed niche book that fills a demand fairly well, with delightful bright art to accompany.

This is a book needed in the market, a way to explain about mindfulness with a focus on the simple OM syllable as mantra, and to define what is mantra, and what is its purpose.

Yet I am not giving 5 stars because in its attempt to target young children age 5+ (it's stated category, and the art style's successful category targeting) it slightly fails with its verbiage. Instead it reads like simple instructions given to teenagers or adults, but accompanied with childhood art.

True, we can speak to young children as we talk to older teens and adults, but to captivate a young mind while reading, things could have been phrased a bit more on target for the audience. It does appear that the expert subject matter teaching canon that the author pulls together here has been lightly repackaged for the young mind with accompanying art, and the prose could have been done a bit better, perhaps with the consult of a child psychologist or even a young grade school teacher as team member for this creation.

Example, book passage: "Confident in the wisdom she uncovered and holding the spirit of OM softly in her heart, she paid attention with kindness and care to everything that happened next." I picture myself sitting next to a 5 year old reading this sentence, and cannot see a 5-year old who's interest hasn't waned in that moment. I picture this possible event and see that I am not holding their attention with this phrasing of concepts. Better would have been a setup to something like "Anu felt confident now! She didn't feel afraid or nervous anymore! And she was nicer to her sister and friends, because she felt happy." An active simple voice appeals to the young mind more deeply. It allows the young mind to process deep concepts while not getting tangled up in phrasing that is not so direct.

There is a time for young minds to process the clear meaning of more complex phrasing, but it is not while processing complex ideas, for age 5.

Yet a parent could translate this book in that manner to present these concepts to a young mind. For that reason I still recommend this book. The progression of concepts to reach a meditative mind is there, simple enough for a teen or adult to capture, and the art is lively and beautiful for a young child. It's all there, presented with a diverse cast, and with an adult to translate into the style their child can process, this is a good meal indeed.

Good effort, recommended.

A little wordy for a picture book, but the illustrations are VERY adorable and I don't think there are very many similar books introducing this concept for children.

I truly enjoyed the centered mindfulness that envelops this book. The text simplifies what can be a difficult topic for children and even adults to grasp. It did a wonderful job describing meditation in a clear and understandable way. I also loved the illustrations, they were bright and colorful and invoked a perfect amount of "om". I would for recommend this to friends and family in my life with children and I know they would like it very much.

Finding Om is a beautifully illustrated book about mindfulness. While mindfulness and om are tough concepts to wrap your head around, even as an adult, this book breaks it down well. The narrative attached will make it easier for children to conceptualize as well. I loved the gorgeous illustrations, and the diversity in characters included in this book. This is definitely a good one to have in home libraries.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I REALLY loved the art in this book! her hair is just too cute! I read this book because I was just curious about it and its not really my cup of tea bc Its kinda lengthy for younger kids but great for kids over 7 imo

This was so adorable. The illustrations were so beautiful I was in awe the whole time. I loved that this was about a little girl discovering mediation and bonding with her grandpa. This was so wonderful to read, I loved every part.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for sending me a free copy of this book.

Finding Om is a beautiful way to explain the power of Om as a mantra and its connection to ourselves and the Universe. This book will surely help children learn to meditate and see the peace and wonder this practice can inspire.”

It helps you increase your concentration and memory .It is also good for health.


This mantra also takes us to the cultural heritage we inherit from our ancestors.

This is a great book for teachers and parents to share with their kids! The author does an excellent job of explaining meditation mantras in kid friendly terms. I especially appreciated the author addressing how minds can wander, but OM can help to refocus. This book will help children seeking peace and looking for ways to find calmness in life. An excellent addition to any social emotional learning curriculum!

This book is fantastic! It is a great book about the meaning of OM. The illustrations are beautiful. I love the information it provides about being one with self and the meaning of OM. I would use this for a cool down or a break to get the students settled. I would also recommend it to the school counselor to help student who may need help with finding their center and relaxing. This is a book i would recommend for k-5 cassrooms.

This was a beautiful way to teach children about mindfulness and how to take time out. I really enjoyed the topics it covered and took the message away myself and hope my child will too!

Finding Om is a beautiful way to introduce another culture to children 5+. It’s the perfect bedtime story that begins teaching about mindfulness and meditation.

Anu learns about the mantra OM from her Appuppa, grandfather. It’s a fun exploration of one mantra used in meditation. Anu is presented as this beautifully inquisitive Indian African girl. Dr. Bismark gives us a glimpse into a multi-cultural families practices in a fun way all children can enjoy. She also has a magical way of passing Anu’s inquisitiveness to the reader from the beginning. In conjunction with Morgan Huff’s vibrant illustrations, papers, as well as children, are sure to love this story. A magnificent introduction to connecting with nature and living in the moment.

https://sognibellaco.com/bloggers-delight/2020/4/10/finding-om-by-rashmi-s-bismark-md-mph

This book was such a nice way to be introduced to meditation! Since it is not a practice in my own religion my understanding of it has always been lacking and this was a nice cute way to make everything fit together.

Free digital arc for a review. This book was very cute and very short. I found the illustrations to be beautiful. If you are trying to teach your young child about meditation and mindfulness I would definetly recommend this book.

This is a perfect book for children and would serve as a good reminder for adults as well. It teaches children about mindfulness and overcoming anxiety. A perfect story with beautiful illustrations.

This book was absolutely adorable! I loved how it teaches kids to find their inner peace and how to explore being present in the moment. It explores what it means to be mindful, how children can explore this from a young age, and how it's okay for your mind to wander but when you notice it, you bring it back to silence. It also shows a family of color which I really loved!

This book is centered on a girl who discovers meditation and mindfulness by learning plenty from her grandfather's use of Om. The illustrations are amazing. I've never encountered a picture book like this, so it's definitely unique. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

What a beautiful, and meaningful book! I absolutely love this one, and can't wait to get a physical copy and share with others. The illustrations are serene and colorful, and invoke a feeling of peace along with the words. I think it's a wonderful introduction to the practice of mindfulness and peace. The age level is definitely over 5, as the story is a little long to hold the attention of younger children. Overall, a lovely story with a positive and important message!

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Mango and Marigold Press in exchange for an honest review.

I do not practice meditation, but I found this book did a great job of explaining meditation, mantras, and OM, I learned a lot throughout this book. This book would be a great way to introduce relaxation and meditation to children. I love the illustrations, the colours are vibrant and muted at the same time, beautiful.

#FindingOm #NetGalley