I wrote this poem in one sitting in 2010; I scribbled it on the back of MapQuest directions 👵🏻. I wrote the alphabet at the top of the page so I could easily choose words that rhymed. At the time, I reached out to a few local publishers, but with no bites or interest, I tucked it in a drawer to be forgotten. Many, many years (and five houses) later, I was cleaning out papers for recycling when I stumbled upon it. I blew the dust off and showed it to my partner, Adam, who encouraged me to do something with it. I was weeks away from self-publishing on Amazon when, in a serendipitous moment, Genevieve with Pownal Street Press (PSP) reached out. With some editing and encouragement from PSP, the story morphed into something new, but the essence stayed the same. My goal was to create a story that connected parents and their kids through yoga. I wanted to inspire (...trick?) kids to do yoga, move their bodies and breathe deeply. For those who already do yoga, you know the benefits for the mind and body, this story is for you. For those who don’t do yoga and don’t know where to start, you’ll find accessible poses with fun images, this story is for you. For the parent who wants a cute, interactive story that can be read in bed or in an active space, this story is for you. Let’s build movement into our day-to-day lives. Movement and yoga can be fun! Fitness can be fun! Fitness isn’t (and shouldn't be) punishment! It’s something we can do to feel better, be healthier and live longer. I want to encourage movement to be a part of who you are, who you're becoming and who you aspire to be. As a new mom, I see what a gift it is to share the experience of movement with my child. My heart just beams with pride and excitement when I see my son take on new movements and try new things. "Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers" takes readers through a yoga sequence. Yep, that’s right! Those poses are in order, my friend! They aren’t just for the story! They move in a logical order. Grounding, Sun Salutation, Balancing, and Deep Rest. You can even learn the names of the poses at the end of the book! And keep an eye out for that gorilla. Is he a part of your imagination or is he real? Or maybe your imagination IS real? His presence will be felt in one way or another on every single page. And the greater meaning behind his presence? Gorillas are an indicator species, which means that their existence in any area represents a healthy ecosystem. We want to see the gorilla! Make sure you keep an eye out for him.