unwind - Hardcover

by Roma W. Zenk (Author), Amanda Myers (Illustrator)

Unwind is a realistic fiction children's picture book with hand drawn and hand painted illustrations. The book is written with an audience of three four and five year olds in mind. The book explores the different ways a child might choose to tune into themselves and wind down during various times of the day. Written in a playful way, the story supports a child's autonomy by representing a variety of temperaments and the unique paths each child takes toward rest. Rest doesn't always have to happen at bedtime.

The narrative follows a series of young children. Some find comfort in quiet solo activities like reading a book. Others prefer the close connection of a caregiver or other children, or even an animal to help them feel safe and calm. The story highlights the importance of emotional-regulation skills, providing experiences children can relate to and imagery that shows compelling expressions though the characters faces and body language.

The book's illustrations have been created by the author's mother, a multi-medium artist. She used soft colors and gentle lines to reinforce the calm and cozy tone of the story.

By showcasing a diverse range of wind down activities, the book offers an opportunity for readers to hopefully reflect on and implement wind down activities into their daily routine.