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Mop Rides the Waves of Life: A Story of Mindfulness and Surfing
If only life could be like surfing! Having "funny" hair and being embarrassed in school is hard, but when little surfer Mop studies the lessons of the waves--breathing, letting the bad waves go by, and riding the good ones--he learns how to bring the mindfulness and joy of surfing into his whole life.
Celebrated San Francisco surfer-journalist-dad Jaimal Yogis teaches 4-8 year olds timeless beach wisdom with the story of Mop, a sensitive and fun-loving kid who just wants to be in the ocean.
Going to school and navigating classmates can be hard--but all that goes away when little surfer Mop paddles out in the waves. With a few tips from his clever mom, Mop studies the wisdom of the water and learns to bring it into his life on land: taking deep breaths, letting the tough waves pass, and riding the good ones all the way. With newfound awareness and courage, Mop heads back to land--and school--to surf the waves of life.
With stylish full-color beachy illustrations from cover to cover.
Celebrated San Francisco surfer-journalist-dad Jaimal Yogis teaches 4-8 year olds timeless beach wisdom with the story of Mop, a sensitive and fun-loving kid who just wants to be in the ocean.
Going to school and navigating classmates can be hard--but all that goes away when little surfer Mop paddles out in the waves. With a few tips from his clever mom, Mop studies the wisdom of the water and learns to bring it into his life on land: taking deep breaths, letting the tough waves pass, and riding the good ones all the way. With newfound awareness and courage, Mop heads back to land--and school--to surf the waves of life.
With stylish full-color beachy illustrations from cover to cover.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published June 30, 2020
About the author
Jaimal Yogis
21 books201 followersJaimal Yogis is the author of numerous books including Saltwater Buddha, The Fear Project, and All Our Waves Are Water, which have been internationally praised and translated into numerous languages. More recently he has been writing children's books like Mop Rides the Waves of Life, which was named a 2020 Favorite by the Children's Book Review and one of the best sportsbooks for all ages by Book Riot. The next picture book in the series, Mop Rides the Waves of Change, comes out this July from Parallax Press and Penguin Random House, and his middle-grade graphic novel series, City of Dragons, also releases this fall, 2021, from Scholastic. Jaimal's award-winning journalism has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, ESPN Magazine, The Atlantic, and many others. He lives near San Francisco's Ocean Beach with his wife Amy and their three boys.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 8, 2020
Mop Rides the Waves of Life is a lovely story about mindfulness and a little boy who likes to surf!
Mop loves to surf, a lot! Our friend is having issues with feeling bad and insecure, so he turns to mindfulness to feel better. If he learned to surf life then he'd be able to enjoy life more, just like how he enjoys surfing. He learns how to be mindful, breathing mindfully and relaxing. Then life's big waves aren't so tough.
I think this is an important and good way to introduce mindfulness to younger folks. Learning how to deal with life's tough situations is key to a healthy mind! And I think a book like this is just the way to do it - simple, fun pictures and easy to understand.
The illustrations are soft, simple and lovely. The colour tones are very friendly and welcoming, and I have to say I really connected with them! I think it fit the story very well.
Three out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Parallax Press for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest reviews.
Mop loves to surf, a lot! Our friend is having issues with feeling bad and insecure, so he turns to mindfulness to feel better. If he learned to surf life then he'd be able to enjoy life more, just like how he enjoys surfing. He learns how to be mindful, breathing mindfully and relaxing. Then life's big waves aren't so tough.
I think this is an important and good way to introduce mindfulness to younger folks. Learning how to deal with life's tough situations is key to a healthy mind! And I think a book like this is just the way to do it - simple, fun pictures and easy to understand.
The illustrations are soft, simple and lovely. The colour tones are very friendly and welcoming, and I have to say I really connected with them! I think it fit the story very well.
Three out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Parallax Press for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest reviews.
March 13, 2020
3,5/5. Another book about kids dealing with emotion. There is a lot of them out there and this one was okay but not among the best I've seen. A bit too long to make his point and aboard mostly just three emotions. I really like the simple art style which was beautiful. Nothing really new but a decent book!
