“What a gem of a resource, offering an incredible weaving of contemplative wisdom and neuroscience into fun, easy-to-do, children-tested activities. These nourishing activities will equip our children with the much needed qualities of resilience, empathy, compassion and happiness.”—Diana Robertson, Pause, Breathe, Smile Facilitator, New Zealand’s national Mindfulness in Schools Program

“With the ever-increasing demands of daily life, we rarely just stop for a minute and be present in the ‘here’ and ‘now’. Awakening Joy for Kids provides an easy to follow, step-by-step guide for bringing mindfulness to the lives of children and even adults. It encourages children to appreciate the small things in life and to cultivate the skills necessary to deal with everyday stressors. It fosters a sense of self-awareness, empowerment, and compassion; skills that form the core of emotionally intelligent, socially conscious children. Providing a synergy of real life experiences coupled with scientifically proven strategies, Awakening Joy for Kids is nothing short of amazing! ”—Amanda Fernandes, Project Happiness, Trinidad

“Fresh.  Friendly.  Fantastic. Finally. In this era of testing and achievement, Michele and James give delightfully practical form and direction to educators, parents, and all of us humans who care about equipping our children (and ourselves) to lead joyful, resilient lives.  Simple and profound, Awakening Joy for Kids is an inoculation against the maladies of fear and hopelessness that come when we lose track of our inherent playfulness, creativity, and wisdom.  An easy, accessible reference that I will generously recommend.”—Ann McKnight, LMSW, ACSW, TEDx talk on Restorative Circles

“Weaving together the discoveries of contemporary science with the real needs of children in classrooms and beyond, the authors have gifted adults everywhere a treasured resource. Central to the message is that all human beings have light, and we adults have a profoundly important role in ensuring we nurture an awakening of joy so that each child can grow and be all they were intended to be. I love this book!”—Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, Discipline Without Damage