"Finding Om" is a a lovely, special book by Dr. Rashmi Bismark. In this book, a little girl named Anu learns from her grandfather about the practice of meditation. When Anu asks her grandfather, Appupppa, about his chanting "Om," he provides her with a thoughtful explanation and begins to teach her about the practice of meditation. The beautiful illustrations help draw the reader into the story about Anu and her grandfather as she learns about the connection of Om to the universe, practices meditation, and learns to share it with others.

I've read other books that introduce children to the practice of mindfulness and mediation but what is special about "Finding Om" is its multi-generational context and connection to Anu's own cultural heritage. The book introduces meditation concepts in a developmentally appropriate manner in the way that Appuppa takes into consideration his granddaughter's young age when he explains things. For example, when Anu says that the word Om makes a buzzing sound on her lips, he tells her that Om is like nature's own vibration like the sound of the universe, buzzing with life.

Educators know that the incorporation of mindfulness into children's daily routines supports early brain development in young children as it invites calm, encourages attention and self-awareness, and promotes curiosity. When children are paying attention "on purpose", they notice what is happening in their world with greater clarity and detail. This charming and thoughtful book is a wonderful introduction to to the practice of meditation for children, parents, and educators.

I read this book with my six year old daughter. We loved this book. The pictures and the story were adorable, vibrant and sweet.

This book does a great job explaining meditation. Anu learns what a mantra is and what Om is.

This would be a great book for classrooms to discuss how to calm down, mediate and reflect on the world around them. I definitely could use this technique myself to stay calm while quarantined with two daughters who are currently being homeschooled. Yikes!

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Finding Om by Rashmi S. Bismark, M.D., M.P.H. Illustrated by Morgan Hull. Mango and Marigold Press. Children’s Fiction. Multicultural Interest. Publication date set for 12 May 2020. ISBN: 9781645433873. 5 Stars.

The first thing that struck me about this book is what gorgeous illustrations Finding Om has! Chanting the OM with meditation for kids and its effects is a journey of self-discovery as we follow a little Indian-African girl and her meditating Grandpa, her “Appuppa”. This is a unique read with simple-to-understand instructions embedded within the text should your young one want to try it out. It even includes a small glossary. If your child has only a few books, let this be one of them! Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mango and Marigold Press for providing a digital ARC edition of this book for review.

This is a wise and unique book, full of inspiration.
I like how the concept of mindfulness and meditation is presented to children. The illustrations are really cute and I love the bright color palette.
I hope it will be published also in Italy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is beautifully written the illustrations helping to bring the words to life.
I learnt a lot more from this book than I thought I would , I knew a little about meditation but this book thought me why it is practiced.
I would recommend this book to anyone aside from teaching it is just a lovely book to read.

A beautifully illustrated story about a grandfather and granddaughter sharing in the mantra of mindfulness.

This is a very unique and absolutely beautiful story. We loved the story it told and the lesson it taught. In a world where everything moves fast and people never seem to stop and find their centre, it is nice to have a book that talks about peace and balance. We also really adore the illustrations and the way the book flowed.

*Thank you Netgally and the author for the gifted copy*

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and the story is cute. I think it would be a good book for helping kids center and become self aware.

I can't see it being a bedtime story as it is a bit "wordy". It would be great for younger kids or childcare centers to use in a calming circle.

FINDING OM by Rashmi S. Bismark is a good read aloud in elementary classrooms. Young readers are introduced to the world of OM and how it relates to mindfulness and meditation. The relationship between Anu and her Appuppa is a lovely way of exploring these concepts. A concern is the back matter, which is focused more toward an older audience versus young readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mango and Marigold Press for providing a digital ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

A little girl, Anu, hears her grandfather chant OM and becomes curious about "nature's vibration". This is a cute book that helps explain to children the purpose of meditation and being self-aware. It is very much a nonfiction picture book as opposed to a whimsical storytime book. The illustrations are beautiful. I think it will provide gentle instruction for my daughter to help her find calmness and inner-peace.

A gentle picture book about mediation including how and the benefits from doing it.

It’s not a storytime read aloud IMO, but a great choice for the contemplative child.

It could accompany a yoga storytime.

This novel is one of the best I’ve read this year! The characters are so dynamic yet relatable. I loved the flow of the story. It held my attention the whole time.. It’s perfect for children!!!!!

Finding Om is an exceptional children's book with its super cute illustrations and characters. I wanted to read this book to all the children out there and just enjoy the precious moments. I'd recommend this to everyone who wants to find inner peace with a mantra and just think about how easy it is to actually be happy. Even for a few minutes!

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.

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.