While I enjoyed this book it's not one I would purchase for myself or my Library. I really enjoyed that Femi and his Grandmother talk about mindfulness, different aspects of science, and that it's okay if his science fair project doesn't work the way he wants. The illustrations are amazing, the writing voice is great, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.

(spoilers below)



The part the lost me is when he adjusts his machine into a mindfulness machine...I didn't pick up on how the change was made and why everything then worked. The power of friendship? Blowing bubbles? I don't know how Femi being mindful won a science far. I think it would have been beneficial if he lost the fair, but used mindfulness to help regulate his emotions and then congratulate the winner(s).

Thank you for the arc in exchange for my honest review. This was a cute story that teaches how to handle uncomfortable feelings. I like how it normalizes identifying feelings and emotions, like nervousness in the tummy, and how deep breathing can help. The connection between blowing on the tea and blowing the windmill science experiment to settle nerves was clever. The storyline itself was a little weak, but I like the overall message this story conveys.

I thought the story was beautiful and imaginative! The illustrations were stunning. I loved the theme and story overall; I feel it’s inclusive, diverse, and creative. Perfect addition to any teacher’s library. Thinking as a teacher and from the viewpoint of reading it to my students, at times I found the author’s writing style a little challenging to follow. Overall meaning, easy to understand the point, but the style of writing and word choice impacted the flow in my opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley and DK for the ARC of this magnificent mindfulness book!

My kids are so hesitant to approach mindfulness techniques, so I keep trying to introduce them with picture books. This one was lovely; from the diversity of the characters to the message of mindfulness to the illustrations. I think it did a great job of introducing a way to calm down when you are anxious, to work with friends, and to slow down.

I wish I could give this book a million stars because WOW was it good! I definitely needed this book as a child and I'm excited to see how the children at my library react to this book and the parents too.

We loved this book! My 6 year old enjoyed it and wanted to read a second time. The illustrations are beautiful and it teaches wonderful mindfulness tools and life lessons. The characters are diverse and the only caregiver presented was the main characters grandma- we love stories with diverse families! 5⭐️s. Can’t wait to buy our copy! Many thanks to NetGalley, DK Children, and the author for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is an absolutely great book for school aged children. My kids loved it (ages 4 & 6)
The illustrations were fun and colorful. The story was simple with some great valuable life lessons like what to do when you are anxious. It talks about working together and slowing down. You can tell a lot of love went into creating this book. This would make a great edition to any classroom or school library. Thank you Netgalley for sharing this book with us in exchange for our honest review.

I read this with my 7 year old and we both absolutely adored it. The concept of learning mindfulness and deep breathing was so present, but written in an entertaining way that my kiddo didn’t feel like she was learning. And I didn’t find it too overwhelming or complicated. The main “hidden” concept was relatable and showcased in an easy, func eye catching story. The illustrations were beautifully done, and helped keep attention as the story went on.

A cute book that teaches children the concept of mindfulness. Femi is really nervous about his science fair project, but his grandma teaches him about mindfulness and about how you do things matters. This was a cute book that I thought had a great message!

This was a great story for school age children! A wonderful lesson that can be used anywhere in their life. The artwork is simply amazing! So detailed

There’s so much to admire in this children’s book: success at the school science fair, diverse people with black main characters who save the day, and a lesson on dealing with anxious feelings. I did have to look up where that unfamiliar name Femi came from, though. It’s a unisex name from Nigeria which means “love me”.

I love a children’s book and this one is super cute. It would be appropriate and inspiring for the child in your life in either a classroom or home setting. This book also teaches some coping strategies to increase mindfulness and manage anxiety! Love it!

This book was absolutely adorable, and I loved the life lesson it taught! learnung to work together and ask for help us a very important skill.

Femi is a young boy that experiences anxious thoughts surrounding his science fair project. He has created a wind machine, but unfortunately, it doesn't always work. This stresses him until he learns about mindfulness from his grandmother over a cup of her specially-made hot chocolate. She teaches him the importance of slowing down and using breathing techniques, and he is shocked that it helps a little. At the science fair, he even uses his newfound skills to help quell his classmates' worries and is amazed when they collectively get the machine to work!

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I've seen in a long time. The images are all vivid, and the backgrounds are cozy. This book would be a great introduction to anxiety and anxious thoughts and how to manage them. The introduction to STEM skills is also a great way to get littles interested in the concept of science at a young age. All in all, I highly recommend this book.

Femi and The Mindfulness Machine follows Femi who is worried about his science fair project not working when the time comes to present. It is a very relatable story with a good message to teach children how to handle their anxiety.

Femi is getting ready for the science fair. He has made a wind machine that takes the air and a windmill and generates the energy to lift up a cup. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. He is nervous about the science fair, and his grandmother gives him some bubbles to help him remember to breathe. It will calm his nerves.

When the machine doesn't work at school, Femi and some of his other classmates get nervous about their projects, and they break out the bubbles. The bubbles help Femi's machine work! This is a wonderful story about dealing with and overcoming anxiety, realizing that others face anxiety too, and includes a fun STEM project. These is a great book for kids with lots of different interests. It was wonderful to see all the kids together actually making it work. Lovely illustrations, too. Team work makes the dream work! ❤️

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advanced review copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review on the book!