El árbol más feliz

Un cuento sobre yoga
By Uma Krishnaswami, Ruth Jeyaveeran
Paperback: $12.95

In Spanish. Meena is excited about the class play, a new and improved version of Red Riding Hood.

Front cover for The Happiest Tree by Uma Krishnaswami and Ruth Jeyaveeran
This book is also available in English
The Happiest Tree
By Uma Krishnaswami, Ruth Jeyaveeran

Description

Meena is excited about writing and making sets for the class play, an “improved” version of Red Riding Hood. But when her teacher insists Meena be one of the trees in the forest, she is miserable. “I can’t,” Meena says. “I’m too clumsy.”

The next day at the Indian store with her mother, Meena sees a yoga class underway in the back. Soon Mrs. Vohra, the owner, convinces Meena to try the new children’s class. Over time Meena learns to breathe slowly and deeply-in, and out-and to make herself quiet inside. She learns to move in smooth, slow movements. But at school during play rehearsals, Meena still has trouble being a quiet, steady tree.

The night of the play, Meena trips on her branches as she walks onstage. Drawing on what she learned in yoga class, Meena quiets herself and begins to move slowly and carefully. Turning near disaster into triumph, she becomes the happiest tree in the forest.

Meena esta emocionada de estar trabajando con su clase en una versión “mejorada” de La Caperucita Roja. Pero cuando su maestra insiste que Meena sea uno de los árboles, se pone muy descontenta.

El siguiente día cuando está en la tienda india con su máma, Meena ve una clase de yoga en progreso al fondo. Dentro de poco la señora Vohra, la dueña de la tienda, convience a Meena a que trate la nueva clase para niños. Con tiempo, Meena aprende respirar lentamente y profundamente–adentro y afuera–para poder ponerse quieta por dentro. Aprende a usar movimientos despacios y fluidos. Pero durante los ensayos para la obra, Meena todavia batalla con ser un árbol quieto y firme.

La noche del estreno de la obra, Meena se tropieza en sus propias ramas caminando al escenario. Usando lo que aprendió en la clase de yoga, Meena se aquieta y empieza a moverse despacio y fluidamente. Convertiendo un casi desastre a un triúnfo, se vuelve el árbol más feliz del bosque.

About the Creators

Uma Krishnaswami

Uma Krishnaswami was born in India and now lives in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Her novel, Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh, won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. Uma has been nominated twice for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. She teaches in the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Visit her online at umakrishnaswami.com.

Ruth Jeyaveeran

Ruth Jeyaveeran is the author and illustrator of The Road to Mumbai, praised by School Library Journal as a "lively romp across India." Much of Jeyaveeran's fine art and illustration work is inspired by her South Asian heritage, so she felt an immediate connection to this story. Jeyaveeran lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Awards

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

  • CCBC Choices

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781620141496
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Mar 01, 2008
  • Trim Size 7.75 × 9.75 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 32
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / United States / Asian American
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations
  • Themes Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Classroom Activities, Conflict resolution, Courage, Dreams & Aspirations, Empathy / Compassion, Fiction, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Mothers, Overcoming Obstacles, Pride, Realistic Fiction, Self Control / Self Regulation
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 5 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades K - 5
  • Guided Reading N
  • Spanish Guided Reading N
  • DRA 30
  • Interest Level Grades K - 5
  • Reading Level Grades 2 - 3
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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