The Lemonade Hurricane: A Story of Mindfulness and Meditation

by Licia Morelli, Jennifer E. Morris (Illustrator)

Overview

* 2016 Maine Literary Award Winner - Best Children's Book *
* Selected as Notable Social Studies Trade Book For Young People 2016, a cooperative Project of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children's Book Council*
* Gelett Burgess Honor Book *

Emma doesn't really like hurricanes. After a busy day of school and activities, Emma likes to sit still and rest. Her little brother, Henry, does everything but. She calls him The Lemonade Hurricane.

Henry is a lot of fun when he's not storming through the house, so Emma decides to teach him how to be still. By showing him how to sit, bow, and breathe, Emma is able to calm the hurricane within Henry.

• A perfect introduction to meditation for young readers, presented in a captivating story.
• The illustrations bring the story to life with delightful whimsy.
• Includes a back-of-book presentation of simple mindfulness techniques that can be shared at home and in the classroom.
• In Planting Seeds, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teaches that by sitting still and meditating, the mind can become clear. Like Hanh's apple juice story, when a glass of lemonade is stirred, the pulp swirls around. When it sits quietly, the pulp settles and the liquid becomes clear. In this way, a glass of lemonade is a metaphor for how meditation and mindfulness work. That is why this book is called The Lemonade Hurricane. Practicing mindfulness and meditation helps us tame the hurricane within.

Fountas & Pinnell Level L

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780884483960
Publisher:	Tilbury House Publishers
Publication date:	09/01/2015
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	113,346
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Licia Morelli is an internationally recognized life coach, writer, and clairvoyant psychic who lives with her husband and two young children on the coast of Maine. Her work has been published in The Elephant Journal and other publications. This is her first book.

Jennifer E. Morris is the author and illustrator of May I Please Have a Cookie?, Please Write Back! (combined sales over 1 million copies) and The Lemonade Hurricane as well as other children’s books. She also illustrates children's magazines, greeting cards, party ware, and educational materials and is the recipient of the Don Freeman Memorial Grant awarded by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Jennifer lives in rural Massachusetts with her husband and two children.

What People are Saying About This

Elena Brower

Every now and again a children's book comes along that efficiently sheds light on the practices of meditation and mindfulness in a way that makes it all more accessible, both for kids and adults. Lemonade Hurricane is the nickname of one of the two siblings whom we'll meet in this lovely book; one meditates, one will learn the value of meditation during the story. Super sweet, this short, understandable look at how we can all approach our sittings with clarity and simplicity is a perfect gift for kids everywhere. And any kids book that inspires me to sit myself down upon reading is priceless... --Elena Brower in Teach.yoga

Colette Baron-Reid

Licia Morelli has crafted a joyous offering introducing playful mindfulness meditation strategies for active kids. All parents should read this book to their children and show them how to do it! --Colette Baron-Reid, bestselling author of The Map: Finding the Magic and Meaning in the Story of Your Life

Lori Deschene

Fun and educational, The Lemonade Hurricane is the perfect introduction to mindfulness. --Lori Deschene, Founder, TinyBuddha.com

Dougall Fraser

Licia Morelli may just be the Mary Poppins of meditation! The Lemonade Hurricane is an insightful, funny and grounding story that will guide children to finding their center and peace of mind. --Dougall Fraser, Author of But You Knew That Already

Marie Forleo

Lemonade Hurricane is so sweet and well done. Perfect for any parents who want to give their kids a lifelong habit of strength, peace and compassion. --Marie Forleo, founder of MarieTV and MarieForleo.com

Editorial Reviews

06/01/2015
Emma is a meditation pro, and it’s a good thing—her younger brother, Henry (aka the “Lemonade Hurricane”), has energy to spare. Sometimes that energy makes him “wild”: Morris shows Henry swinging from curtains, kicking down Emma’s toy castle, and whacking her with a pillow. Initially frustrated (“I really don’t like hurricanes”), Emma helps Henry understand how meditation can be calming; Emma pictures herself atop a faraway mountain, while Henry imagines himself balancing on an elephant. Closing notes on practicing mindfulness and meditation offer tips for readers, be they Emmas or Henrys. Though a tad optimistic, it’s a useful reminder of the patience involved in being a good sibling. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Every now and again a children's book comes along that efficiently sheds light on the practices of meditation and mindfulness in a way that makes it all more accessible, both for kids and adults. Lemonade Hurricane is the nickname of one of the two siblings whom we'll meet in this lovely book; one meditates, one will learn the value of meditation during the story. Super sweet, this short, understandable look at how we can all approach our sittings with clarity and simplicity is a perfect gift for kids everywhere. And any kids book that inspires me to sit myself down upon reading is priceless..."

Teach.yoga - Elena Brower

"Lemonade Hurricane is so sweet and well done. Perfect for any parents who want to give their kids a lifelong habit of strength, peace and compassion."

Marie Forleo

"Licia Morelli has crafted a joyous offering introducing playful mindfulness meditation strategies for active kids. All parents should read this book to their children and show them how to do it!"

Colette Baron-Reid

2015-05-18
Emma teaches Henry by example how to meditate and be mindful, especially after he has quenched his thirst and subsequently wound himself up with sugary lemonade. Narrator Emma opens the story meditating quietly with other children her age on mats. The room is a soothing, cool blue. A page turn shows younger brother Henry, red cup of lemonade in hand, hanging from orange drapes with copious evidence of his out-of-control behavior behind him. "Henry likes to run, wrestle, and roar, and drink lemonade. I call him The Lemonade Hurricane." The story continues with examples of Henry's rambunctiousness but also shows times when he is constructively engaged. Some readers will believe he is just a regular, active boy, but the story places emphasis on the negative effects of sugar. Hoping to quiet Henry, Emma shows him how to "Sit. Bow. Breathe." In time Henry gives it a try and successfully calms himself by pretending "he is on top of an elephant and has to bow really slowly so he does not fall off." Morris' ink-and-watercolor illustrations present a likable pair of Caucasian sibs; modulations in her palette accompany quietly fanciful imagery as Emma's lessons in meditation take hold. Extensive notes provide practical information and summarize a story from Thicht Naht Hanh that inspired this title. A child-friendly introduction to the practice of meditation and the benefits of mindfulness. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews

"Fun and educational, The Lemonade Hurricane is the perfect introduction to mindfulness."

Lori Deschene

"Licia Morelli may just be the Mary Poppins of meditation! The Lemonade Hurricane is an insightful, funny and grounding story that will guide children to finding their center and peace of mind."

Dougall Fraser