Little Guides to Big Yogi Wisdom
An illustrated story-led guide to Mindful Living & the Life Wisdom of Yoga for Children, Families & Schools.
AVAILABLE NOW IN AUSTRALIA
Worldwide coming soon
LITTLE GUIDES TO BIG YOGI WISDOM is HERE
Little Guides to Big Yogi Wisdom is an illustrated story led guide to mindful living and the life wisdom of Yoga, designed to help children remember something they already know deep down:
- that they are enough
- that they are safe to feel
- that wisdom lives within them
and that they can always come back to their breath, their body and the quiet knowing inside
This book shares some of yoga's big concepts (through it's Yamas & Niyamas) in a simple story led way. This fun and unique 'treasure hunt style' adventure through nature using immersive language & movement cues, allows children to embody the messages and access their wisdom within. This story invites children to slow down and notice.
For children, this book offers:
- immersive language as the reader becomes the main character in the story.
- moments for self reflection and conversation.
- permission to be exactly who they are
- movement cues and token collecting as ways to embody the messages
- moments of calm they can carry into everyday life
For parents & TEACHERS, this book offers:
- an easeful way into meaningful conversations
- a shared reference point when life feels big
- a reminder that you don’t need to have all the answers
- a story you can gently return to again and again
How Families & Classrooms could use this book:
- Bedtime connection rituals
- Weekly family wellbeing time
- Classroom circle time
- Yoga sessions
- Emotional check-ins
- Creative art reflection
- Calm transition moments
- Homeschool wellbeing curriculum
- School visits to invite the author to guide a story time, movement and wellbeing workshop (School workshops and a parent/child program are in their creation phase)
This book is for the families and teachers who want to raise children who trust themselves and who want to walk that remembering of inner wisdom alongside them.
"Little Guides to Big Yogi Wisdom" will be available in your choice of a e-book, soft cover or hard cover keepsake edition, designed to be held, treasured and revisited — a companion through childhood rather than a one-time read.
Whether shared at bedtime, used as a calm moment during the day, shared in circle time in a classroom or returned to when emotions feel tangled, this book becomes part of a rhythm you set up with the children in your life.
Why This Book is Different
This book is not “woo-woo” or hard to relate to, yoga philosophy. Instead each page is designed to move children from:
→ story with immersive language, journeying through nature
→ understanding of each Yama or Niyama through the animal guides stories
→ reflection and conversation
→ embodiment (guided yoga movement and treasure tokens), helping the wisdom become a lived experience.
Unlike most children’s yoga books that focus on physical poses, Little Guides to Big Yogi Wisdom gently introduces the deeper teachings of yoga through the Yamas and Niyamas — the guiding principles for how we live, connect and understand ourselves. This perspective is rarely explored in children’s books, making it a truly unique offering.
KEEPSAKE BUNDLE
Inclusions - Book + pouch + treasures + Printable companion posters, map and certificate.
The Little Guides to Big Yogi Wisdom Gift Bundle is a lovingly curated keepsake giftset designed to support children in embodying the gentle life lessons within the story. Alongside the hardcover book, this bundle includes a pouch filled with simple nature-inspired treasures, bringing the story to life.
Each element encourages children to:
- Slow down and breathe
- Ground themselves through touch and ritual
- Remember the wisdom they carry within
This special keepsake edition will offer families not just something to read — but something to hold, feel, and remember together.
It's always nice to hear from others...
First here are some of the Grown ups reflections
And now... some of the children's thoughts from my first book reading in a school.
Who this book is for
Parents, Conscious Families
Looking for practical ways to introduce mindfulness, emotional intelligence and yoga wisdom in home life. If you believe children hold deep wisdom, they simply need to the tools and spaces to notice it, then this book is for you.
Teachers & Educators
Seeking structured resources for:
circle time, wellbeing programs, social emotional learning & mindfulness sessions
Children’s Yoga & Wellbeing Professionals
Needing gentle, ready-to-use frameworks that blend story with embodiment of the Yoga principles. If you're looking for a simplified story led way for children to understand the bigger principles of yoga wisdom.
Therapists & Support Professionals
Supporting emotional regulation, reflection and self-awareness through creative and movement-based approaches. A beautiful book to offer your families and clients in wait rooms and sessions.
Thought you might like a peep at the back of the book
THE BIGGER VISION - Future offerings
This book "Little guides to Big Yogi Wisdom" is the beginning of a big heart led vision for creating positive ripple effects within families and child focused communities. Through "Splash of Life" & "The Home Yogi", Mel O'Toole hopes to nurture emotionally aware, compassionate and self connected children by offering stories, experiences and tools that help children recognise their own inner wisdom - whilst also supporting the parents teachers and communities who walk alongside them.
The Companion Reflection Journal-coming soon
A guided workbook designed to deepen the learning from the original book through:
- Reflection prompts for each lesson
- Art and creative expression activities
- Emotional literacy development
- Space for children to process, embody and integrate what they learn
This is not a standalone book — it is a practical companion for "Little Guides to Big Yogi Wisdom" supporting implementation in homes, schools and wellbeing programs.