April 26, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Parallax Press for this free ARC in return for my honest review. Cannot say this is one of my favorites. I find the illustrations childish (of course this is aimed for 4-8 year olds), but they did little to enhance the story which is about your emotions and getting them under control and not to lash out when something does not go your way, There are a lot of books out there on this very topic and this is sort of a middle of the pack read.
August 10, 2020
"Mop Rides the Waves of Life" is the story of a little boy named Mop, who feels totally at home surfing the waves and being in the ocean. He feels more "at sea" when he's on land trying to navigate school and bullies. When he has a terrible day, Mop learns that by not staying calm, everything will get a lot worse. His savvy mom shows him that by taking a step back and practicing mindfulness, Mop can begin to ride the waves of life, the good and the bad, just as well as he shreds the real waves in the ocean.
This book is a wonderful introduction to mindfulness, something that we can all use, especially these days. I love how the author is able to take an idea like mindfulness that can be a little bit complicated and breaks it down so it's easily understood by little ones. I know that I have invoked Mop's name a lot already with my little ones when they're having trouble making good decisions about what they should or should not act out about. Between the sweet lesson and the gorgeous illustrations, this book is one that gets a lot of mileage in my house with my five year old girls. This book would be a great pick for anyone with little ones looking for some gentle guidance.
This book is a wonderful introduction to mindfulness, something that we can all use, especially these days. I love how the author is able to take an idea like mindfulness that can be a little bit complicated and breaks it down so it's easily understood by little ones. I know that I have invoked Mop's name a lot already with my little ones when they're having trouble making good decisions about what they should or should not act out about. Between the sweet lesson and the gorgeous illustrations, this book is one that gets a lot of mileage in my house with my five year old girls. This book would be a great pick for anyone with little ones looking for some gentle guidance.
May 7, 2020
I thought this was a sweet book and very relevant for parenting my three-year-old child at the moment. This book provides a great learning opportunity for children to learn mindfulness, how our behaviors affect others and about self-reflection. Children in the targeted age range of 4 to 8 years old are dealing with a lot of big emotions and this gives them a visual opportunity to see how those emotions can play out via surfing waves. I love that Mop’s mom used something he loves to teach him about the emotions he experiences. This could even help parents adjust the techniques to suit their children’s interest; for example, cars on a hilly road.
My favorite part of the story is Mop’s hair. Absolutely adorable!!
Thank you to Netgalley, Parallax Press and Jaimal Yogis for an advanced copy of this book. #MopRidestheWavesofLife #NetGalley
My favorite part of the story is Mop’s hair. Absolutely adorable!!
Thank you to Netgalley, Parallax Press and Jaimal Yogis for an advanced copy of this book. #MopRidestheWavesofLife #NetGalley
April 21, 2021
“When happy feelings come, enjoy them. But when happy feelings go, smile and keep paddling. There are always more good waves coming.”
If you know kids who’ve been experiencing some scary-grouchy-sad-mad waves, they need Mop in their lives!
Mop Rides the Waves of Life is #kidlit that inspires mindfulness and self-control!
Adding this to my SEL list for sure!
If you know kids who’ve been experiencing some scary-grouchy-sad-mad waves, they need Mop in their lives!
Mop Rides the Waves of Life is #kidlit that inspires mindfulness and self-control!
Adding this to my SEL list for sure!
April 17, 2020
A beautifully illustrated picture book designed to introduce children to mindfulness. This is a book that could certainly help parents and children discuss how to best deal with negative emotions as the main character Mop learns how to deal with the ups and downs of everyday life. Very cute and unique.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.
April 10, 2020
I love sweet Mop and his hair! I liked that the mother took something that Mop likes to do and turned it into a learning experience for live. He seemed to take in the information faster and used it in several different situations at school. I think many parents could use this technique with something special to their children. I like the simple but pretty artwork.
While there are some editing errors within the writing that need to be fixed, I overall liked this story. I think it would be a good book for children going through changes or early school age children with differing opinions from their friends.
