Gorilla poses for wee yogis

Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers
by Megan McDougall / illustrated by Hayley Lowe

Charlottetown: Pownal Street Press, 2025
$24.95 / 9781998129232

Reviewed by Ron Verzuh

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When I was growing up in small town BC, the only place a kid might have seen yoga practiced was in someone’s home. There were no Hindu temples in sight and no yoga classes at the local community centre. In fact, there was little evidence that yoga even existed.

Today everyone can do yoga anywhere. To my pleasant surprise my great granddaughter knows all about it. Like the authors of this book her teachers encourage her to follow the yoga poses on the wall in the school gym. 

Writer Megan McDougal and artist Hayley Lowe, both Vancouver-based creatives, taught the ancient spiritual and physical practice to their pre-school and kindergarten students, so their children’s book is well-informed and well-intentioned. 

First, we are introduced to a mom and a child: “She asked me one day to try something new. ‘It helps you stay healthy and it’s really fun too!’” The child is reluctant, but Mom’s smile and nudge is an encouragement. So begins an adventure to yoga class. 

Next, the child, who could be a boy or a girl—the authors are careful to be inclusive—is given a yoga mat that “ignites magic” in their mind. Soon the child, is immersed in “a journey into our minds.”

Breathing exercises are next as the journey begins when “Our branches reach up, way up to the sky. Towards distant planets and where the birds fly.” This child’s mind travels to a distant jungle with tigers, cockatoos, gorillas, and wild pigs. “Quickly I see that this pig is not wild. In fact, this pig is really quite mild.”  

Each frame enhances the jungle imagery. On one page, we see a group of monkeys eating bananas while watching ‘Petflix’ on TV. In another, the child is dancing with apes: “this jungle’s magic is clear.” In still others, they are flying like airplanes, posing as butterflies, and listening to a gorilla rock band. 

Near the end, we return to breathing exercises. “I don’t move a muscle. Away from the jungle of hustle and bustle.” All the jungle animals are gone and the class ends. At home it is bedtime. 

As sleep comes, the child imagines deep-sea diving with a gorilla surrounded by an octopus, fish, and underwater flora: “As I drift off, she gently tucks me in. My eyes slowly close; I glimpse her soft, loving grin. The world all around fades into a dream. Until our next adventure, I silently beam.”

Although yoga originated in India, you don’t need to believe in Hinduism, Buddhism, or Jainism to get connected with this millennia-old method of uniting the body, mind, and spirit. All that’s needed is a belief in healthy living. Whether you worship a god or not, it can improve flexibility, relieve daily stress and help develop self-awareness.

As the promotional blurbs note, “this little book. . . sets parents and their little yogis up for a fun, family practice that will leave you in a present moment and ready for whatever comes your way.”

The publisher recommends the book for three- to five-year-old preschoolers and kindergarten students, but I can’t wait to send my slightly older great granddaughter the chart of gorilla poses at the back.

 [Editor’s note: Megan McDougall will launch Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers in Victoria on May 16, 9:30-10:30am. Click on link for details.]

Ron Verzuh is a writer, historian and proud great grandfather. [Editor’s note: Ron has recently reviewed books by Barbara J. Messamore, ošil (Betty Wilson), Nathan Hellner-Mestelman, Dietrich Kalteis, Graeme Menzies, Ron Base and Prudence Emery, and Geoff Mynett for BCR.]

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The British Columbia Review

Interim Editors, 2023-26: Trevor Marc Hughes (non-fiction), Brett Josef Grubisic (fiction and poetry)
Publisher: Richard Mackie

Formerly The Ormsby Review, The British Columbia Review is an online book review and journal service for BC writers and readers. The Advisory Board now consists of Jean Barman, Wade Davis, Robin Fisher, Barry Gough, Hugh Johnston, Kathy Mezei, Patricia Roy, and Graeme Wynn. Provincial Government Patron (since September 2018): Creative BC. Honorary Patron: Yosef Wosk. Scholarly Patron: SFU Graduate Liberal Studies. The British Columbia Review was founded in 2016 by Richard Mackie and Alan Twigg.

“Only connect.” – E.M. Forster