Tuesday 4 August 2020
Review: Mop Rides the Waves of Life
This picture book is the perfect way to address those feelings your children are currently experiencing.
Mop is just your everyday kid who loves to climb trees and surf a lot! Not just a little bit, but every spare moment Mop is riding the waves on his trusty yellow surfboard.
Doesn’t matter if Mop is paddling, duck diving or waiting for the perfect wave – being in the water is his safe place. Where nothing is a problem and all his troubles can be left on the shoreline.
Of course, life doesn’t work that way and even
though Mop likes school, some weeks are better than others. Mop is having a bad
week at school – being teased by his friend Toby at school makes Mop lash out
in anger and ends up with Toby being pushed into the sandbox. It didn’t make
Mop feel any better after he did that.
Then his other friend Izzy teased him about his
hair, his Mum made him clean out the car and on Thursday he ran out of his
favourite cereal – it was officially a bad week.
His mother notices Mop’s behaviour and talks to him
about mindfulness and how breathing instead of reacting can change your
feelings, perspective and the outcome of a situation.
Author Jaimal Yogis explains no wave is ever
perfect, instead you can turn wipeouts into opportunities. Falling and making
mistakes is part of life and that is the best way to learn. Make the most of
those happy moments or what makes us feel joy and peace.
Matthew Allen’s imagery of the waves and
insurmountable odds allows the nuances of life to be captured and overcome. Together
they deliver an empowering story that we can all appreciate.
Author: Jaimal Yogis
Illustrator: Matthew Allen
Publisher: Parallex Press, $29.99
Publication Date: 30 June 2020
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781946764607
For ages: 4 - 6
Type: Picture Book