I was given this ebook to read from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
While there are some editing errors within the writing that need to be fixed, I overall liked this story. I think it would be a good book for children going through changes or early school age children with differing opinions from their friends.
I was given this ebook to read from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2020
Publishers Synopsis:
If only life could be like surfing! Having “funny” hair and being embarrassed in school is hard, but when little surfer Mop studies the lessons of the waves—breathing, letting the bad waves go by, and riding the good ones—he learns how to bring the mindfulness and joy of surfing into his whole life.
Celebrated San Francisco surfer-journalist-dad Jaimal Yogis teaches 4-8 year olds timeless beach wisdom with the story of Mop, a sensitive and fun-loving kid who just wants to be in the ocean.
Going to school and navigating classmates can be hard—but all that goes away when little surfer Mop paddles out in the waves. With a few tips from his clever mom, Mop studies the wisdom of the water and learns to bring it into his life on land: taking deep breaths, letting the tough waves pass, and riding the good ones all the way. With newfound awareness and courage, Mop heads back to land—and school—to surf the waves of life.
With stylish full-color beachy illustrations from cover to cover.
Review:
Initially I was wondering why there was such a specific age range that this book was aimed at. Not because it’s a bad thing, I actually prefer it as a review, but it caught my eye because I don’t see it often. But after reading the book I understand completely. The entire book is based on a metaphor, and younger children will not understand this concept.
I love this book! I grew up surfing with dad, so this book is absolutely perfect for little Aussie kids! It teaches kids the important lesson about learning and growing in life and navigating the crazy obstacles (waves) in life that range from emotions, to bullying.
Um five gold stars to the illustrator for the diversity of the school children! YASS YASS YASS! Additionally, the waves represented as fear, anger and sadness are genius. I don’t remember what it was like as a child but that is a perfect summation of life as an adult.
The book is perfect, the illustrations are perfect. I want copies for all the little Aussie surfers in my life. Brilliant!
My sincerest thanks to Netgalley and Parallax Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
5/5 Stars
If only life could be like surfing! Having “funny” hair and being embarrassed in school is hard, but when little surfer Mop studies the lessons of the waves—breathing, letting the bad waves go by, and riding the good ones—he learns how to bring the mindfulness and joy of surfing into his whole life.
Celebrated San Francisco surfer-journalist-dad Jaimal Yogis teaches 4-8 year olds timeless beach wisdom with the story of Mop, a sensitive and fun-loving kid who just wants to be in the ocean.
Going to school and navigating classmates can be hard—but all that goes away when little surfer Mop paddles out in the waves. With a few tips from his clever mom, Mop studies the wisdom of the water and learns to bring it into his life on land: taking deep breaths, letting the tough waves pass, and riding the good ones all the way. With newfound awareness and courage, Mop heads back to land—and school—to surf the waves of life.
With stylish full-color beachy illustrations from cover to cover.
Review:
Initially I was wondering why there was such a specific age range that this book was aimed at. Not because it’s a bad thing, I actually prefer it as a review, but it caught my eye because I don’t see it often. But after reading the book I understand completely. The entire book is based on a metaphor, and younger children will not understand this concept.
I love this book! I grew up surfing with dad, so this book is absolutely perfect for little Aussie kids! It teaches kids the important lesson about learning and growing in life and navigating the crazy obstacles (waves) in life that range from emotions, to bullying.
Um five gold stars to the illustrator for the diversity of the school children! YASS YASS YASS! Additionally, the waves represented as fear, anger and sadness are genius. I don’t remember what it was like as a child but that is a perfect summation of life as an adult.
The book is perfect, the illustrations are perfect. I want copies for all the little Aussie surfers in my life. Brilliant!
My sincerest thanks to Netgalley and Parallax Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
5/5 Stars
March 29, 2020
I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Parallax Press in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a really sweet book about feelings. I love the comparison Mop’s mom makes about waves and feelings and how sometimes you are going to get waves you don’t like, and you just wait them out and ride the next one. This kind of comparison really helps kids understand their emotions and how to deal with them.
I also love Mop’s hair it is awesome!
