A UW-Eau Claire grad put power to the page with her new children's book, Calm and Peaceful Mindful Me, which is being published right here in the Chippewa Valley.

This new illustrated book teaches toddlers and kids step-by-step mindfulness skills. It’s part of a larger series called The Mindful Steps Series – a how-to children’s series that author Andrea Dorn began writing in 2020.

“The series itself was inspired by a need in children’s literature for simple and concrete step-by-step explanations for common transitions and skills typical in child development,” Dorn said.

“The series itself was inspired by a need in children’s literature for simple and concrete step-by-step explanations for common transitions and skills typical in child development.” –author Andrea Dorn

Dorn is a clinical social worker with a specialty in child development, who previously worked at Vantage Point in Eau Claire until her move to South Carolina in 2019. Her new book introduces children to mindfulness, which Dorn defines as intentionally choosing to attend the present moment without judgment or attachment to the moment.

She adds that mindfulness is a fairly abstract concept for children to understand, yet it is a crucial skill to learn and develop social and emotional skills like self-regulation, decision making, and emotional management.

“It is my hope that in reading this book, children will be introduced to this skill in a fun and engaging way,” Dorn said. “And begin to develop a foundational understanding of mindfulness and self-awareness on which to grow and develop over this lifetime.”

Calm and Peaceful Mindful Me includes mindful exercises for both children and adults, including supplemental information to help caregivers use the book more effectively with their children.

Dorn also hopes adult readers will review some of the process questions. Though optional, they were included to help personalize the reading experience, spark open-ended conversations with children, and build and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

The book will be released nationally and internationally on April 13 through PESI Publishing, the parent company of PESI Inc., which was established in 1979 in Eau Claire.

For more information on the series or to learn more about Dorn, visit andreadorn.com or @mindfulstepseries on Instagram.