The Gift of the Broken Teacup

The Gift of the Broken Teacup: Poems of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Me
Illustrated by Jade Orlando
(Candlewick Press, 2025)
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Warm, witty poems by the acclaimed Allan Wolf bring mindfulness to the younger set—one simple, nurturing practice at a time.

Have you ever let your thoughts just float into the sky? Why is today the very best day of the year? And what does a broken teacup have to do with anything? In fresh, accessible poems about mindfulness and related themes, award-winning poet Allan Wolf takes on subjects from kindness to confidence, from finding peace in nature to letting your own joyful “YAWP!” be heard (thank you, Walt Whitman). Woven throughout are subtle how-to’s on meditation, breathwork, visualization, yoga, journaling, and more, as well as taking in others’ points of view, letting go of anger, and other invaluable elements of social-emotional learning.

“Accept the way you feel, and turn / your worry into wonder,” says the poet. This charming collection, animated by Jade Orlando’s bright illustrations, offers the tools and the inspiration to make that happen.

“In three sections of roughly equal length, oft-rhyming verse scans impeccably, the better to convey messages of perseverance and self-acceptance. . . . Orlando’s pictures beautifully complement Wolf’s poems, with plenty of animals, playful perspectives, and thoughtfully diverse depictions of children. A terrific exposition of mindfulness, perfectly distilled for curious kids.”
— Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Through prose and rhythm, these 30 poems explore profound yet accessible themes, such as integrity, perseverance, empathy, and appreciation for life’s small wonders. . . The Gift of the Broken Teacup is a treasure trove of mindfulness where readers can find inspiration and cultivate peace within their lives.“
— Booklist

“Recommended for elementary collections where mindfulness-based stress reduction and social-emotional learning through yoga and meditation are popular.”
— School Library Journal