#MopRidestheWavesofLife #NetGalley
I thought this was a really sweet book about feelings. I love the comparison Mop’s mom makes about waves and feelings and how sometimes you are going to get waves you don’t like, and you just wait them out and ride the next one. This kind of comparison really helps kids understand their emotions and how to deal with them.
I also love Mop’s hair it is awesome!
#MopRidestheWavesofLife #NetGalley
March 14, 2020
I absolutely adored this title! I reside in a beach town, so this was right up my kid's alley in a lot of ways. Mop learns how to take the practices of surfing and apply them to the ups and downs of every day life. It is completely normal and okay to have negative feelings, and children especially struggle with how to cope with them. After Mop has a series of bad days, his mom helps me readjust his way of thinking to let the bad emotions pass him by. I really loved the morale of this story, I found the illustrations to be bright and whimsical, and the writing to be perfect for my five year olds to be able to read and follow. Highly recommended!
May 17, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Parallax Press through NetGalley.
Mop loves surfing and appreciates the power and changes that come with this sport. He's happy on the water. However, at school, Mop has some tough times and acts out of his negative emotions before thinking - pushes a friend, knocks down some blocks, etc. His mom explains that life can be like surfing. Emotions are like waves that we can ride or let carry us under. She offers the tip to breathe deeply and let the wave go before acting and responding.
Clever analogy for younger readers and an excellent explanation of how emotions flow through us. Illustrations are detailed and fun to see.
Mop loves surfing and appreciates the power and changes that come with this sport. He's happy on the water. However, at school, Mop has some tough times and acts out of his negative emotions before thinking - pushes a friend, knocks down some blocks, etc. His mom explains that life can be like surfing. Emotions are like waves that we can ride or let carry us under. She offers the tip to breathe deeply and let the wave go before acting and responding.
Clever analogy for younger readers and an excellent explanation of how emotions flow through us. Illustrations are detailed and fun to see.
March 20, 2020
It's a timeless book everyone should read. Simply put with nice illustration and crisp. It does build the sense of how one can simply tackle small disruptions in their lives and stay happy.
March 18, 2020
Actual rating - 3.5.
May 18, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Parallax Press/Plum Blossom for the digital review copy.
Meet Mop. Mop loves to surf. Spending time in the waves is Mop’s favorite activity, and though he likes school okay, too, his week isn’t going so hot. He loses his temper with a friend, gets teased in class, and even runs out of his favorite cereal. When it’s time to hit the waves on Thursday, his mom explains that he can surf in life just like he surfs in the waves. Mop doesn’t think there’s much to that, but when she explains the waves as feelings and emotions (that are perfectly normal to have), that you can surf through them by breathing through the feelings and being present in the moment. Once the moment passes, you still may feel those things, but you’ve made it through them just like the waves. When Mop tries it on Friday, he’s amazed at how different his world and emotions seem.
There are so many great kids books out now that I wish were available when I was little and not learning to deal with my emotions. There are concepts in this book that it’s taken me almost 34 years and therapy to understand and start practicing. I think this book will help kids get a great start on mindfulness, and in the long run, it will help them be better developed and mentally healthy.
Other things I loved about this book include the art. I love that all of the kids’ heads are huge, that way, Mop’s hair doesn’t look as out of place, even though it gets made fun of a little bit. I love the late 60s animation vibe I got from all of the art work. Simple line drawings with vibrant color and detailed facial features. It’s a good look, for sure. Great summer vibes, and any time is a good time to start learning about mindfulness.
This one comes out at the end of June, just in time for summer beach trips! Keep an eye out for it at your favorite book store or request it from your local library.
