Everyone should have a friend like Mop in their lives. This curly-haired kid is quirky and care-free, but he knows when to stand up for himself and when to say sorry. Plus, he surfs, and we all know surfers are super rad. But what we learn from Mop is probably most valuable–lessons from the ocean that can be applied to life on land.
"Mop Rides the Waves of Life" is a children's book by surfer-dad Jaimal Yogis. The story takes you through a week in the life of a surf grom, who faces everything from school bullies to serious cereal setbacks. But through the guidance of his surf mama and the wisdom of the ocean, he evolves into a rather sagacious little surfer dude. Mop teaches us how to ride the waves of life by connecting his experiences as a surfer with the everyday obstacles that come his way.
This is a book that will grow with our two-year-old daughter, who now looks forward to practicing meditative breathing and pretend-surfing alongside this fun-loving character. When she's older, this book will hopefully engage our daughter in new ways, as she begins to understand the lessons of patience and courage that Mop brings back with him from the ocean. He shows us how to turn wipeouts into opportunities and how no wave is ever perfect. You just have to go with the flow.
These lessons are captured brilliantly through Matthew Allen's vibrant illustrations. Mop's trusty yellow board is the vehicle that takes him through the undulations of life. The rows of waves rolling to shore depict the highs and lows of the journey; there'll be successes, and there'll be failures. The illustrations were also a nice balance for readers of any age. They were simple enough for a toddler to understand but also detailed enough for the surfers at heart to mind-surf the peeling lefts and rights.
"Mop Rides the Waves of Life" is a charming book that encourages us to dip our feet into the vast ocean of mindful living. It's a nice reminder to go with the tides and navigate life's challenges with calm and soothing breaths. But mostly, it's a book that gifts us the friendship of a cool and fun-loving dude named Mop, who will guide us through the waves of life.
Mop Rides the Waves of Life // Children's book about mindfulness and surfing // https://jaimalyogis.net/mop-rides-the-waves-of-life/
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