Amazon Mushroom Hollow Category:  Children Publisher: Mushroom Hollow Press ISBN-10:  0615241859 Type: Fiction Pages: 32 Copyright: Jan 1, 2009 ISBN-13: 9780615241852 Children's Picture Storybook and guide to the chakras. This is a children's picture book using mixed-media (watercolor/pastel/pencil).  It is a storybook following 7 everyday kids through a weekend of their lives, while giving a glimpse of the seven chakras and using them as themes for each of the 7 vignettes.

Hartford Yoga Examiner
Seven Spirals: A Chakra Sutra for Kids is a wondrous book that is right for all ages. Authors Deena Haiber and Aimee MacDonald have combined fantastical and wildly colorful images with a simple story of seven kids through a seemingly normal day. Combining their pictures with an approachable story to enlighten children and their parents to the meaning of the seven chakras was a wise choice. The book is suitable for children of most ages from three to 10 years. Younger children may fascinate on the vivid and colorful imagery, while older children can engage in a conversation about the seven “wheels of energy located along the spine.”

Haiber and MacDonald tell a sweet story while tapping into the essence of each of the chakras. For example, root chakra is told as tree reminding a girl of her home base, her needs being met and her comfort. While younger children may not be able to grasp the idea of a “chakra” or internal energy per se, they can certainly understand how a warm bed and food can make you feel at home. The authors provide wonderful jumping off points for discussing nature, home, fears and comfort. The deeper meanings behind the chakras are readily available to all levels to appreciate. One other wonderful bonus included by the authors is a description of each chakra and its location which readers can find on the final page of the book. Parents can use this guide to go through the body with their children and discuss all the meanings found in the book as well.

While the story is sweet and the meanings are deep, the stars of this book are the pictures. Reading the book to children will illicit “oohs” and “aahs” on every page. The authors gloriously illustrate their tale with pictures that are bright and fanciful, and flowing with every color in the rainbow. The pictures are the glue that holds children to the tale, and will keep them coming back to look over and over again.

Seven Spirals: A Chakra Sutra for Kids will appeal to all ages on a story and visual level. The book provides openings for child creativity and for discussions. It would be a fantastic addition to any library.

Nancy Alder
Hartford Yoga Examiner
October 15, 2009