Press Reviews

• Red Reading Hub blog by Jill Bennett

  As both a long standing primary school teacher and an experienced teacher of yoga to young children I can wholeheartedly recommend this book. The author has extensive experience of teaching yoga to children, in particular those with autism spectrum disorders and so he provides concise, easy to follow guidance for teachers and other adults wanting to use his techniques... Sarah Peacock's painting of the characters are great fun and beautifully portray the emotions .

• BACP Children & Young People

  There is much to learn from the simple story in this beautifully presented children's book, which aims to teach the basics of yoga and relaxation and enhance children's problem-solving skills through a more clearly focused mind... The book includes guidance for teachers and parents... it can be a delightful book for parents to read with children especially at times of stress or adversity... The book could be used for pre-schoolers (and possibly even younger if slightly adapted) and up to pre-teenage years ... It can also be used for children with special needs... I really liked this book as a tool for therapist. It would be great for practitioners and therapists to keep in the therapy room.

• Tara Fraser, Director of Yoga Junction and author of Yoga for You and The Easy Yoga Workbook

  I love Michael's honest and direct approach to teaching yoga to children. His experience and dedication to supporting children through yoga are distilled in this lovely nutshell of a book. Ladybird's Remarkable Relaxation is the real deal, yoga nidra simply and entertainingly presented for big and small people alike. A delightful story with a powerful message, supported by a simple, practical exercise for children to do for themselves. Perfect.

• Shirley Osbourne, special needs teacher

  Ladybird's Remarkable Relaxation, is a beautiful, multi-layered book that can be enjoyed at a variety of levels with learners both young and old. It is primarily a teaching book which uses yoga to help youngsters deal with difficult issues such as how to cope with workload, bullying and even bereavement. The relaxation techniques are easy to follow and the script appropriate for learners of all ages. The artwork is delightful, filled with vibrant colours and expressive animals. Ladybird's Remarkable Relaxation is designed to be read and enjoyed again and again.

• Angela Tuck, yoga teacher with a background in education and nursing

  As an experienced yoga teacher of many years standing, I have purchased and read many books on yoga. This new book is a real joy, so refreshing and user-friendly. It has wonderful illustrations, is well considered and presented, and deals sensitively with issues such as bullying, prejudice, bereavement and anxiety. The teacher's notes are superb. I enjoyed Frog's Speech but Ladybird is even better. Roll on Book 3!

• Rachel Ottery, special needs teacher in the primary sector

  Michael's book begins with a concise and informative section outlining the principles and aims of Ladybird relaxation. The guidelines are user-friendly and easy to transfer to the classroom. The characters are beautifully drawn with attention to the facial expressions. Children can easily relate to the issues faced by the characters and Ladybird guides them through the story by demonstrating the relaxation technique. The focus throughout the book is one of self-help, and how this principle can be applied to any problem.

• Jan Downey, primary school teacher

  This is a wonderfully written and gorgeously illustrated book. The author's gentle and subtly humorous style is complemented beautifully by the illustrations, making this book perfect for sharing with your children. Beyond the lovely story though, lies an important life skill - relaxation. The author even provides detailed guidance for those of us who are unfamiliar with yoga teaching techniques, giving us all the confidence to help our children relax.

• Healthy Books blog

  Based on yoga techniques, this picture book will be a wonderful resource for helping children relax both in a school situation and at home... the illustrations of four anxious friends and the little Ladybird who helps them are wonderfully drawn, full of life and colour and add a great deal to a lively text. The four little animals have problems... and finding that while they are relaxed they are able to come up with some ways of helping solve their problem... Relaxation is an important skill to be able to call up when needed, and I fell sure that the little Ladybird and her friends will go a long way to helping children do just that.

• Play Therapy

  The picture book begins with a helpful guidance section for parents and teachers in which he outlines the many benefits of teaching children relaxation and the many different ways that the book could be used. The main characters of the book are animals... Ladybird listens carefully to each of their concerns or worries and then lets them know he has come up with a plan that will help them all - Ladybird's Remarkable Relaxation!... Each of the characters agree to practice the technique on their own and then they reflect upon their journey noting a different perspective or way of responding to their experiences and generally feeling more happy... This book would be a useful resource for use in both mainstream and special needs schools.