The next book in the series - coming 2027
(Chakra Story-Led Guide for Children)
An imaginative inner journey helping children understand their emotional world through the wisdom of the body’s energy centres — explained in grounded, accessible language. It will offer children, families, yoga teachers, teachers and care givers a developmentally appropriate introduction to wellbeing through the chakra framework, without overwhelming spiritual language.
School Visits, parent & child workshops, circle gatherings
Wellbeing, Mindfulness, Movement (YOGA), Story time and the Author | Illustrator Journey.
COMING in Late 2026
From the author
Written by an educator of over 20 years, a mother of two boys and a lifelong lover of nature and its quiet wisdom, this book grew from Mel's inspiration during her Yoga teacher training, time on the mat, beach/nature walks and moments of noticing what children truly need most:
To belong.
To breathe.
To remember they are already wise and enough.
Stockists
“Kymba, East Geelong
Ziggy & Kit, Queenscliff
Samsara, Barwon Heads
Lotus Yoga, Queenscliff
Bloom Art, Ocean Grove
Ocean Air Yoga, Geelong
Pure wonder, Geelong
Grow Cafe, Anglesea
River Tree, Ocean grove
Zero Point Yoga, Ocean Grove
Good Girls Read Bookstore, Newtown”
WHOLESALE PRICING
I warmly offer wholesale opportunities (Aus wide) and Consignment options for (Geelong & the Bellarine) for independent bookstores, gift stores and yoga studios who feel aligned with children’s wellbeing, conscious living & Yoga's deep wisdom.
Please reach out to Mel direct via email: support@splashoflife.com.au
What I commonly get asked (FAQs)
Is this a traditional children’s picture book?
Not quite. While the book includes storytelling and beautiful illustrations, it is designed as a story-led wellbeing and yoga philosophy guide. Each page includes reflection, movement or mindfulness elements that invite children to actively engage with the lessons rather than simply read a story.
What age group is the book best suited for?
Ages 4–10 when read with a parent, educator or yoga teacher.
Ages 7–12 for more independent reflection and deeper discussion.
Adults often find the content meaningful too, making it a beautiful shared learning experience.
Do children need yoga experience to use the book?
Not at all. The practices are gentle, accessible and designed for beginners. Families and educators can explore the movements together without any prior yoga background.
Is the book religious or spiritual?
No. The series introduces universal wellbeing concepts such as kindness, honesty, awareness and self-reflection in a grounded, practical and child-friendly way. The focus is on emotional wellbeing, mindful living and everyday life wisdom.
Is this book more for children or for adults guiding children?
Both. The books are intentionally designed for shared learning.
Children connect with the stories and activities, while adults appreciate the structure, guidance and meaningful conversation starters.
ABOUT THE JOURNAL: Do we need the journal to use the main book?
No — the main book stands beautifully on its own.
The companion journal simply offers a deeper layer of reflection, creative expression and integration for families, classrooms and wellbeing programs who want to extend the learning.
Will the journal be suitable for classrooms?
Yes - educators can use the journal as an:
- social emotional learning activities
- mindfulness reflection time
- creative art prompts
- circle time follow-ups
It works well as a structured extension resource.
Can children complete the journal independently?
Some older children may work independently, but younger children benefit most when an adult reads prompts with them and holds space for conversation and reflection.
Is the book suitable for schools or group programs?
Yes - families, educators and yoga teachers can use the books as:
- bedtime or family rituals
- circle time resources
- wellbeing curriculum support
- children’s yoga class frameworks
- home school learning tools
- therapeutic or reflective sessions
Can parents use this even if they’re not confident teaching mindfulness or yoga?
Absolutely. The books are written to gently guide both adults and children through the experience together. You don’t need to be an expert — just open, curious and willing to explore alongside your child.
Will there be more books in the series?
Yes - the series is growing to include additional story-led wellbeing guides, companion resources and themed journeys that help children continue exploring their inner world through movement, reflection and storytelling.
Another space you might find of value
For a number of years I’ve also been co-hosting a podcast for women - a space that gently encourages mothers, creatives and heart-led women to say yes to themselves.
To notice their needs.
To honour their passions.
And to trust the quiet nudges that lead them toward a life that feels more aligned and alive.
In many ways, this podcast has been part of the same path that eventually led to writing this book. Because the message is really the same… That there is wisdom within us, quietly guiding us - if we’re willing to pause and notice. We have 90+ episodes for you to choose from, most within 25 to 45 mins in length.
If that feels like something you’d enjoy, you’re warmly invited to listen here by clicking on the podcast image or simply find GRAB YOUR KEYS AND GO on Spotify, Apple or anywhere you listen to your podcasts.
© Splash of Life & The Home Yogi - Book series
Written and Illustrated by Mel.O'Toole | Ocean Grove, Australia.