*Review* Your Joy is Beautiful by Zahabiyah Yamasaki

 

Genre: Children's 3-8 years

Published: May 17, 2023

Pages: 40

Perfect for use in the therapy office or early-learning classroom, and as a gift for baby showers and birthdays, Your Joy Is Beautiful is an awe-inspiring book for all children and their adults.

“I love the compassion you have in your spirit. It ripples out to the world and all who are near it.”

Your Joy Is Beautiful is an endearing and affirming picture book that reminds children of the joy that exists within and around them, helping them feel seen and celebrated. Showcasing diverse families and children of all backgrounds, lived experiences, and abilities, it reveals the magic in the seemingly small—but sacred—everyday moments in our busy lives.

By giving children the language of compassion, kindness, and empathy, we can let them know that they are enough. That they are worthy and deserving of love just as they are. Let’s remind them of the power they hold to create a ripple effect of good out into the world.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This was a cute rhyming story that showcases all the different ways a child can be great, even when they don't necessarily fit the "normal" mold. Showing kids that they all have something to bring to the table is such a great lesson, especially for children who may struggle with self-worth, or who are more noticeably different from their peers. 

I love how many inclusive children's books I'm finding now. I know there are people who would claim that they are just woke brainwashing, but I just can't see how messages of acceptance of everyone is really that woke or brainwashing. I mean, those same people are the one's claiming #alllivesmatter, so they should be on board with children's books that focus on acceptance of the "different." I would definitely read this book several times, especially because the rhymes were fun. Overall I give Your Joy is Beautiful 4.9475 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Zabie Yamasaki, MEd, RYT (she/her) is a trauma-informed yoga instructor and trainer, resilience and well-being educator, and sought-after consultant and keynote speaker. Her organization, Transcending Sexual Trauma through Yoga, offers trauma-informed yoga to survivors, consultation for universities and trauma agencies, and training for healing professionals. Zabie has trained thousands of yoga instructors and mental health professionals, and her holistic curriculum is now being implemented at over 40 college campuses. Her work has been highlighted on CNN, NBC, KTLA 5, and The Huffington Post. She is also the author of Trauma-Informed Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault book and card deck. She lives in Los Angeles with her beloved partner, son, and their dog, Jack.

To learn more about her work, visit www.zabieyamasaki.com or find her on Instagram (@transcending_trauma_with_yoga).

Eve Andry (they/she) is a Xicana artist and facilitator. They deeply believe in creativity as a powerful way to tell stories. They have shared their love of art-making with their community for over ten years. In their workshops, Eve compassionately guides participants to use the language of art to express themselves authentically. They love to use color and light as a way to inspire, connect, and heal.

To learn more about their work, visit www.eveandry.com or find them on Instagram (@embody.create.heal).