June 24, 2020
Surfing Your Emotions
This is a simple yet colorfully Illustrated book that is meant to help children handle difficult emotions better. First, we see our young main character, Mop, as he is doing one of his favorite activities, surfing. Over the next week, he has some difficulties at school with handling his emotions when things happen that bother him. His mother then takes him out surfing and tells him that he can surf through life like he rides the waves. First, she recommends that he focus on his breathing, thinking of it like waves coming in and out. Then she suggests that difficult emotions are like a bad wave—specific ones nicely shown in the illustration as curls in the wave—that you should just let pass by. Happy emotions can be ridden like a good wave. Later when Mop has an embarrassing moment in class, he is able to pull up this metaphor to help him react better. The book ends with all the kids apologizing and being kind to each other. If you have a child who tends to act out negative emotions, this might teach a good lesson through the metaphor or at least open up a discussion about what can often be a tricky topic for parents and children.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readngfanaticreviews.com
This is a simple yet colorfully Illustrated book that is meant to help children handle difficult emotions better. First, we see our young main character, Mop, as he is doing one of his favorite activities, surfing. Over the next week, he has some difficulties at school with handling his emotions when things happen that bother him. His mother then takes him out surfing and tells him that he can surf through life like he rides the waves. First, she recommends that he focus on his breathing, thinking of it like waves coming in and out. Then she suggests that difficult emotions are like a bad wave—specific ones nicely shown in the illustration as curls in the wave—that you should just let pass by. Happy emotions can be ridden like a good wave. Later when Mop has an embarrassing moment in class, he is able to pull up this metaphor to help him react better. The book ends with all the kids apologizing and being kind to each other. If you have a child who tends to act out negative emotions, this might teach a good lesson through the metaphor or at least open up a discussion about what can often be a tricky topic for parents and children.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readngfanaticreviews.com
April 29, 2021
Mop is a young surfer who is having a bad week. Someone at school made fun of him so he pushed him into the sandbox. It didn't make him feel better. Other bad things happen. His mom tells him you're great at surfing but have you ever tried to surf life? breathe mindfully and notice your emotions. just breathe and let those negative emotions pass. "Falling is the best way to learn" is a marvelous quote. she tells him, enjoy the happy feelings. but when they go, keep paddling. in other words, ride the good waves, and let the bad ones cruise by. then a classmate makes fun of Mop. He felt his breathing and let his anger pass. this is really easy for even little ones to understand.
September 29, 2021
A simple story that elegantly ties together SEL concepts like mindfulness and self-control with environmental responsibility in a kid-friendly way. The illustrations are adorable (the main character is called "Mop" for a reason), and multicultural. Recommended purchase for children's collections, be sure to have a copy on hand for Earth Day storytimes.
October 9, 2021
Mop learns to manage his emotions rather than throwing sand and his ukulele at people's heads. He goes to school, surfs, plays in a rock band and organizes a beach clean-up concert. An explosion of characters and themes (mindfulness, emotions, school time, misbehavior, environmentalism, sea turtles, surfing, rock bands) that muddles up the message. Wipeout!
June 18, 2022
This is a children's book but it is so sweet and powerful at the same time, with a message that should resonate with anyone of any age who sometimes struggles riding the waves of life. I gave it as a gift and the recipient loved it.
April 15, 2021
I like how it tries to focus on mindfulness but the surfing and everything else get in the way.
September 23, 2021
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was cute. The story was okay if not wholly original. But I loved the art, especially mop's hair.
This book was cute. The story was okay if not wholly original. But I loved the art, especially mop's hair.
April 29, 2023
Mop loves to surf. So his mom encourages him to ride the waves of life by thinking of his feelings as waves. Fun illustrations. Great for teaching mindfulness. Recommended.
May 29, 2020
It is a book about dealing with your emotions. Mop likes to surf. His mom teaches him how feelings are like waves and let the stormy waves (angry, sadness) pass and wait for the happy waves to come. Illustrations were good.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
January 10, 2022
Children's picture book about a young boy who likes to surf and has some trouble with kids at school. His mom, who's into meditation, teaches him the concept of emotions being like waves on the ocean and he uses this in his next troubling encounter. This potentially complex topic was explained in a simple, graspable way that kids could actually put to use themselves. More mindfulness, less reactivity — good message. And the artwork was perfect, not too busy but containing enough to be interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley, Parallax Press and Jaimal Yogis for an advanced copy of this book. #MopRidestheWavesofLife #NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley, Parallax Press and Jaimal Yogis for an advanced copy of this book. #MopRidestheWavesofLife #NetGalley
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews