"The Abcs of Yoga for Kids" November coloring page!

Here is the "The Abcs of Yoga for Kids"coloring page for November.  If you would like to view the entire line of products from "The Abcs of Yoga for Kids", or receive the FREE newsletter, click here.

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" September coloring page

Here is a free coloring page from the book I illustrated for Teresa Ann Power, "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids".  In yoga, focus on breathing is very important.

More Accolades for "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids"!

Check it out!  This video features the book I illustrated, The ABCs of Yoga for Kids, along with other great Parent-Tested/Parent-Approved products!

A Star-Studded Recommendation

Actress Mariel Hemmingway recommends the highly successful book I illustrated, "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". This book has now won 7 awards. I wonder if she'd like my autograph...?


Read more at Midwest Book Review.
Order your copy of The ABCs of Yoga for Kids.

Free SIGNED Book Plates for Gift-Giving!

Buy a copy of my children's book "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" or "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" from Amazon and I will send you a FREE SIGNED book plate that you can affix inside the book for gift-giving.  Just leave me a comment or send me a message, including the address you want the book plate sent to, and I will sign and send the book plate right out to you!

SIGNED books make great GIFTS!

If you order any of the books I have illustrated (click the links on the right margin of this blog), I will personally sign a book plate and drop it in the mail to you in time for the holidays.  I am working on book plate designs for "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", "Little Black Ant on Park Street", and "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!", and will post examples after the weekend.

Illustration Friday - "Focused"

©KathleenRietz
"Yoga keeps us focused and calm."

My 2009 illustrated book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" (written by Teresa Anne Power) has just won its 5th award,the Gold Medal in the Picture Book - Body, Mind & Spirit category in the 2010 Mom's Choice Awards!

You can also read a great review of the book here.

And order the book here.

If you've never tried yoga, it is a great exercise in strength, balance, focus, body awareness, and a great stress reliever. I always leave yoga class with a sense of calm and well-being, and ready for bed!

This post would not be complete without me mentioning one of my favorite sites to visit. It is the site of my friend Polly over at "Yoga is Yummy". Last year I designed a logo for her DVD. You can see her yoga demos, recipes, and even read snippets to nourish your spirit here.

Yoga Coloring Book Winner!

Just after midnite today, I drew the winner of the "ABCs of Yoga for Kids" Coloring Book. The winner is...Kathleen W. of Katydid & Kid! Congratulations. I hope your little one loves coloring and learning the poses!

New Year's Giveaway!

To celebrate the new year and all of my loyal blog followers, I will be giving away a copy of my newly illustrated "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" coloring book. The book contains pages to color with poses for each letter of the alphabet. It is wonderful on its own or as part of the collection, which includes the hardcover book and the poster. All will be available through the publisher's website, or at Amazon.com.


But if you leave a comment on this post anytime now through January 4th, your name will be entered to win a free copy of the book. I will be giving away only one copy, but the drawing will be random and will take place on January 5th, and anyone can win! Good luck, and Happy New Year!

So Much News to Share!

"The ABCs of Yoga For Kids", illustrated by me and written by Teresa Anne Power, just won a second award this year! The book took home a bronze award in the 2009 Moonbeam Children's Books Awards in the Body-Mind-Spirit/Self Esteem category.


The accompanying "The ABCs of Yoga For Kids" Coloring Book is due out next month. Here is a sneak peek from the book:

(You can also download free coloring pages HERE!) While you are visiting the site, order the book and the NEW poster as a gift for the holidays this year!

Lastly, I have just signed a contract with Sylvan Dell Publishing to illustrate a new children's book. The book deals with a very important cause, and I am honored to have been chosen such a task. I cannot reveal too much right now, but I am super-excited, and will reveal more as the book evolves. Meanwhile, check out Sylvan Dell Publishing and their other great books.

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" poster

Because of the success of the book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", this accompanying poster is being released. I believe it will be sold through the official website, as well as Amazon.com. It is meant to be used as a fun poster for kids to hang on their walls, as well as an instructional tool for yoga studios.

Watch for more info on an upcoming "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" coloring book as well.

Today's School Visit for Literacy Week

I was invited by Timber Trails Elementary School in Hoffman Estates, IL, to read and demonstrate yoga poses from my latest illustrated book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". We had a great time! The book was a big hit. I was later informed that one little girl went home and immediately told her mom "We have to order this book, Mom!"

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" wins silver medal!

I am delighted to announce that my latest illustrated children's book "The ABC's of Yoga for Kids" has been awarded a silver medal in the category of Yoga/Pilates by Living Now Book Awards. Yay!

I will be reading from "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" and demonstrating yoga poses with a group of first graders at a local school here in Illinois this Wednesday as the school celebrates Literacy Week.

My current book illustration project, "Little Black Ant at Park Street", should wrap up by the end of May, and I am looking forward to getting back to new projects and blogging again. I miss you all!

Now Available at AMAZON!

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" is now available at Amazon.com!
Meanwhile, the book's author, Teresa Anne Power, is getting ready for another book signing, this time at Mystic Books in Venice, CA. She has been promoting the book locally at yoga studios and book stores.

I am looking forward to promoting the book here in Illinois as soon as I finish illustrating a book I am currently working on ("Little Black Ant at Park Street", Soundprints, 2009). I hope to make "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" available through yoga studios, health food shops, and book stores here in Illinois and nationally. If you know of any venues that would be interested in carrying the book, please email me. I can get books shipped out to you right away!

Also, if you have bought the book and would like for me to post your story or a photo of your child or yoga class using the book, please email me with your information as well! I have already received a few photos and many stories from parents whose kids love the book. I plan to post updates in the future.

Book Signing in Pacific Palisades

Book author Teresa Anne Power and me at the John Thomas Dye school in Pacific Palisades. It went very well! We sold lots of books and the kids had a blast!

The Time Has Come!

Hi Everyone! The time has finally come - I will be flying out to California in just a few short days to attend two book signings for my new illustrated children's book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". One of the signings is at 6:30 Friday evening at Village Books in Pacific Palisades. They will be hosting a kids' pajama party and author Teresa Power and I will be demonstrating yoga poses with the kids and reading from the book. This event is open to the public, so come on out! I would love to meet you!

If you are unable to attend the signing, but would still like to order a book and have it signed, you may click the book icon in the upper right corner of my blog and order the book now. I will be signing books for orders placed this week. (Pls specify who you want the book dedicated to in the referral box when you place your order.)

Update ~ Book Signing

Here is a link to more details about the book signing I will be participating in later this month in Pacific Palisades, CA, with book author Teresa Ann Power. I hope to see some of you there. Get your signed copy of "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids"!

In this photo, Teresa demonstrates yoga poses to children.

The Latest News!

In just a few short weeks, my latest book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" will be making its way all across the country and beyond, and I am SO excited! You can now get your own copy by clicking the link at the bottom of this post, or by clicking the little book icon in the top right corner of this blog page. But here I thought I would give you a little sneak peek inside the book.

I also wanted to announce that I will be at Village Books in Pacific Palisades, California on March 27th for a book signing with the book's author, Teresa Ann Power. We will also be presenting at a school assembly earlier in the day. I will announce future dates here on my blog as they become available.


So here is a peek inside the book. Remember, click on the link at the end of this post and it will take you to the official website where you can order the book for yourself!



The ABCs of Yoga for Kids book is a gentle introduction to simple yoga postures for children. Click here to learn more »

Illustration Friday - "Resolve"

©Kathleen Rietz
I believe that any resolution worth beginning on January 1st is worth beginning anytime. We should all resolve for better health, more peace, and a sunny outlook ahead.

Considering hiring an artist's agent in 2009? Check out my column this month in The Prairie Wind, the online newsletter of the SCBWI-IL. Click here.

Also, order yourself a copy of my latest illustrated book for children, The ABCs of Yoga for Kids, written by Teresa Ann Power and produced by Brookes Nohlgren. Click here!

Aaahhhhh....

That's the sound of me exhaling. I am preparing the final of 57 art files for the children's yoga book, and later today I will send them on their merry way, snugly tucked inside envelopes and cheerfully addressed to the publisher and book designer. This is the image we chose for the back cover of the book. It really hasn't felt much like the holidays for me, and I am looking forward to enjoying some quiet time with friends.

Looking for a last minute gift idea? You can pre-order the book, "The ABC's of Yoga for Kids" by clicking the button on the right hand margin of my blog (or right here). The book will not be sent to you until March, but I think it will be worth your wait!