One Year Wiser: An Illustrated Guide to Mindfulness - Softcover

Mike Medaglia is a cartoonist, illustrator, and comics editor. He has drawn comics on the theme of meditation for The Huffington Post and The Elephant Journal, and he posts regular illustrated meditations at oneyearwiser.com. Medaglia lives in Reading, England.
 

Gr 7 Up—Medaglia takes readers on a journey from spring to winter, each season illuminating ideas related to mindfulness. These concepts include valuing oneself, practicing gratitude, and coming to grips with impermanence. Through clear, conversational prose and skillful artwork, the author/illustrator outlines ways in which meditation can help deal with struggles such as anxiety and anger. Each section culminates with a variety of practical exercises. Medaglia's drawing style ranges from realistic to cartoonish, blending concrete and abstract images. The simplicity advocated by the text is reflected in the clarity of the illustrations and the generous use of white space. The various sections are almost entirely monochromatic, varying only occasionally, most chiefly in the depiction of pink hearts that jump out of the otherwise cool-colored backgrounds—a subtle choice that emphasizes the importance of love and relationships. VERDICT This is an excellent read for beginners interested in mindfulness as well as current practitioners looking for new exercises and a fresh, beautifully illustrated perspective on the topic.—Emily Butler, Deerfield Academy, MA