Janet S. Wong - Author of Acclaimed Children's Books - Janet Wong's Books

Children have been doing yoga for centuries in India and, indeed, the art in this book took its inspiration from the world of ancient Indian miniature paintings. Did you know that the intense yellow pigment used in those ancient paintings was obtained by feeding mangos to cows (and then collecting their urine)? Julie Paschkis, the illustrator of Night Garden: Poems from the World of Dreams and Knock on Wood: Poems about Superstitions, shares this tidbit and other interesting facts in an interview with Janet Wong, hosted by Elaine Magliaro of Blue Rose Girls.

Janet wrote this book as a gift for Julie years before the current children’s yoga craze swept this country—but now there are thousands of young yogis out there with a book that celebrates the spirit of their favorite activity. Janet and Julie had just finished working on Knock on Wood and Janet wanted to offer Julie an irresistible subject for their third collaboration. Since Julie is an avid practitioner of yoga, Janet suspected that Julie would be passionate about painting the images for this book and, luckily, she was!

TWIST entices children to try yoga—and to think about how they feel in the poses—to stretch their bodies and minds.

Reviews & Comments

"This collection of 16 poems touches on the uplifting and emotional aspects of yoga, putting words to the spirit of the poses and evoking the energy and feelings of the practice. Wong's simple verses read almost like haiku, using imagery to get to the essence of the positions, rather than teaching how to perform them. On each spread, Paschkis's watercolor paintings frame both the poem and a child performing the pose with colorful fauna, flora, and people that suggest India as well as that particular exercise. The youngsters are varied ethnically though all wear clothing with Indian colors and patterns. The words and images blend together effortlessly, with energy and beauty."
--School Library Journal

"Your family will get moving and stretching with this inspiring poetry collection. Become a slithering cobra, a roaring lion, or a warrior. Stunning illustrations by Julie Paschkis depict principal yoga poses and the animals they represent."
--Scholastic Parent & Child

Ordering Information

TWIST: Yoga Poems
By Janet S. Wong
Illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date: March 2007
ISBN: 978-0689873942; $17.99
Ages 4-8

This book is available at your local independent children's book store or online at::


			TWIST: Yoga Poems Feel the damp soil beneath you as Cobra, and grab hold of a star as Half-Moon. From Low Crow to Eagle and from Triangle to Tree, yoga comes alive...

		Children have been doing yoga for centuries in India and, indeed, the art in this book took its inspiration from the world of ancient Indian miniature paintings. Did you know that the intense yellow pigment used in those ancient paintings was obtained by feeding mangos to cows (and then collecting their urine)? Julie Paschkis, the illustrator of Night Garden: Poems from the World of Dreams and Knock on Wood: Poems about Superstitions, shares this tidbit and other interesting facts in an interview with Janet Wong, hosted by Elaine Magliaro of Blue Rose Girls. Janet wrote this book as a gift for Julie years before the current children’s yoga craze swept this country—but now there are thousands of young yogis out there with a book that celebrates the spirit of their favorite activity. Janet and Julie had just finished working on Knock on Wood and Janet wanted to offer Julie an irresistible subject for their third collaboration. Since Julie is an avid practitioner of yoga, Janet suspected that Julie would be passionate about painting the images for this book and, luckily, she was! TWIST entices children to try yoga—and to think about how they feel in the poses—to stretch their bodies and minds. Reviews & Comments "This collection of 16 poems touches on the uplifting and emotional aspects of yoga, putting words to the spirit of the poses and evoking the energy and feelings of the practice. Wong's simple verses read almost like haiku, using imagery to get to the essence of the positions, rather than teaching how to perform them. On each spread, Paschkis's watercolor paintings frame both the poem and a child performing the pose with colorful fauna, flora, and people that suggest India as well as that particular exercise. The youngsters are varied ethnically though all wear clothing with Indian colors and patterns. The words and images blend together effortlessly, with energy and beauty." --School Library Journal "Your family will get moving and stretching with this inspiring poetry collection. Become a slithering cobra, a roaring lion, or a warrior. Stunning illustrations by Julie Paschkis depict principal yoga poses and the animals they represent." --Scholastic Parent & Child Ordering Information TWIST: Yoga Poems By Janet S. Wong Illustrated by Julie Paschkis Margaret K. McElderry Books Publication date: March 2007 ISBN: 978-0689873942; $17.99 Ages 4-8 This book is available at your local independent children's book store or online at:: Amazon.com BookSense.com
			Copyright © 1999 Janet S. Wong. All Rights Reserved.